Titles and Abbreviations

ORGANIZATIONS
AAC Agility Association of Canada
AKC American Kennel Club
APDT Association of Pet Dog Trainers
AWDF American Working Dog Federation
AWMA American Working Malinois Association
BHA Barn Hunt Association
CKC Canadian Kennel Club
CRA Canadian Ring Association (French Ring)
CPE Canine Performance Events
NADAC North American Dog Agility Council
NARA North American Ring Association (French Ring)
PSA Protection Sports Association
UKC United Kennel Club
USDAA US Dog Agility Association
NACSW National Association of Canine Scent Work
   
MISCELLANEOUS TITLES & ABBREVIATIONS
CGC Canine Good Citizen Certificate
TT Temperment Tested
CSAU Certificat de Sociabilité et d’Aptitude à l’Utilisation – French temperament test involves basic obedience and temperament testing.
CH Champion (prefix)
CH Tr. Working Trial Champion
ROM Register of Merit, requirements vary based on breed
TDI Therapy Dog International
CHIC Varies based on breed, dog has met a list of health test requirements set by the national breed club
Mjr Ptd Dog is major pointed in conformation
HIT High in Trial
RHIT Reserve High in Trial
 
FRENCH RING
FR Brevet The entry level title in French Ring, combines obedience and protection work, is considered a working certificate and only has to be passed once
FRI Level one, a combination of obedience, agility and protection work, requires 2 passing scores under different judges
FRII Level two, a combination of obedience, agility and protection work, requires 2 passing scores under different judges
FRIII Level three, the highest level in French Ring, a combination of obedience, agility and protection work, requires 2 passing scores under different judges
FR Level X Used to denote when a dog has earned one leg at level X, also shown as FR lvl X
 
MONDIO RING
MR Brevet The entry level title in Mondio Ring, combines obedience and protection work. Is not a requirement to compete at MRI
MRI Level one, a combination of obedience, agility and protection work
MRII Level two, a combination of obedience, agility and protection work
MRIII Level three, the highest level in French Ring, a combination of obedience, agility and protection work
In Mondio Ring a dog must earn two legs at level I or II to advance to the next level (II or III). OR a dog can compete in MR at the level it is currently competing at in Sch or FR. IE a dog competing at FRII can compete at MRII even if it has never trialed in MR before.
 
SCHUTZHUND
AD 12 1/2 mile endurance run
BH Similar to a combination of the CD and CGC tests  The BH Test Explained, required before a dog can compete in any other Sch comeptitions/levels
SchHA The SchI obedience and protection phases, no tracking
SchHI, SchHII, SchHIII comprising three phases -tracking,obedience and protection. dog must pass all three phases to earn title
IPOI, IPOII, IPOIII depending on when they were earned, the same as the SchI, II, or III, or some slight rule differences – International Prufungorden
VPGI, VPGII, VPGIII depending on when they were earned, the same as the SchI, II, or III, or some slight rule differences
FH advanced tracking title (comparable to TDX)
FHII highest level Sch tracking title, similar to a VST
WH watchdog title
KKL Koerklasse means the dog is certified as eligible for breeding under the German breed survey system, ratings are I and II, requirements vary based on breed
 
PSA
PDC The entry level certificate in PSA. Protection Dog Certificate is a basic protection-dog certificate, judged on a pass-fail basis, meant to evaluate protection-trained dogs in basic obedience and controlled protection routines.
TC This is the entry-level obedience title. The dog and handler must establish their ability to be under control both on leash and off leash during pre-determined obedience routines, and that the dog has a safe and sound temperament in public. Same obedience routine as the PSA1.
PSA1 The first competition level in PSA. Includes obedience and protection work, done on and off leash. Is considered the hardest test of the dogs character in PSA. Requires one passing performance to earn the title.
PSA2 Includes obedience, agility and protection work. Scenario based. Tests the dogs character, but is more a test of the training/trainer. Requires 2 legs to earn the title.
PSA3 The highest level of competition in PSA. Requires 2 legs to earn the title.
   
HERDING TITLES
Each of these titles can have a livestock specific suffix: d for ducks, s for sheep, g for goats, ge for geese, or c for cattle. They may also have a course suffix. IE HIAs is Herding Intermediate, Course A, on sheep. HSBc would be Herding Started, Course B on cattle.
HIC Herding Instinct Certified
HCH Herding Companion (prefix) (AKC)
HI Herding Intermediate (AKC)
HS Herding Started (AKC)
HT Herding Tested (AKC)
HX Herding Excellent (AKC)
PT Pre-Trial Tested (AKC)
HCT Herding Capable Tested (AHBA)
JHD Junior Herd Dog (AHBA)
HTDI Herding Trial Dog, first level (AHBA)
HTDII Herding Trial Dog, second level (AHBA)
HTDIII Herding Trial Dog, third level (AHBA)
HRDI Herding Ranch Dog, first level (AHBA)
HRDII Herding Ranch Dog, second level (AHBA)
HRDIII Herding Ranch Dog, third level (AHBA)
HTADI Herding Trial ?? Dog, first level (AHBA)
HTADII Herding Trial ?? Dog, second level (AHBA)
HTADIII Herding Trial ?? Dog, third level (AHBA)
ATD Advanced Trial Dog (ASCA)
OTD Open Trial Dog (ASCA)
RD Ranch Dog (dog has been evaluated by a judge while doing its routine farm tasks & certified to be a useful working dog) (ASCA)
STD Started Trial Dog (ASCA)
WTCH Working Trial Champion (prefix)  (dog has earned ATD on all 3 types of stock) (ASCA)
   
FLYBALL TITLES
FD Flyball Dog (NAFA)
FDX Flyball Dog Excellent (NAFA)
FDCh Flyball Champion (NAFA)
FDM Flyball Master (NAFA)
FMX Flyball Master Excellent (NAFA)
FMch Flyball Master Champion (NAFA)
ONYX Award based on points (NAFA)
FDGCh Flyball Grand Champion (NAFA)
TF-I, TF-II, TF-III Top Flight (U-FLI)
TFE-I, TFE-II, TFE-III Top Flight Executive (U-FLI)
TFP-I, TFP-II, TFP-III Top Flight Premier (U-FLI)
TFFC-I, TFFC-II, TFFC-III Top Flight First Class (U-FLI)
TFWC-I, TFWC-II, TFWC-III Top Flight World Class (U-FLI)
TFX-I, TFX-II, TFX-III Top Flight Extreme (U-FLI)
TFU-I, TFU-II, TFU-III Top Flight Ultimate (U-FLI)
   
AGILITY TITLES
AX Agility Excellent (AKC)
MX Master Agility Excellent (AKC)
NA Novice Agility (AKC)
OA Open Agility (AKC)
NAJ Novice Jumper With Weaves (AKC)
OAJ Open Jumper With Weaves (AKC)
AXJ Excellent Jumper With Weaves (AKC)
MXJ Master Jumper With Weaves (AKC)
U-AGI Agility I (UKC)
U-AGII Agility II (UKC)
U-ACH Agility Champion (UKC)
U-ACHX Agility Champion Excellent (UKC)
AD Agility Dog (USDAA)
VAD Veteran Agility Dog (USDAA)
VAAD Veteran Advanced Agility Dog (USDAA)
VMAD Veteran Master Agility Dog (USDAA)
VS Veterans Snooker
VJ Veterans Jumper
VG Veterans Gambler
VPD Veteran Performance Dog
AAD Advanced Agility Dog (USDAA)
MAD Master Agility Dog (USDAA)
SM Snooker Master (USDAA)
GM Gambler Master (USDAA)
PM Pairs Master (USDAA)
JM Jumpers Master (USDAA)
ADCH Agility Dog Champion (USDAA)
ADC Agility Dog of Canada (AAC)
AADC Advanced Agility Dog of Canada (AAC)
MADC Master Agility Dog of Canada (AAC)
O-, S- Outstanding, Superior Peformance, prefixed to any NADAC title
NAC, NAC-V, NAC-JH Novice Standard, Veterans, Junior Handler (NADAC)
OAC, OAC-V, OAC-JH Open Standard, Veterans, Junior Handler (NADAC)
EAC, EAC-V, EAC-JH Elite Standard, Veterans, Junior Handler (NADAC)
NGC, NGC-V, NGC-JH Novice Gamblers, Veterans, Junior Handler (NADAC)
OGC, OGC-V, OGC-JH Open Gamblers, Veterans, Junior Handler (NADAC)
EGC, EGC-V, EGG-JH Elite Gamblers, Veterans, Junior Handler (NADAC)
NJC, NJC-V, NJC-JH Novice Jumpers, Veterans, Junior Handler (NADAC)
OJC, OJC-V, OJC-JH Open Jumpers, Veterans, Junior Handler (NADAC)
EJC, EJC-V, EJC-JH Elite Jumpers, Veterans, Junior Handler (NADAC)
NATCh Agility Trial Champion (NADAC)
CL1-R, CL2-R, CL3-R, CL4-R Standard levels 1, 2, 3, 4 (CPE)
CL1-H, CL2-H, CL3-H, CL4-H Handler levels 1, 2, 3, 4 (CPE)
CL1-S, CL2-S, CL3-S, CL4-S Strategy levels 1, 2, 3, 4 (CPE)
CL1-F, CL2-F, CL3-F, CL4-F Fun levels 1, 2, 3, 4 (CPE)
C-ATCH CPE Agility Trial Champion
C-ATE CPE Agility Team Extraordinaire
 
OBEDIENCE & TRACKING TITLES (AKC/UKC/APDT) 
RL-1 Rally Level 1 (APDT)
RL-2 Rally Level 2 (APDT)
RL-3 Rally Level 3 (APDT)
RN Rally Novice (AKC)
RA Rally Advanced (AKC)
RE Rally Excellent (AKC)
RAE Rally Advanced Excellent (AKC)
CD Companion Dog (AKC, CKC)
CDX Companion Dog Excellent (AKC, CKC)
UD Utility Dog (AKC, CKC)
UDX Utility Dog Excellent (AKC)
U-CD Companion Dog (prefix) (UKC)
U-CDX Companion Dog Excellent (prefix) (UKC)
U-UD Utility Dog (prefix) (UKC)
OTCh Obedience Trial Champion (prefix) (AKC, CKC)
TD Tracking Dog (AKC, CKC)
TDX Tracking Dog Excellent (AKC, CKC)
VST Variable Surface Tracking (AKC)
CT Champion Tracker (a dog with a TD, TDX and VST) (AKC)
VCD I Versatile Companion Dog (AKC) has completed CD, NA, NAJ, TD or CD, NAP, NJP, TD
VCD II Versatile Companion Dog (AKC) has completed CDX, OA, OAJ, TD or CDX, OAP, OJP, TD
VCD III Versatile Companion Dog (AKC) has completed UD, AX, AXJ, TDX or UD, AXP, AJP, TDX
VCD IV 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
   
BARN HUNT  
RATI instinct test
RATN novice
RATNX novice excellent
RATO open
RATOX open excellent
RATS senior
RATSX senior excellent
RATM master
RATMX master excellent
RATCH champion
RATCHX champion excellent
CZ8B Crazy 8s Bronze, 500 points accumulated.
CZ8S Crazy 8s Silver, CZ8B plus 500 points for a total of 1000 points.
CZ8G Crazy 8s Gold, CZ8S plus 500 points for a total of 1,500 points.
CZ8P Crazy 8s Platinum, CZ8G plus 500 points for a total of 2000 points.
National Championship Titles – The following titles are available only at the Barn Hunt National competition.
RGC Games Champion. This title is awarded to the dog who receives the Gold Medal in Games competition at any Barn Hunt National.
RVC Versatility Champion. This title is awarded to the dog who receives the Gold Medal in Versatility competition at any Barn Hunt National
RGNC Grand National Champion. This title is awarded to the dog who receives the Gold Medal in the Grand National at any Barn Hunt National.
 
NOSE WORK 
NW1 Passing this titles shows a proficiency in one odor (birch). There are four elements (container, interior, exterior, vehicles) with one hidden odor in each element.
NW2 Passing NW2 shows a proficiency in two odors (birch and anise). There are four elements (container, interior, exterior, vehicles) with one- two hides in each element (number of hides will be stated for each element. The container search will contain at least one distractor (food, toys etc.).
NW3 A title in NW3 shows a proficiency in three odors (birch, anise, clove). One-three hides may be in three of the elements (containers, exteriors and vehicles). Interior hides may have 0-3 hides, a room without hides is a blank room and must be called 'CLEAR' to finish the search.
NW3 Elite Awarded after a team earns three NW3 titles
NW3 Element Titles This is given after a team has successfully passed one element at NW3 level, three times. An example would be, passing an NW3 vehicle search at three separate trials, would earn a NW3-V title. A dog who passes NW3 is considered to be at the level of a professional detection canine.
 
Dock Diving 
List of Titles by Organization

5 thoughts on “Titles and Abbreviations

  1. Lisa Grims

    Awesome website and better yet content! Will undoubtedly be back soon.

  2. I think so too, Crystal. I hope to get at least his CDX on him. My dream is kind of to title him in at least five sports- Rally, Obedience, Agility, Flyball, and eihter Weight Pull or Dock Dogs.

  3. gjr

    In order to acquire the Triple Q Excellent title, a dog must receive qualifying scores from the Master Standard Class, the Master Jumpers with Weaves Class and the Master FAST Class on the same day at 10 separate licensed agility trials.

  4. Ann

    I came here to look up one title. only to find so many.  Great job!  I recently retired from rescuing dachshunds, most tween to standard size elders who had lost their owners to divorce or death, so I never had much cause to sport a pedigreed dog.  I did look into earth dog trials for the only two young dogs I had, but in Arizona, the risk of the Hantavirus is too great.  Having said this, I do think there are enough titles out there that with a little training & love any dog can probably have at least one title, hehe.

  5. Masteritets

    Triple Champion: Any dog that has been awarded the title of Dual Champion (DC) and the title of Obedience Trial Champion (OTCH) or Tracking Champion (CT) or Agility Champion (MACH or PACH) may be designated as a Triple Champion.

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