22 Saber Tails Summer 2017
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America
The second annual PBGVCA National Triathlon was held
in Charlotte, NC over the eight day “Queen City” PBGVCA
Eastern Region and National events. Two awards were
offered, one a regular Triathlete Award for entering at
least three different disciplines and qualifying in three
disciplines. The second award, the Beginner Triathlete
was also offered for entering at least three different disci-
plines and qualifying in two. This year participants could
choose from agility, hunt, obedience and rally. At the
2018 Reno, Nevada National nose work will take the place
of hunting.
Tuesday April 25
th
started with Agility, the first of the four
disciplines offered. 17 of the 21 dogs entered in the Tri-
athlon participate in agility. 11 of those 17 dogs qualified
for their first Q in their pursuit to earn a triathlon award.
No Triathlon events were held Wednesday.
Thursday afternoon was the first chance to get a qualify-
ing score in Obedience or Rally. Obedience had an entry
of 20 and 22 for the second trial held Friday morning. A
couple of dogs were entered in more than one obedi-
ence class along with four dogs being absent over the
two days, two due to being in season. Triathlon dogs ac-
counted for 12 of the 15 dogs vying for a qualifying score
in obedience. 7 of those 12 dogs received qualifying
scores in obedience on Thursday. Obedience on Friday
morning saw two more Triathlon PBGVs being added to
the list of dogs now with Q’s in obedience. 9 out of 12
dogs qualified in obedience…Way to go PBGVs!
Rally started immediately after obedience on Thursday
and again on Friday morning. Rally had an entry of 35
and 36 with 28 different dogs participating over the two
days. Some dogs showing in the Advanced and Excellent
2017 PBGVCA Triathlon By the Numbers
21Dogs entered in the Triathlon
12Dogs earning the Triathlete Award
7Dogs earning the Beginner Triathlete Award
1Dogs qualifying in all 4 disciplines
16 Dogs qualifying in 3 disciplines
2Dogs qualifying in 2 disciplines
2Dogs qualifying in 1 discipline
15 Dogs who were Champions
12Dogs who were females
9Dogs who were males
2Dogs who cutback due to illness or surgery
2017 PBGVCA National Triathlon…
PBGVs Show Off Their Versatility
By Vickie Willmann
classes on the same day at both trials. 5 dogs were ab-
sent, two of those for being in season. Thursday and Fri-
day’s Rally saw all but one dog qualifying each time they
were in the ring. That is a great qualifying rate especially
for our little hounds.
Saturday was a free day for the Triathlon dogs. Sunday
morning started the national hunt with a practice day in
Anderson, South Carolina. All 21 Triathlon dogs were en-
tered in the hunt. Once again the Triathlon dogs came
through with flying colors. All 21 dogs were able to use
hunting as one of their qualifying disciplines.
All owners or family groups received the AKC rules book-
lets for Agility, Conformation, Obedience, Rally, and Track-
ing along with a large engraved paper clip/bookmark just
for participating in the Triathlon. Winners of the Triathlon
Award could pick from 5 colors of large bath towels em-
broidered with “PBGVCA Triathlon Qualifier 2017”. Those
earning the Beginner Triathlon Award received a unique
“Cool Pooch” water bottle designed to give both the own-
er and dog each a separate water supply.
The Triathlon showcases the versatility of our great little
hounds. Setting a goal to enter the Triathlon can be a
good motivator for starting to work with your PBGVs in
multiple and sometimes new disciplines you might not
otherwise try. The Triathlon has also helped PBGVCA
members and non-members to build a bigger commu-
nity of performance and companion participants. It is
wonderful to see so many people being encouraging and
supportive of each other while competing at a national.
Don’t forget the fast growing and fun sport of Nose Work
will be included in the 2018 national. In closing, I want to
encourage everyone to check out some training classes
close to home. Get out there and try something new with
your PBGVs.
If you have any questions about the Triathlon or what
might be the best disciplines for you to start training in
for the 2018 National Triathlon don’t hesitate to contact
me at: tvwill@aol.com.