Border Terriers are active and versatile dogs. To recognize and preserve these versatile traits and to encourage owners to enjoy them, the BTCA offers the Versatility Awards, which reward the participation in a variety of dog activities.
This award is to recognize a junior with the special bond
with their dog.
This award is to recognize the person or dog that embodies the good character, mentoring abilities, courageousness, and generosity exhibited by Lucy throughout her life.
This award celebrates the humor that occurs sometimes when doing obedience with a Border Terrier.
This award celebrates the humor that occurs sometimes when doing agility with a Border Terrier.
Border Terriers are active and versatile dogs. They were bred to have the skills and drive to excel in the field, and are happiest when working closely with their owners. Modern day Borders and their owners use these skills to compete in the many dogs sports available today. To recognize and preserve these traits and to encourage owners to enjoy them, the BTCA offers the Versatility Awards, which reward participation in a variety of dog activities.
The Versatility Award is designed so that the average Border and owner, with some effort, can earn one. It asks for one title in three different fields, and a total of seven points. About thirty Borders earn a Versatility Award each year. Many go on to earn the Versatility Excellent Award, which requires twelve points, four fields including a working title, and considerable commitment from dog and owner. As a conformation title is not required, these awards are open to the pet as well as the champion and a number of pet Borders have Versatility and Versatility Excellent Awards. It is not surprising that most dogs are five and six years old before they earn a Versatility Award. To apply for a Versatility Award, see the instructions on the application form in the Border Connection or on this website.
Here is the Versatility Award Application for you to print!
Right-click on link to open or save and print:
DOWNLOAD Portable Document Format (.pdf)
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For more information, contact:
Cathy Malotte
Versatility Awards Coordinator
515 Rattlesnake Hill
Butler, MO 64730
cmalotte@bsd124.org
In Loving Memory of Ch. Bandersnatch Harriet Vane CD JE OAJ CGC V
Offered by Cindy and Laura Sherman, Marg and Amanda Pough, and Kerry Boisvert
 |
Laura and Harriet |
This award is to recognize a junior with the special bond
with their dog. What is
this bond, and how do we describe it?
Harriet (Hair-Bear
) lived with Marg, but Laura
was her person. Laura started training Harriet for Juniors through our 4-H classes.
Harriet bonded to Laura very quickly. Laura and her brother are two of Marg's puppy
socializers, so Laura was often over at the house when there were pups. Anytime Laura came
to visit, Harriet would get super excited. Laura always had to take her out by herself,
for training, a walk, or even just a car ride. Of course, Laura came and collected Harriet
for 4-H classes, for training, for AKC shows, and finally for their great love...
AGILITY! Yes, Cindy was OK, Marg was OK, Kerry was OK, but Laura was SUPER! Laura could
never leave Harriet alone at a dog show for more than a millisecond and whenever Harriet
saw Laura, it was as if they had been separated for years.
The best way to describe their bond is that when Marg goes to cross the Rainbow Bridge, there will be a pack of Bandersnatch dogs waiting for her. Harriet will be glad to see her, but she will not cross. She will wait for Laura.
Qualifications
Open to BTCA Junior members (9 through 17 yrs.) We do not anticipate that this will be awarded each year. A Junior may win it once.
The Junior must be currently exhibiting with their Border. This can be in any capacity, including 4-H, Junior Handling, obedience, agility, tracking, earthdog, etc.
The Junior must be nominated by a mentor or teacher (not a family member) who knows both the child and the dog.
Nomination must state in 250 words or less why the nominator thinks the junior should get this award.
Qualified nominees will then be invited to submit an essay that covers some basic questions. Younger juniors (ages 9 - 12) should answer the questions, in lieu of an essay. A picture of the Junior and Border is optional.
Nominations should be received at least three months prior to the BTCA National Specialty; answers and essays should be received two months before the specialty.
Award Recipient
Receives a $50.00 savings bond and a hand-made 4-foot braided leather leash, which is a tangible representation of the special connection between the Junior and his/her dog.
Will have their name engraved on a plaque which will be displayed each year at the BTCA National Specialty.
Will be announced each year at the BTCA National Specialty Awards Banquet.
Nominations should be sent to:
Amanda Pough, P.O. Box 473, Hyde Park, VT 05655
In Loving Memory of Lucy
, Ch. Krispin-Otley's Ambrosia CGC
Offered by D'Arcy and Robert Vollbracht and Debbie Pomeroy
This award is to recognize the person or Border Terrier that embodies the good character, mentoring abilities, courageousness, and generosity exhibited by Lucy throughout her life.
What are those qualities and how do we describe them?
After Lucy earned her CGC, she began traveling to nursing homes, pre-schools, and day treatment
programs as a therapy dog. She seemed to have a gift that enabled her to comfort and relax those around
her. Determined, kind, patient, and funny, Lucy possessed qualities desirable in both dogs and humans.
She was the rock of stability, generosity, and courageousness in her corner of the world, and she
served as a glowing ambassador of the Border Terrier breed to everyone she met.
Qualifications
Dog shall be Border Terrier in breed type, although rescue dogs or hunting / pack dogs w/o registration papers are eligible provided they are clearly Border Terrier in type.
Humans shall be members in good standing with the Border Terrier Club of America.
Nominee must have enriched the life or lives of others, or because of outstanding acts, training, contributions, or courageousness have bettered the world.
The ability to inspire others, whether it is by being selfless, by mentoring others, making significant contributions of time to support programs, projects, or activities that improve the community, or by spreading love and hope to those facing adversity, is the character and qualities the Lucy Award is meant to honor.
Nomination must state in essay form (750 words or less) why the nominator thinks the nominee should receive the award.
One clear photograph of the nominated person or dog must accompany the nomination, and nominations must be received at least two months prior to the BTCA National Specialty.
Award Recipient
Receives a $50.00 U.S. Savings Bond, the Lucy Award Certificate Plaque and the Lucy Award pin.
Winners will be announced each year at the BTCA National Specialty Awards Dinner.
Nominations should be sent to:
D'Arcy Downs-Vollbracht, P.O. Box 433, Bullhead City, AZ 86430
| More Information on Lucy and the Award can be found in the BTCA Policy and Procedures Manual. |
Anyone who has done obedience with a Border Terrier knows that a sense of humor is a necessary approach in the sport. The variations that a Border Terrier can work into a simple obedience exercise can bring you to tears. The only sensible response is to laugh. This award allows the rest of us, who probably have been in equally embarrassing situations, to laugh with you, thus improving the mental health of all Border Terrier owners doing obedience.
This award, to be offered annually at the National Specialty for the most
creative NQ of that calendar year, is a reactivation of the Eddie Award initiated years
ago by Laurale Stern in honor of the work
of Ch Luvemur's First Edition UD CG
CGC TDI, known for his creative
efforts in the obedience ring. It is
open to any member of the BTCA doing obedience with a Border Terrier.
The most creative and humorous arrangement of the AKC, UKC, or CKC obedience regulations at any level will win the Eddie Award of the year. To apply for this award, write your story in 500 words or less and send it to the Eddie Award Committee (see address below). The winning entry will be printed in the BORDERLINE and the dog's owner will receive a handsome rosette to make up for the AKC one you probably lost because your dog really wanted to get the Eddie Award instead. You need not be present at Specialty to be selected for this award, though you might want to attend to receive the congratulations and commiseration of others doing obedience with Borders.
Entries must be 500 words or fewer and address an NQ that occurred in the calendar year just prior to that year's Specialty. (For example: The Eddie Award presented at the 1999 Specialty for an NQ happening between Jan. 1, 1998 and Dec. 31, 1998.) Include the name of the dog and the name and date of the show. Send your entries, for your Border may have given you several opportunities to compete for this award, by January 15th, to:
The Eddie Committee
Laurale Stern, Chairman
832 Lincoln Blvd.
Manitowoc, WI 54220
(920) 683-3966
stern@dataplusnet.com
 A TRIBUTE
TO EDDIEEddie,(CH.LUVEMURS FIRST EDITION,UD,CG,CGC,TT), passed away on October 2, 1998, after 15 1/2 wonderful years. His tremendous accomplishments in the obedience ring (Dog World Award at the Utility level) and his great sense of humor and creativity doing the exercises, were the inspiration behind this fun award. His motto: Variety is the spice of life!, and he proved that in the ring!! There was never a dull moment in the ring with Eddie! He is greatly missed by his family every day. Laurale Stern |
Dog Agility allows a Border Terrier to demonstrate his speed, dexterity, agility, and, unfortunately for many, his clownish streak. Harry was fast, dexterous, agile, and had a HUGE clownish streak. People would make a point to watch Harry to see what he would be up to next.
The Creative Dog Agility Award (Harry Award) is an award given to the most creative agility run, done by a Border Terrier, and submitted in that year. It does not have to be done that year. A creative agility run does not have to be qualifying or non-qualifying, but it must be amusing. It must be done when the dog is (or is supposed to be) running a "real" run. The run can be at a trial (preferred), a match, or even in practice if in the handler and dog's minds they are doing a real run rather than an exercise. It is not an incident that happens to the dog, but something that the dog decides to do or react to on its own. All stories must be submitted to the committee in some way and each year one will be chosen to win the award.
The award will be announced each year at the BTCA National Specialty Awards Banquet.
The Harry Committee
Donna Sapp, Chairman
1504 Jupp Rd
Glen Burnie, MD 21060
bordrter@msn.com or
bordertr@aol.com
| Harry,(Towzie Tyke Harris Tweed AX AXJ ME CG FMX RN CGC), is retired now. His love of life and perpetually cheerful personality caused people to smile just to see him in action. He excelled in the Border Terrier's characteristic independent thinking and food obsession. |