Most Versatile German Shepherd Competition at the GSDCA National
Phyllis Dobbs Entry Form (PDF) >>
Phyllis Dobbs Award Recipients >>
In memory of Phyllis Dobbs, who bred, owned, and trained the first Triple Champion in the German Shepherd breed, the Most Versatile German Shepherd Competition at the GSDCA National recognizes those dogs that exemplify true versatility by successfully competing in a variety of events.
The Versatility Competition is open to all AKC registered or listed German Shepherd Dogs. The dogs in the competition must be currently owned by a member of the GSDCA in good standing. Dogs must earn scores at the national in a minimum of three of the following venues: Agility, Conformation, Herding, Obedience/Rally, Scent Work/Tracking. Obedience and rally are considered one venue since the required skills are similar. Scent Work and Tracking will be considered one venue for the purpose of the versatility competition. Competitors must fill out an entry form and submit it by the deadline to ensure being listed in the catalog as being entered in the Versatility Competition. Participants must also fill out and turn in score sheets to the Versatility Chair. Competing dogs will receive a customized participation rosette. The scoring for the competition ends after Best of Breed and the winner will be announced at the Banquet and presented with the Phyllis Dobbs Award.
Agility:
Any two qualifying runs that receive a score (Standard, Jumpers, FAST, Premier) from the two GSDCA days, will count as weighted scores towards the total. Versatility Scores will be computed as RAW SCORE plus points. Although only two qualifying runs receive a weighted score, all other qualifying runs on the GSD only days will receive points. Dogs will receive additional points for MACH and PACH points.
Conformation:
Only GSDCA national classes (not the regional specialty) are part of the Versatility competition. All dogs participating (and not being excused for DQs or temperament), will receive 25 points for participation in any regular class. Class placements will be awarded additional points. Dogs competing in Best of Breed will receive 100 participation points, earning a Select, GV, GVX, or BOB will receive additional points.
Versatility Conformation:
A dog may compete in the Versatility Conformation, a nonregular class open only to dogs entered in the Versatility Competition, AND in the regular conformation classes. The purpose of offering a Versatility conformation class is so all Versatility dogs, even those that are spayed or neutered, may compete and earn participation points in conformation. All dogs participating (and not being excused for DQs or temperament), will receive 25 points for participation in the Versatility conformation class. The Versatility conformation offers two classes, dogs and bitches, and is judged following the Futurity finals.
Herding:
Any two qualifying runs that receive a score (Course A, B, C, D on ducks, sheep, or cattle) from the GSDCA herding trials, will count as weighted scores towards the total. Versatility Scores will be computed as RAW SCORE plus points. Although only two qualifying runs receive a weighted score, all other qualifying runs at the GSDCA herding trials will receive points. In 2026, Herding Instinct will not be offered.
Obedience:
Because multiple Obedience trials are offered, competitors must designate two trials from Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday to be used for the Versatility competition. From those designated trials, any two qualifying runs that receive a numerical score will be used as weighted
scores toward the competitor’s Versatility total. Obedience weighted scores will be calculated as 50% of the raw score, plus applicable points. Although only two qualifying runs will receive a weighted score, all other qualifying runs from the competitor’s two designated Obedience trials
will receive applicable points.
Rally:
Because multiple Rally trials are offered, competitors must designate two trials from Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday to be used for the Versatility competition. From those designated trials, any two qualifying runs that receive a numerical score will be used as weighted scores toward the competitor’s Versatility total. Rally weighted scores will be calculated as the raw score, plus applicable points. Although only two qualifying runs will receive a weighted score, all other qualifying runs from the competitor’s two designated Rally trials will receive applicable points.
Scent Work:
Scent Work is a pass/fail event. A dog may earn points for up to 10 qualifying legs. The dog earns points for Qs along with placements and HITs. In 2026, only the Friday and Saturday trials will count for Versatility points.
Tracking:
Tracking is the only sport in which points are awarded for previously earned titles because the entries are very limited and dogs without titles are given entry priority over dogs that already have earned the titles. Tracking will only count as one the three required venues if dogs are entered and qualify at the National. Dogs entered and qualifying at the National will earn more points than dogs with a previously earned title to encourage people to enter Tracking at the National.
Extras:
IF OFFERED, participants can earn points in Farm Dog, the GSDCA Temperament Certification, Canine Good Citizen, and Trick Dog.
Point Schedule
Every dog must participate at the National in a minimum of 3 starred events, Obedience/Rally count as one event because of the similarity of training, Scent Work/Tracking count as one event because of the skill similarity. Maximum possible points in any one Sport is 800 points.
| Agility* | Conformation* | Herding* | Obedience* | Rally* | Scentwork* | Tracking* | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum of two raw scores PLUS points below for every Q on the two GSDCA days of Agility competition. Plus, for every MACH point earned, the dog will earn 10 points. For every PACH point earned, the dog will earn 5 points. Victo/Victrix earn additional points. | Every participating (not excused) dog receives 25 participation points plus placement or achievement points in Versatility class and Regular Conformation Classes. Dogs competing in BOB will receive 100 participation points plus achievement points. | Maximum of two raw scores PLUS points below for every Q from two GSDCA Trials (Courses A, B, C, D). RHIT, HIT and Victor/Victrix earn additional points. Test level classes (HT, PT) do not earn a raw score, so they receive the below points for Qs. Instinct is not offered in 2026 | Maximum of 50% of two raw scores PLUS points below for every Q from the two GSDCA Trials at the National. Since this is an individual award, Brace and Team classes do not count. | Maximum of two raw scores PLUS points below for every Q from the two GSDCA Trials at the national. Since this is an individual award, Brace and Team classes do not count. | Scentwork is a pass/fail event. A dog may earn points for up to 10 qualifying legs. The dog earns points for Qs along with placements and HITs. | Every entered dog with a Tracking Title will receive points towards the Versatility competition but they must be entered in Tracking at the national for it to be counted as one of the three required venues. Dogs competing and qualifying at the national will earn the below points. | Must be entered and qualify at the National. These are special events that will only be offered if there is enough interest and volunteer help. |
| Agility* | Conformation* | Herding* | Obedience* Regular/Preferred | Rally* | Scentwork* | Tracking* | FDC - 10 |
| Regular | Participation - 25 | HT - 30 | BN - 5 | Novice - 5 | Novice - 10 | Previously Earned Title | TC - 10 |
| Novice - 10 | PT - 60 | Novice - 10/5 | Intermediate - 10 | Advanced - 20 | TD or TDU - 100 | CGC - 10 | |
| Open - 20 | 4th Place - 25 | Open - 30/15 | Advanced - 15 | Excellent - 30 | TDX or VST - 150 | TKN - 5 | |
| Excellent - 30 | 3rd Place - 50 | Started - 10 | Utility - 50/25 | Excellent - 25 | Master - 40 | CT - 250 | TKI - 5 |
| Master - 50 | 2nd Place - 75 | Intermediate - 30 | Grad Novice - 12 | Master - 40 | Detective - 50 | TKA - 10 | |
| T2B - 20 | 1st Place - 100 | Advanced - 50 | Grad Open - 17 | RAE leg - 10 | TKP - 15 | ||
| Prem - 30 | RWD/RWB - 50 | Versatility - 18 | Triple Q - 10 | TKE - 15 | |||
| Preferred | WD/WB - 50 | Veteran - 10 | Choice - 30 | 4th Place - 5 | Qualifying at National | ||
| Novice - 5 | UDX leg - 10 | 3rd Place -10 | TD or TDU - 200 | ||||
| Open - 10 | 2nd Place - 15 | TDX or VST - 300 | |||||
| Excellent - 15 | 1st Place - 20 | CT - 500 | |||||
| Master - 25 | |||||||
| T2B - 10 | Best Of Breed | HIT Novice - 10 | |||||
| Prem - 15 | Participation - 100 | HIT Advanced - 20 | |||||
| MACH pts X10 | Select - 75 | RHIT - 25 | HIT - 50/25 | High Triple Q - 25 | HIT Excellent - 30 | ||
| PACH pts X5 | BOBOH - 50 | HIT - 50 | HC - 50/25 | HC - 25 | HIT Master- 40 | ||
| Agility Victor/Victrix 100 | Grand Victor/Grand Victrix - 100 | Herding Victor/Victrix 100 | Obedience Victor/Victrix 100 | Rally Victor/Victrix 100 | Scentwork Victor/Victrix 100 |
