The Rip Van Wrinkler,
Volume XV, Issue 1,
February 2011

Page 13 <previous page > <next page>

Training Conversation

1. Suzanne La Croix on the BCOA Versatility Program.

2. Spotlighting agility as fun.



Trog kiss (Stewart photo)

There has been a rather fretful discussion on the BasenjiMDG · Basenji Members Discussion Group {ed. which I have to admit I have not read}, questioning the criteria for the BCOA Versatility Awards, and also, the new Performance Brood Bitch/StudDog Honor Roles.

Here’s a resopnse to that by Suzanne LaCroix, Co-chair, BCOA Performance Events Committee. 

 I haven't forgotten that I had promised to post on versatility  - and have definitely been trying to decompress after defending my PhD in Zoology (dissertation: Behavioral and morphological development in a top North American carnivore, the coyote).   I have been amazed at how much had piled up and still needs to be sorted, both for my research and for my house and family matters.  I'm also working with my litter of basenji puppies (co-bred with Damara) that arrived in the midst of it all!  Still in search of little sleep!  Thank you ALL for your patience.

Regarding the Versatile Basenji program, questions had been posed on this list regarding this program's goal to invite persons into trying different venues with their basenjis and the competitive nature of the program; and whether these two aims are in conflict.

For those who are new to the Versatile Basenji program, first a little history.  When the program was conceived nearly 10 years ago, there were parties at each end of the spectrum saying the program should either be highly competitive or highly non-competitive.  There was considerable debate between the different camps of enthusiasts.  Among the committee participants at that time (which, btw, included Linda Benson, we ALL miss her!), I was solidly into designing a program that would appeal to folks who participated in conformation as well as those that participated in performance and other less attempted events (btw, agility was still quite new back then, and obedience was an oddity for a basenji!)

Anyway, in reviewing the structure of the versatility titles of many other breed clubs, we found merit in some of their examples - where breadth of venues was rewarded as well as the levels of achievement within individual categories.  Many BCOA club members argued for much tougher criteria for the higher levels of the basenji program, and many people argued for much more lenient criteria at the lower levels.  Ultimately, the committee selected a compromise position - too lenient for some, too competitive for others.  Sadly, it is true that, as they say, you can't please all the people, all the time.  I am proud to say, however, that I have personally been thrilled to see the great numbers of basenjis that have competed to far higher levels of performance than even I had contemplated at the time of the program's inception!!  Kudos to those folks, especially the people who have done it not once, or twice, but with even more dogs!!!

So, while some people contend that the program is still too competitive, or too lenient, no one contends that the titles (especially the Versatile Basenji Basic) are impossible nor really even difficult to attain (which is not to say that they don't require ample training, open-mindedness to new venues, persistence and competitive spirit).  Especially given that this is a LIFETIME achievement for a dog.  I agree that initially, some of our veteran dogs may have been precluded from attaining their highest level of achievement because of age and newly emerging event venues - however, if your basenji was born in 2003 (the first year of awards), that means your dog is only half way through it's lifetime and still has plenty of competitive drive and time left...

One thing I wish the BCOA did have - but which falls outside the scope of the current volunteers on the Versatile Basenji program, is a separate program which sends out a club letter and certificate acknowledging every basenji that attains an AKC title (Dobe club does this - and I recall the thrill I received, even though at the time, I was not a DPCA member!)  I think this would really excite newcomers into basenji sports and invite club membership as well...  Maybe somebody out there has the time to do this????

But to conclude on the original question, does the existing versatility program balance its goals of inviting enthusiasm and rewarding competitive achievement?  I personally continue to believe it does, because names of new handlers and basenjis keep arriving each month, with an impressive variety of achievements.  And yes, we are currently reviewing new venues and considering their placement within the current program structure - but have not yet completed our discussion (mostly because of me being so busy).  I believe we are hoping to wrap that up in this first quarter and I will be sure to post the new information here.

I have heard it rumored that some people don't make application to the BCOA Versatile Basenji program because they disagree with the program's structure.  That saddens me because I would like to see every deserving basenji acknowledged by our club.  However, I am also a big believer that if you can improve on something, then do - and I would invite those persons to conceptualize a new type of reward program and bring it to the board.  There is absolutely NO reason why the current Versatile Basenji program need be the only program promoting activities with basenjis!  So, just as Susan M. created the performance basenji stud dog/brood bitch honor list, which is now tallied, in addition to the traditional lists, perhaps it is time for other interested BCOA members to step forward with their vision for our basenjis!  I applaud your innovation and look forward how you can enrich the experiences we all are seeking with our basenjis!

-Suzanne La Croix

Co-chair, BCOA Performance Events Committee

Spotlighting agility as fun.

Youngsters & new NAs, Zuri & Fern


Fly'N Hi's Pretty Amazing JC NA
Carol Mount's Zuri got her Novice Standard Title on her 3rd birthday (Fischer photo)


Ch. Apu Painted Sand RN SC NA NAJ NF CL2-H CL2-F FCh GRC ORC SOR CGC TDIA VBX
Susan Marsicano’s Fern (Piroha photo)

Fern, first Open run.

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