(Most Versatile German Shepherd Competition at the GSDCA National)
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 a score sheet 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.
Conformation: A dog may compete in the Versatility Sweeps, a sweepstakes class open only to dogs entered in the Versatility Competition, AND in the regular conformation classes. All dogs participating (and not being excused for DQs or temperament), will receive 25 points for participation in the sweepstakes or 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 Sweepstakes: The purpose of offering a Versatility Sweepstakes class is so all Versatility dogs, even those that are spayed or neutered, may compete and earn participation points in conformation. The sweepstakes 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.
Obedience/Rally: Obedience and Rally are combined as one venue since the skills are very similar. However, dogs may earn 2 raw scores in BOTH events. Any two qualifying runs that receive a score from the GSDCA trials, will count as weighted scores towards the total. Obedience Versatility Scores will be computed as 50% of the RAW SCORE plus points. Rally Versatility Scores will be computed as RAW SCORE plus points. Although only two qualifying runs from EACH event (Obedience and Rally) receive a weighted score, all other qualifying runswill receive 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.
Tracking: Tracking is the only sport in whichpoints 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.
For the 2024 Phyllis Dobbs entry form, click here
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)

Winners of the Phyllis Dobbs Competition
2018
PAM GCH Abijah’s Fortune Cookie of Thornrose MJP MXP MX MXJ RN BN HT PT Boundary CGCA CGCU TKI LOAL FDC
Breeders: Jill Lukasik, Sherry & Ken Wilhoit
Owners: Deborah Stern & Jill Lukasik
2019
PAM RV Sabien vom Binderhaus CGC CGCA CGCU TKA THDN RE BN CD FDC BCAT HT HSAd HSDs HSAsM HIAs HIBs HXAs HSBs HSCs HXCsM FSSs FSIs FSXs HRD1s AXP OFP NJP AX AXJ XF 2019 Rally Victrix and Tending Siegerin
Breeder/Owner: Cynthia Binder DVM
2020
PAM OV RV RACH Oceania Von Der Tetiaroa UDX3 OM4 VER RM2 RAE4 AX OAJ MXP2 MJP OF MFP CA SWA SCAE SIAE SEAE SCE SIE SEE SHDA DN CGCU TKE
Trainer/Owner: Patricia Schneiderjohn Bred by Jill Doherty
2021
AGCH MACH5 Stargazer-Ashmead’s Sirius Spitfire VCD3 UDX PCDX OM2 BN GO
Breeder/Trainer/Owner: Kristin Brooks Jones
2022
2022 Herding Victor GCH DC Caisson’s Expensive Gamble v Kezziah RN HSAds HSCs HXCs FDC MX MXB MXJ NAP XF NFP T2B SWN SIA SEA SBA DSX2 DN CGC TKI ATT
Breeders: Julie Degen, Pam Tyler
Owners: Julie Degen, Pam Tyler, Dania Karloff
2023
MACH RACH Crush Von Der Tetiaroa VCD2 RM4 RAE2 PT MX MXB MXJ MJS MFS T2B2 SWEE SWM SCME SHDA DS DJ CGCA TKA
Owner: Cathy Mitchell
2024
PAM-B Denial Vom Feuergarten RN HXCs HSCsM NAP NJP OFP SWM SCEE SIEE SEEE TKN
Breeder: Alexis Brynolfson-Roy Owner: Amanda Piala