September October 2018

after trial set up we will head over to play in the water with our
dogs. Dock jumping should provide a great cool down after building
agility rings.
Zia keeps track of accumulated points earned, by dog, at each
of our trials for our Year End HIT awards. The Year End awards
are exclusively for Zia members. Every year the competition gets
tougher and tougher. But, we’ve kept the competition fun and the
winners are always surprised by the announcement. The 2017
Winners were:
• Carol Konicki and Bang - Tazzie Trophy for HIT Elite
• Pam Smith and Rocker - Indy Award for HIT Elite Veteran
• Doris Hartenberger and Jazz - Freya Award for HIT Elite
Other Breed
• Donna Johnson and Elf - Oakinator Award for HIT Open
• Robin Dettman and Skylar - Rising Star Award for HIT
Novice
It has been another great year for many Zia members. Nine
members and their incredible dogs earned their place in the ASCA
Year End Merits in Agility and Rally.
• Robin Dettman and Skylar: Novice Jumpers, Novice
Regular
• Dawn Hamilton and Rikki: Novice Regular
• Julie Fillinger and Taos: Open Gamblers, Jumpers,
Regular and Novice Rally
• Leslie Goncharoff and Tulie: Open Gamblers, Regular
Affiliate News
• Beth Johnson and Max: Open Jumpers
• Donna Johnson and Elf: Open Gamblers, Regular & Rally
Advanced
• Linda Shoemaker and Maya: Elite Gamblers, Jumpers,
Regular
• Pam Smith and Fizz: Elite Gamblers, Jumpers
• Pam Smith and Rocker: Elite Gamblers, Jumpers, Regular
• Claudia Yearsley and Deuce: Rally Champion
Agility Finals in Bryan were particularly exciting for Club
Zia. Four of our members placed in the top 10 of Agility Finals
Veteran Division. The entire club is very proud of these amazing
teams from New Mexico, Colorado and Texas:
1 st Place Ray Hodel & Boomer
3 rd Place Pam Smith & Rocker
5 th Place Claudia Yearsley & Deuce
10 th Place Ralph Johnson & Sage
Zia Members also did very well in Agility Nationals earning
High in Trial awards:
ACE HIT
Karen Kuffel & Molly
ACE Sr HIT
Mimi Winter & Cor
Open HIT
Julie Fillinger & Taos
Champion of Record HIT Ray Hodel & Boomer
Please visit our website to learn more about our club and the
activities we have planned for the upcoming year. http://www.
ziaaussies.com
See you at 2018 Nationals!
ARE YOU GOING TO DNA YOUR BREEDING DOGS SOON
AND HAVE QUESTIONS?
WHOLE BLOOD IS THE BEST SOURCE OF DNA
If you’re going to the Vet to have blood drawn, please order the tube kit. When you use the tube kit you can also contribute to
the Gene Bank. (What is the Gene Bank you ask? See Registry Rule 2.2.2 at http://www.asca.org/Portals/0/regrules.pdf. See http://
www.asca.org/Portals/0/dnainstbloodtube.pdf.)
PLAN AHEAD
If you are taking your breeding dog(s) to the Vet for a yearly check up, hip evaluation, teeth cleaning or anything else, plan
ahead and have your DNA blood drawn at the same time, it will save you a trip to the vet and an office visit fee.
MORE PLANNING AHEAD
If you’re planning to go to the Nationals, plan on coming to the DNA Committee Annual Blood Draw (if there is one). You can
purchase the kits at the ASCA Booth and volunteers will draw blood for your dog(s) DNA and ship it to the lab for free.
A WORD ABOUT CARDS
When a blood card is used to collect DNA, please do not saturate the card so it bleeds through. Drop a few drops of blood from
the syringe needle onto each of the two circles on the card. Be sure to let the blood dry for 30 to 60 minutes, longer if it’s humid.
See http://www.asca.org/Portals/0/dnainstblood.pdf.
A WORD ABOUT SWABS
When a brush sample is collected properly the bristles will be bent or depressed and likely discolored. Swabs are subject to
contamination. Dogs must be separated and have had no water or food for 30 minutes before you swab. Nursing puppies cannot be
swabbed. Swabs have the highest error rate, meaning there is not enough material on the swab to DNA profile and you will be asked
to resubmit. See http://www.asca.org/Portals/0/dnacheekinst.pdf.
38 AUSSIE TIMES Sepetember-October 2018