Dog Sport Titles & Abbreviations
Organizations
| AAC | Agility Association of Canada |
|---|---|
| AHBA | American Herding Breeds Association |
| AKC | American Kennel Club |
| ASCA | Australian Shepherd Club of America |
| ASFA | American Sighthound Field Association |
| AWDF | American Working Dog Federation |
| AWMA | American Working Malinois Association |
| AWTA | American Working Terrier Association |
| CKC | Canadian Kennel Club |
| DVG | Deutscher Verband der Gebrauchshundsportvereine |
| JRTCA | Jack Russell Terrier Club of America |
| NACA | North American Coursing Association |
| NACSW | National Association of Canine Scent Work |
| NADAC | North American Dog Agility Council |
| NAFA | North American Flyball Association |
| NAOFA | North American Open Field Association |
| NAHRA | North American Hunting Retriever Association |
| UFLI | United Flyball League International |
| UKC | United Kennel Club (USA) |
| USCA | United Schutzhund Clubs of America |
| USDAA | United States Dog Agility Association |
| USMRA | United States Mondio Ring Association |
| USPCA | United States Police Canine Association |
Agility Titles
| AKC (American Kennel Club) | |
| AX | Agility Excellent (AKC) |
|---|---|
| AXJ | Excellent Jumper With Weaves (AKC) |
| MX | Master Agility Excellent (AKC) |
| MXJ | Master Jumper With Weaves (AKC) |
| NA | Novice Agility (AKC) |
| NAJ | Novice Jumper With Weaves (AKC) |
| OA | Open Agility (AKC) |
| OAJ | Open Jumper With Weaves (AKC) |
| AAC (Agility Association of Canada) | |
| ADC | Agility Dog of Canada (AAC) |
| AADC | Advanced Agility Dog of Canada (AAC) |
| MADC | Master Agility Dog of Canada (AAC) |
| USDAA (United States Dog Agility Association) | |
| ADCH | Agility Dog Champion (USDAA) |
| AD | Agility Dog (USDAA) |
| GM | Gambler Master (USDAA) |
| JM | Jumpers Master (USDAA) |
| AAD | Advanced Agility Dog (USDAA) |
| MAD | Master Agility Dog (USDAA) |
| PM | Pairs Master (USDAA) |
| SM | Snooker Master (USDAA) |
| VAD | Veteran Agility Dog (USDAA) |
| VAAD | Veteran Advanced Agility Dog (USDAA) |
| VMAD | Veteran Master Agility Dog (USDAA) |
| UKC (United Kennel Club) | |
| U-AGI | Agility I (UKC) |
| U-AGII | Agility II (UKC) |
| U-ACH | Agility Champion (UKC) |
| U-ACHX | Agility Champion Excellent (UKC) |
| VG | Veterans Gambler |
| VJ | Veterans Jumper |
| VPD | Veteran Performance Dog |
| VS | Veterans Snooker |
| NADAC (North American Dog Agility Council) | |
| EAC, EAC=V, EAC-JH | Elite Standard, Veterans, Junior Handler (NADAC) |
| EGC, EGC-V, EGG-JH | Elite Gamblers, Veterans, Junior Handler (NADAC) |
| EJC, EJC-V, EJC-JH | Elite Jumpers, Veterans, Junior Handler (NADAC) |
| NAC,NAC-V, NAC-JH | Novice Standard, Veterans, Junior Handler (NADAC) |
| NATCh | Agility Trial Champion (NADAC) |
| NGC, NGC-V, NGC-JH | Novice Gamblers, Veterans, Junior Handler (NADAC) |
| NJC, NJC-V, NJC-JH | Novice Jumpers, Veterans, Junior Handler (NADAC) |
| O-, S- | Outstanding, Superior Peformance, prefixed to any NADAC title |
| OAC, OAC-V, OAC-JH | Open Standard, Veterans, Junior Handler (NADAC) |
| OGC, OGC-V, OGC-JH | Open Gamblers, Veterans, Junior Handler (NADAC) |
| OJC, OJC-V, OJC-JH | Open Jumpers, Veterans, Junior Handler (NADAC) |
Coursing Titles
| AKC (American Kennel Club) | |
| JC | Junior Courser (suffix) |
|---|---|
| F.Ch. | Field Champion (prefix) |
| SC | Senior Courser (suffix) |
| ASFA (American Sighthound Field Association) | |
| F.Ch. | Field Champion |
| LCM | Lure Courser of Merit |
| LCM2 | Lure Courser of Merit 2 - (has met the requirements for LCM twice over. LCM3, LCM4, etc. are also available) |
| NACA (North American Coursing Association) | |
| NACC | NACA Coursing Champion |
| NACM | NACA Courser of Merit |
| NAOFA (North American Open Field Association) | |
| CC | Coursing Champion |
| CM | Courser of Merit |
Earthdog / Go To Ground / Terrier Trials
| AKC (American Kennel Club) | |
| JE | Junior Earthdog (AKC) |
|---|---|
| ME | Master Earthdog (AKC) |
| SE | Senior Earthdog (AKC) |
| AWTA (American Working Terrier Association) | |
| WC | Working Certificate |
| HC | Hunting Certificate |
| JRTCA (Jack Russell Terrier Club of America) | |
| Pre-Novice Puppy (Optional) | open to Jack Russells 4 to 6 months. Entry does not affect the puppy's ability to enter Novice at 6 months of age. 1 minute to reach the quarry, may leave the earth and re-enter several times, mark quarry for 15 seconds |
| Novice (Puppy and Adult) | open to Jack Russells 6 months and older that have not scored 100% in this class at a previous trial. 100% scores may enter the Open Class. 1 minute to reach the quarry, may leave the earth and re-enter several times, work quarry for 30 seconds |
| Open Puppy | open to Jack Russells 6 to 12 months of age that have scored 100% in Novice at this or a previous JRTCA trial. 30 seconds to reach the quarry, may leave the earth once and re-enter, work quarry for 1 minute |
| Open Adult | open to Jack Russells 1 year or older that have scored 100% in a Novice Class at the current or a previous JRTCA trial. 30 seconds to reach the quarry, may leave the earth once and re-enter, work quarry for 1 minute |
| Puppy Championship | open to Jack Russells 6 to 12 months that have scored 100% in the Open Class at the current or a previous JRTCA trial. 30 seconds to reach the quarry, may leave the earth once and re-enter, work quarry for 1 minute |
| 10" to 12.5" Championship Certificate | open to all Jack Russells 1 year and older that hold a Trial Certificate (have passed Open). 30 seconds to reach the quarry, may NOT leave the earth, must work quarry for 1 minute |
| 12.5"" to 15" Championship Certificate | open to all Jack Russells 1 year and older that hold a Trial Certificate (have passed Open). 30 seconds to reach the quarry, may NOT leave the earth, must work quarry for 1 minute |
| Veteran Certificate (Optional) | open to any Jack Russell 6 years of age and older that holds a Trial Certificate (no cross entries between Certificate Classes). 30 seconds to reach the quarry, may NOT leave the earth, must work quarry for 1 minute, may be offered as Veteran Championship Certificate. |
Field Trials - AKC, CKC
| AKC (American Kennel Club) and CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) | |
| AFC | Amateur Field Champion, (prefix) - (must be owner handled) |
|---|---|
| CFC | Canadian Field Champion, (prefix) |
| CAFC | Canadian Amateur Field Champion, (prefix) |
| FC | Field champion, (prefix) - (can be professional handler, open class) |
| FD | Field Dog (pointing, CKC) |
| FDJ | Field Dog Junior (pointing, CKC) |
| FDX | Field Dog Excellent (pointing, CKC) |
| NFC | National Field Champion, (prefix) |
Flyball
| NAFA (North American Flyball Association) | |
| FD | The Flyball Dog title is awarded to any dog receiving 20 points. |
|---|---|
| FDX | The Flyball Dog Excellent title is awarded to any dog receiving 100 points |
| FDCh | The Flyball Champion-Silver title is awarded to any dog receiving 500 points. |
| FDCh-S | The Flyball Champion-Gold title is awarded to any dog receiving 1,000 points. |
| FDCh-G | The Flyball Grand Champion-Gold title is awarded to any dog receiving 2,500 points. |
| FM | The Flyball Master title is awarded to any dog receiving 5,000 points. |
| FMX | The Flyball Master Excellent title is awarded to any dog receiving 10,000 points. |
| FMch | The Flyball Master Champion title is awarded to any dog receiving 15,000 points. |
| ONYX | The Onyx Award is named after it's first recipient. A dog must earn 20,000 points. |
| FGDCh | The Flyball Grand Champion title is awarded to any dog receiving 30,000 points. |
- NAFA will award a commemorative pin and plaque for any dog receiving 40,000 points.
- NAFA will award a commemorative pin and plate for the 40K plaque at each 10,000 increment from 50,000 through 90,000 points.
- NAFA will award a commemorative pin, plaque and the title "Hobbes Award" named after its first recipient, for any dog receiving 100,000 points.
German Titles & Ratings
| IPO, Schutzhund and Show Ratings/Titles | |
| * | Used farther back in pedigrees to save room and denotes kkl-l or kkl-II. - Before a dog's name, indicates dog has been surveyed and approved for breeding. |
|---|---|
| a | "a" stamp indicating the dog's hips have been evaluated and fall within limits - considered acceptable for breeding
|
| A | Ausreichend - Sufficient show or performance rating |
| AD | Ausdauerpruefung - Endurance title (test includes a 12-mile run & simple obedience test) |
| Angekoert | Recommended for breeding |
| B or BH | A German Companion Dog title that must precede SchH I. Similar to Kennel Club CD and CGC test in one. B and BH are used interchangeably. |
| BlH | Blindenhund Blind guide dog |
| BpDH 1, 2 | Bannpolizeidiensthund 1 or 2- Railroad Police Service Dogs 1 or 2. |
| Bundeslestunggssieger | German National Working Dog Champion awarded at the Bundessiegerprufung. |
| CACIB | European International Champion |
| DH | Diensthund - Service dog |
| DPH | Diensthund - Service Police dog |
| FH | Fahrtenhund - Tracking title awarded by the SV. |
| FH1 | Fahrtenhund - Advanced tracking title awarded by the SV. |
| FH2 | Fahrtenhund - Superior tracking title awarded by the SV. |
| G | Gut - Good show or performance rating |
| Gebrauchshundklasse | Working Dog Class – The only class available for animals over two in Germany. |
| GRH | Grenzenhund Hund - Border patrol dog |
| HC | Herding Champion |
| HGH | Herdengebrauchshund - A qualification of dogs working with flocks. |
| HT | Herding tested. |
| Huntesieger | Herding Dog Champion at the German Herding Dog Championships. |
| IPO I, II, III | International Prufungorden (international working tests) - Similar Sch III according to the international rules. Replaces Schutzhund internationally in 2012. |
| KKL I | Koerklasse I - Especially recommended for breeding |
| KKL II | Koerklasse II - Suitable for breeding |
| Korung | German breed survey to select animals for breeding – Class 1 animals recommended, Class 2 animals suitable. |
| Kr.H. | Kriegshund - War dog |
| Lbz | Lebenszeit - Breed surveyed for lifetime |
| LP | A puppy title meaning Less Promising |
| LwH | Lawinen Hund: Avalanche Dog |
| M | Mangelhaft - Faulty show or performance rating |
| M.H. | Militar Hund: Military Dog |
| P | A puppy title meaning Promising |
| PDH | Polizei Dienst Hund - Working Police dog |
| PFP I, II | Polizeifaehrtenhund I, II: Police Tracking Dog I or II |
| PSP I, II | Polizeischutzhundprufung I, II: Police Protection Dog I or II |
| SchH A | A Limited SchH Title – Similar to SchH 1 but without the tracking portion. |
| SchH I, II, III | Schutzhund - Obedience, tracking, and protection titles. The dog must pass all three phases to earn the title. |
| SG | Sehr Gut - Very Good show or performance rating; The maximum rating any dog can have without a Schutzhund title; highest rating obtainable by dogs under 2 years old or at USA SchH shows |
| SH | Sanitats Hund: Red Cross Dog |
| Sieger | Grand Champion title at the German Sieger show |
| SV | Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde: (German Shepherd Dog Club) The original GSD breed club and breed registry, based in Germany. |
| TSB | Triebveranlagung: Fighting Drive |
| U | Ungenugend - Unsatisfactory or Insufficient show or performance rating |
| V | Vorzuglich - Excellent show or performance rating- dog must minimally have a SchH 1 title |
| VA | Vorzuglich-Auslese - Excellent Select show rating at Sieger show; highest award obtainable by a German show dog; can only be awarded to an outstanding conformation dog with at least a SchH 2 title; typically awarded to 12-15 dogs and bitches each year |
| VH | Vorhanden - Sufficient show or performance rating |
| VP | A puppy title meaning Very Promising |
| WH | watchdog title |
| WPO | International Police Dog trials. A dog with WPO after it's name is a certified police dog who competed at the WPO |
| ZB | Zuchtbewertung - Conformation show rating |
| ZH I, II | Zollhund I, II - Customs dog |
| ZPr | Zuchtpruefung - Passed a breed survey, recommended for breeding |
| Juguendklasse-ruden | Youth class for males of twelve to eighteen months at German shows. |
| Siegerin | Highest Sieger bitch title |
| Bundessieger | Working Dog Champion of the Year (Leistungssieger) |
| Bundeszuchtsieger | Conformation winner at the German National All Breed Show. |
| Europameister | World Champion SchH III dog |
| Europasieger | Conformation winner at the European All Breed Show. |
| Hutesiger | Herding Dog Champion at German herding dog championship |
| Leistungssieger | Working Dog Champion of the Year (Bundesieger) |
| Preishuten Sieger | Sheepherding Champion of the Year |
| Weltsieger | World Sieger title awarded to the top dog at the FCI All Breed Show |
Dogs are also rated and must achieve an G (good), SG (very good), V (excellent), or VA (excellent select) rating to be breed, as well as hip certification and a working degree.
Back to topHerding Titles
| AHBA (American Herding Breeds Association) | |
| HCT | Herding Capable Tested |
|---|---|
| *HTD1 | Herding Trial Dog, first level |
| *HTD2 | Herding Trial Dog, second level |
| *HTD3 | Herding Trial Dog, third level |
| JHD | Junior Herd Dog |
*The official AHBA HTD title can have up to 4 suffixes: -d for ducks; -s for sheep; -g for goats; or -c for cattle. The title will always have at least one of these suffixes.
| AKC (American Kennel Club) | |
| HCH | Herding Companion (prefix) |
|---|---|
| HI | Herding Intermediate |
| HS | Herding Started |
| HT | Herding Tested |
| HX | Herding Excellent |
| PT | Pre-Trial Tested |
| ASCA (Australian Shepherd Club of America) | |
| *ATD | Advanced Trial Dog |
| *OTD | Open Trial Dog |
| RD | Ranch Dog (dog has been evaluated by a judge while doing its routine farm tasks & certified to be a useful working dog) |
| *STD | Started Trial Dog |
| WTCH | Working Trial Champion (prefix) - (dog has earned ATD on all 3 types of stock) |
*Always with suffix -s, -d, -c to indicate title earned on sheep, ducks or cattle. Titles earned separately on each type of stock.
Back to topHunt Test Titles
| AKC (American Kennel Club) | |
| JH | Junior Hunter (AKC) |
|---|---|
| MH | Master Hunter (AKC) |
| SH | Senior Hunter (AKC) |
| NAHRA (North American Hunting Retriever Association) | |
| SR | Started Retriever (NAHRA) |
| WR | Working Retriever (NAHRA) |
| MHR | Master Hunting Retriever (NAHRA) |
| GMHR | Grand Master Hunting Retriever (NAHRA) |
Nosework
| UKC (United Kennel Club) |
Pre-Trial Indidual Elements
| PTN | Pre-Trial Novice- Birch |
|---|---|
| PTA | Pre-Trial Advanced- Anise |
| PTS | Pre-Trial Superior- Clove |
| PTM | Pre-Trial Master- Myrrh |
| PTE | Pre-Trial Elite- Vetiver |
Novice Individual Elements
| NC | Novice Containers |
|---|---|
| NE | Novice Exterior |
| NI | Novice Interior |
| NV | Novice Vehicle |
Advanced Individual Elements
| AC | Advanced Container |
|---|---|
| AE | Advanced Exterior |
| AI | Advanced Interior |
| AV | Advanced Vehicle |
Superior Individual Elements
| SC | Superior Containers |
|---|---|
| SE | Superior Exterior |
| SI | Superior Interior |
| SV | Superior Vehicle |
Master Individual Elements
| MC | Master Containers |
|---|---|
| ME | Master Exterior |
| MI | Master Interior |
| MV | Master Vehicle |
Elite Individual Elements
| EC | Elite Containers |
|---|---|
| EE | Elite Exterior |
| EI | Elite Interior |
| EV | Elite Vehicle |
Novice Nosework Titles
| NN | Container Search |
|---|---|
| NN | Exterior Area |
| NN | Interior Building |
| NN | Vehicle Search |
Advanced Nosework Titles
| AN | Container Search |
|---|---|
| AN | Exterior Area |
| AN | Interior Building |
| AN | Vehicle Search |
Master Nosework Titles
| MN | Container Search |
|---|---|
| MN | Exterior Area |
| MN | Interior Building |
| MN | Vehicle Search |
Elite Nosework Titles
| EN | Container Search |
|---|---|
| EN | Exterior Area |
| EN | Interior Building |
| EN | Vehicle Search |
Obedience Titles
| AKC (American Kennel Club) | |
| CD | Companion Dog (AKC, CKC) |
|---|---|
| CDX | Companion Dog Excellent (AKC, CKC) |
| CT | Champion Tracker (a dog with a TD, TDX and VST) (AKC) |
| OTCh | Obedience Trial Champion (prefix) (AKC, CKC) |
| TD | Tracking Dog (AKC, CKC) |
| TDX | Tracking Dog Excellent (AKC, CKC) |
| UD | Utility Dog (AKC, CKC) |
| UDT | Utility Dog title with a Tracking Dog title (AKC) |
| UDTX | Utility Dog title with a Tracking Dog Excellent title (AKC) |
| UDX | Utility Dog Excellent (AKC) |
| UDVST | Utility Dog title with a Variable Surface Tracking title (AKC) |
| VCD1 | Versatile Companion Dog (AKC) has completed CD, NA, NAJ, TD or CD, NAP, NJP, TD |
| VCD2 | Versatile Companion Dog (AKC) has completed CDX, OA, OAJ, TD or CDX, OAP, OJP, TD |
| VCD3 | Versatile Companion Dog (AKC) has completed UD, AX, AXJ, TDX or UD, AXP, AJP, TDX |
| VCD4 | Versatile Companion Dog (AKC) has completed UDX, MX, MXJ, VST or UDX, MXP, MJP, VST |
| VCCH | Versatile Companion Champion (AKC prefix) has completed OTCH, MACH and CT |
| VST | Variable Surface Tracking (AKC) |
| CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) | |
| CD | Companion Dog (AKC, CKC) |
| CDX | Companion Dog Excellent (AKC, CKC) |
| OTCh | Obedience Trial Champion (prefix) (AKC, CKC) |
| TD | Tracking Dog (AKC, CKC) |
| TDX | Tracking Dog Excellent (AKC, CKC) |
| UD | Utility Dog (AKC, CKC) |
| UKC (United Kennel Club) | |
| U-CD | Companion Dog (prefix) (UKC) |
| U-CDX | Companion Dog Excellent (prefix) (UKC) |
| U-UD | Utility Dog (prefix) (UKC) |
- The AKC OTCh is much different and more difficult to achieve than the Canadian (CKC) OTCh. The CKC OTCh is equivalent to getting a Canadian UD. In other words the CKC UD = CKC OTCh.
- There are no combined titles for dogs with UDX and other tracking titles.
- The Champion Tracker title is not a competitively earned title and does not figure into Dual or Triple Champion titles. (The OTCH can be the third CH in a Triple though.)
Working Certificates (Breed Clubs)
| DD | Draft dog (NCA) |
|---|---|
| TDD | Team draft dog (NCA) |
| VN | Versatile Newfoundland (NCA) |
| WAC | Working Aptitude Certificate (Doberman Pincher Club of America) |
| WC | Working Certificate (various breed clubs, differs) |
| WCI | Working Certificate Intermediate (various breed clubs, differs) |
| WCX | Working Certificate Excellent (various breed clubs, differs) |
| WD | Working dog (American Chesapeake Club, ACC) |
| WDX | Working dog excellent (ACC) |
| WDO | working dog qualified (ACC) |
| WD | Water dog (Newfoundland Club of America, NCA) |
| WRD | Water rescue dog (NCA) |
Miscellaneous Titles
| AOE | Award of Excellence |
|---|---|
| CG | Certificate of Gameness (American Working Terrier Assn) |
| CGC | Canine Good Citizen Certificate |
| CH | Champion (prefix) |
| HIC | Herding Instinct Certified |
| ROM | Register of Merit |
| TD | Therapy Dog |
| TDI | Therapy Dog International |
| TT | Temperament Tested |
Breed Acronyms
| BC | Border Collie |
|---|---|
| CBR | Chesapeake Bay Retriever |
| CCR | Curly-coated Retriever |
| FCR | Flat-coated Retriever |
| GD | Great Dane |
| GR | Golden Retriever |
| GSD | German Shepherd Dog |
| GSP | German Shorthaired Pointer |
| GWP | German Wirehaired Pointer |
| LR | Labrador Retriever |
| OES | Old English Sheepdog |
| PBGV | Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen |
| PWC | Pembroke Welsh Corgi |
Other Dog-Related Acronyms
| ACVO | American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists |
|---|---|
| BJ | Broad Jump or Bar Jump (context) |
| CERF | Canine Eye Registry Foundation |
| DJ | Directed Jumping |
| DOR | Drop on Recall |
| F8 | Figure Eight |
| HD | Hip Displasia (sometimes CHD) |
| ILP | AKC Indefinite Listing Privilege for unpapered purebreds |
| LP | UKC's Listing Privilege for unpapered purebreds/mixed breeds |
| OFA | Orthopedic Foundation for Animals |
| ROF | Retrieve on the Flat |
| ROH | Retrieve over the High Jump |