A title is a testimonial and tribute to the dog who earned it. Titles are not just bragging rights for your dog. They show how hard your dog worked for you. A title can indicate many things about your dog and his ancestry. In titles you may learn about your dog's health, intelligence, adaptability, temperament and more.
Let's not forget the people who worked so hard and loved their dogs enough to achieve these titles either.
Trying to decipher all the dog titles in puppy pedigrees and in web sites can be difficult. There are numerous titles and awards for different areas of the world and for different types of achievement. There are obedience titles, working titles, conformation titles, certificates, designations and awards from all over the world.
The following is a list of some of the common titles you're likely to see first.
AGILITY TRIALS
NA - Novice Agility, AKC title for dogs with 3 qualifying scores)
OA - Open Agility, an AKC title for dogs with 3 qualifying scores in the "Open Agility" class.
AX - Agility Excellent, an AKC title for dogs with 3 qualifying scored in the "Excellent A Agility" class.
AXJ - Excellent Jumpers With Weaves, an AKC title for dogs with 3 qualifying scores in the "Excellent A Jumpers With Weaves" class.
MX - Master Agility, and AKC suffix title for dogs who qualify with the necessary points in the "Agility Excellent" class.
MACH - Master Agility Champion, a special AKC suffix title earned with 750 championship points and scores from additional classes.
CONFORMATION
BISS - Best in Specialty Show, an award for dogs winning best in a specialty show.
BIS - Best in Show, an award for dogs winning best in an all-breed show.
CH - Champion, an AKC prefix title for dogs with 15 points and 2 major show wins under 3 different judges.
OBEDIENCE TITLES
CD - Companion Dog, an AKC suffix title for dogs with qualifying scores in "Novice" classes at 3 obedience trials.
CDX - Companion Dog Excellent, an AKC suffix title for dogs with qualifying scores in "Open" classes at 3 obedience trials.
UD - Utility Dog an AKC suffix title for dogs with qualifying scores in "Utility" classes at 3 obedience trials. UD exercises include Signal Exercise, Scent Discrimination, Directed Jump and Directed Retrieve.
UDX - Utility Dog Excellent, same as above but must compete at 10 obedience trials.
OTCh - Obedience Trial Champion, an AKC prefix title for dogs with qualifying points and First Place wins.
SCHUTZHUND (TRACKING, OBEDIENCE AND PROTECTION TITLES)
AD 12 1/2 mile endurance and obedience test
BH Basic Obedience Degree
SchH1 - Schutzhund Level 1, must pass a temperament pass/fail test called BH for companion dog.
SchH2 - Schutzhund Level 2, progressively harder than SchH1.
SchH3 - Schutzhund Level 3, this is the highest level of Schutzhund obtainable.
ORGANIZATIONS
AKC - The American Kennel Club
CKC - The Canadian Kennel Club
PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
UKC - The United Kennel Club
CERTIFICATES & ACRONYMS
CERF - Canine Eye Registry Foundation
OFA - Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, a certification you want on the parents of any puppy you purchase.
HD - Hip Dysplasia (sometimes referred to as CHD)
CPV - Canine Parvovirus, a contagious virus spread from dog to dog through direct or indirect contact with their feces.