Titles. Titles. Titles.
Do they matter? What do they mean?
Conformation and/or working titles prove that a dog or bitch has been judged as having physical and/or mental qualities worthy of passing on to the breed. Show ring and performance competitions act as a standard by which a dog's physical attributes, general temperament, and movement are judged.
It is important to look at the titles throughout the generations of the pedigrees that interest you. They will give you an indication of the quality of stock represented throughout a litter's background and the type of breeding it is. For example, if you are looking for an American show prospect, you should look at litters from AKC Ch. (champion) titled parents.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a working/sport prospect, you would be best off looking at litters from working-titled parents. If neither show nor working competition is important to you, and you are looking for a family dog, focus especially on the parents' traits that you are looking for. If the parents are healthy, friendly and confident, chances are that the puppies will be the same.
Here is a list of some of the common titles you'll see on pedigrees, and their meanings:
Conformation ("Show")
Temperament:
Do they matter? What do they mean?
Conformation and/or working titles prove that a dog or bitch has been judged as having physical and/or mental qualities worthy of passing on to the breed. Show ring and performance competitions act as a standard by which a dog's physical attributes, general temperament, and movement are judged.
It is important to look at the titles throughout the generations of the pedigrees that interest you. They will give you an indication of the quality of stock represented throughout a litter's background and the type of breeding it is. For example, if you are looking for an American show prospect, you should look at litters from AKC Ch. (champion) titled parents.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a working/sport prospect, you would be best off looking at litters from working-titled parents. If neither show nor working competition is important to you, and you are looking for a family dog, focus especially on the parents' traits that you are looking for. If the parents are healthy, friendly and confident, chances are that the puppies will be the same.
Here is a list of some of the common titles you'll see on pedigrees, and their meanings:
Conformation ("Show")
- Ch. (Champion) of a particular kennel club such as UDC Ch., DV (German) Ch., or AKC Ch.
- Sieger (Male "Victor"). The Europeans hold 5 Sieger shows each year, so the title will generally be preceded by the organization (i.e. Welt [World], DV, IDC)
- Siegerin (Female "Victor")
- CD (Companion Dog) the most basic obedience title
- CDX (Companion Dog Excellent) the next highest title
- UD (Utility Dog) the most advanced level of obedience competition
- UDX (Utility Dog Excellent) shows more proficiency at the Utility level
- OTCH (Obedience Trial Champion) the most difficult obedience title to earn
- T1 - UDC tracking title (equivalent to schutzhund 1 track)
- T2 - UDC tracking title (equivalent to schutzhund 2 track)
- T3 - UDC tracking title (equivalent to schutzhund 3 track)
- FH - advanced schutzhund tracking title (more difficult than Schutzhund 3 tracking)
- FH2 - extremely difficult schutzhund tracking title
- TD - (Tracking Dog) AKC basic tracking title (approx. equivalent to Schutzhund 3 track)
- TDX - (Tracking Dog Excellent) AKC advanced tracking title (approx. equivalent to FH track)
- VST - (Variable Surface Tracker) AKC extremely difficult tracking title (approx. equivalent to FH2 track)
Temperament:
- BH or B - basic temperament test for schutzhund
- WAC - basic American temperament test given by the DPCA (Working Aptitude Certificate)
- TT - all-breed temperament test based on the WAC test
- SchH 1 - first level schutzhund title
- SchH 2 - second level schutzhund title
- SchH 3 - third level schutzhund title
- IPO 1 - similar to SchH 1, minor rule variations
- IPO 2 - similar to SchH 2, minor rule variations
- IPO 3 - similar to SchH 3, minor rule variations
- ADPr or AD - endurance title showing a willingness to work after physical stress
- ZTP - fit for breeding test involving a conformation evaluation, a temperament test, and the SchH 1 protection routine
- Angek - the Koerung, similar to the ZTP in structure but much harder (can be annual or for life)
- NA (Novice Agility) - Basic level agility
- OA (Open Agility) - Intermediate level agility
- AX (Agility Excellent) - Advanced level agility
- MAX (Master Agility Excellent) - Highest agility title