The Versatile Corgi (VC) and the Versatile Corgi Excellent (VCX) awards were instituted by the Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America (PWCCA) in 1991. The concept of rewarding dogs with titles in multiple performance areas is not a new one. Many national breed clubs offer such awards and each organizes its own point schedule. The actual VC or VCX award is a lovely certificate designed by Kristin Orr. The blue border is filled with drawings of Pembrokes herding, tracking, jumping and posing and the dog and handler's names are written in calligraphy in the center. These awards are presented annually at the PWCCA's annual specialty show, but you need not be a member of the PWCCA to apply for these awards.

The VC and VCX awards were the brain-children of PWCCA member Tibby Chase, who felt that the Pembroke Welsh Corgi's natural versatility should be encouraged. The Performance Committee of the PWCCA came up with the original point schedule. As you might imagine, there was and is some disagreement about this point schedule. It was finally decided that the term "versatile" suggested that a dog should be titled in more than two events. Thus, titles* in at least three areas were required to earn either award. The committee also agreed to limit these awards to titles offered by the American Kennel Club. To do otherwise would have been an equivalency and bookkeeping nightmare.

In the early years of this program, owners could apply for VC awards that had been earned prior to the implementation of the program (1991). Thirteen VCs were awarded in that first year. The vast majority of these dogs had earned the titles of Champion, Utility Dog and Tracking Dog (Ch UD TD). I fear that caused many to assume that the Championship was required to earn these awards and that is most definitely not the case. (See point schedule.)

When these awards were first instituted, no dog had completed the requirements for the VCX. So the race was on to see who would earn it first. At that time, the AKC did not offer agility trials or titles. In order to earn a VCX, the dog had to have earned titles in all available performance venues; obedience, tracking and herding. Earning the VCX continues to require one of the "X" titles which designates superior performance in one area. Originally the "X" titles included the Obedience Trial Championship (OTCh), the Tracking Dog Excellent (TDX) and the Herding Championship (HCh). Soon after the program started, the Utility Dog Excellent (UDX) title came along. The requirements for the VCX were then changed to allow the UDX as well as the Herding Excellent (HX) titles to fulfill this "superior" requirement. The committee wanted to make the VCX within reach of most Pembrokes and handlers (given the handler had a strong training commitment). Most would agree that the Herding Championship (HCh) and the OTCh are attainable only by exceptional Corgis. As new AKC titles have come along, their relative value must be worked into the point schedule. The Jumpers titles in agility were added in 1998. The Variable Surface Tracker (VST) title, the Masters Agility Excellent (MX), the Masters Jumpers (MXJ) and the Masters Agility Champion (MACh) titles have been added to the "X" list.

The first VCX was earned by Lynda McKee and her bitch, Ch Blujor Sio Calako Kachina CDX TDX HT, in 1993. The advent of AKC agility in 1994 has greatly increased the potential for earning VC and VCX awards. Pembrokes are very talented at this new sport! My own experience was a classic one. Although I live in a rural area, herding training is rare to nonexistent (unless, of course, you own a Border Collie). At the time, I had dogs with weak herding instinct, so the chances of earning a herding title were remote. When agility came along, I decided that was our ticket to a VCX and I immediately signed up for a class. Little did I know that agility would consume me! I thank the PWCCA and its VC/VCX program for steering me in this direction.

I personally appreciate the VC/VCX program because it rewards the way I choose to live with my dogs. I prefer to own just a few Corgis at a time and versatility training fits very nicely with my life style. I don't need to get a new dog and start over to remain active in the sport. I can train my companions for years and years and keep earning those versatility points. It is very satisfying to have goals and strive to attain them. More importantly, the relationship one develops with one's dog while training for working titles is something that simply cannot be duplicated in the conformation arena.