Recognizing Versatile Collies

This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, August 2014 issue.

Recognizing Versatile Collies

When Collie people say Collies can do everything, they back it up. We’re fortunate to have a breed with no division between working/performance aspects and conformation-titled dogs. We’re also lucky to have a national breed club that supports this concept enthusiastically.

The first program designed to honor the multi-faceted Collie is the Versatility Awards program. When Jim and Judy Smotrel had the idea, they wanted to include dogs that had distinguished themselves both in the breed ring and at performance events.

Because these awards are based on various titles in degrees of difficulty, they reflect all the characteristics essential to our herding breed. Designing the program to please everyone wasn’t easy. Each AKC recognized title has a point value assigned to it, and it had to be passed by the CCA’s (Collie Club of America) Executive Committee.

Initially, there was an insistence that dogs must have a completed Championship to receive the Versatility Award. A compromise was reached: a minimum of one conformation major is necessary, with additional points for a completed championship. Points must be earned in each category: conformation, performance (obedience/tracking/agility), and herding.

Over the years, as titles evolved and new ones were added, adjustments were made. Originally designed as the Versatility Award (VA) and Versatility Excellent (VX) Award, the program’s success led to the introduction of a new level this year: the Grand Versatility (GV).

These hard-earned awards are presented at the CCA National Specialty every year. Typically, before the Rough Specials judging on the last day, recipients gather for the presentation. As the dog and handler gait around the ring, a presenter reads an anecdotal biography of their journey together. Each description conveys the pride and sense of accomplishment of both dog and handler. This year, both the outgoing and incoming presidents of CCA presented the awards. Group photos follow, which are included in the CCA’s National Bulletin Magazine issue, documenting the breed’s diversity, intelligence, and beauty.

Since the program’s inception in 1993, CCA has bestowed a total of 175 Versatility Awards and 83 Versatility Excellent Awards. With the successful growth of the program, eight Grand Versatility titles were presented for the first time this year.

In addition to the Versatility Awards, which recognize lifetime achievements, there is also the Most Versatile Collie (MVC) award given out at the end of the CCA National Specialty show every year. This award is based strictly on performance events during the National Specialty. Competitors for MVC do not have to compete in the breed or be a breed champion, but if they do, points are added to their overall scores.

The competition week is intense, beginning with two days of herding trials, followed by two days of agility trials. The day after agility is dedicated to obedience and rally competition. MVC is a popular and competitive award at the National, and to be eligible, a Collie must register and participate in at least three of the four events offered: breed, obedience/rally, agility, and herding. Points are assigned in each category based on success and difficulty.

At the end of the week, the daunting task of tallying all scores typically falls to Jim and Judy Smotrel. If they cannot attend, another volunteer steps up to count points and determine the Most Versatile Collie, along with all the Qualifiers. Every year, the number of qualifiers grows, and trophies and ribbons are presented on the last day of the National. At the 2014 National Specialty, besides the Most Versatile Collie (MVC), there were 27 qualifiers!

These awards reflect significant hard work, time, training, and money. Achieving these goals requires planning and dedication, not just for a day but for months and sometimes years. Whether a spectator or participant, the camaraderie and sportsmanship among competitors are evident. Exhibitors pose for pictures, smile, and hug each other in celebration of their success. It’s an elite group of handlers and Collies who achieve these titles!!