VERSATILITY
There are several ways that Australian Shepherds and Border Collies can participate in versatility events. A versatility title reflects the accomplishments of a dog in different venues throughout the competitive career of that individual. Versatility awards are presented to dogs that can perform well in multiple venues during a single competitive event, such as a National Specialty. When working towards a versatility title, a handler can choose to work on a single event at a time, but when training for versatility competition, all venues must be trained simultaneously. An additional challenge occurs when multiple events are held on the same day of competition, testing a dog and handler’s ability to change gears and focus on whatever task is presented.
The American Kennel Club has developed a versatility program that grants versatile companion dog titles to dogs that complete degrees in obedience, agility and tracking. The Australian Shepherd Club of America and the Border Collie Society of America (the AKC parent club of the Border Collie) also have versatility and performance programs that track the lifetime achievements of individual dogs. The major difference is that the latter programs emphasize herding ability, requiring advanced level work for the highest titles. This enhances the programs by reflecting the original purpose of the breeds.
Paws Zone’s highest titled versatility dog is Border Collie VCH Atta Boy Floyd. Floyd was the fourth dog in the history of the Border Collie Society of America to earn a BCSA versatility championship.
Australian Shepherd National Specialties are held every year by both USASA and ASCA. USASA Nationals are held in the spring and follow the rules of the American Kennel Club. ASCA Nationals are held in the fall and are governed by ASCA. These events draw Aussie enthusiasts and their dogs from all over the country to gather and compete in a week-long celebration of the Australian Shepherd.
National Specialties offer competitive events in conformation, herding, agility, obedience, tracking and rally. Special awards and recognition are given to the best dogs in each category. However, one of the most prestigious awards is to be named the Most Versatile Aussie (MVA) for the entire specialty.
The goal of the Australian Shepherd versatility competition is to recognize and honor those dogs and handlers who can successfully compete in multiple performance venues while staying true to the original purpose and conformation of the breed. USASA and ASCA have slightly different scoring systems for this award, but the basic premise is the same. To be eligible for an award in versatility, a dog must qualify in at least one herding trial, a performance event (agility, obedience, rally or tracking) and be evaluated against the breed standard for a conformation score while at the National Specialty. Multiple qualifying scores will earn that dog additional points. Extra points are also awarded for successfully competing in more advanced classes.
The USASA Nationals are generally smaller than the ASCA Nationals, but the quality of the competition is very similar. While the top ten qualifying dogs are awarded ASCA placements, only the top four qualifying dogs are awarded USASA placements. It is an accomplishment to qualify in a versatility competition and an honor to earn a placement.
Paws Zone Aussies have been very successful in MVA competition. Allie was Most Versatile Aussie (USASA) in 2001 and qualified in 2001(ASCA), 2004 and 2006(USASA). Following in her mother’s paw prints, Bonus was Most Versatile Aussie (USASA) in 2003 and again in 2006. She also earned third place honors in ASCA in 2006 and was reserve, or second place MVA (USASA) in 2007. Ace has been reserve USASA MVA three times, twice to his litter-mate, Bonus. His top placement in ASCA was eighth in 2006.