Titles and Their Meanings

Title-Awarding Organizations

Every attempt has been made to include all titles from officially-recognized sources. AKC titles do not show a prefix, but appear "as-is" (Ch, CD, etc.). Non-AKC registries with identical titles will have a prefix assigned to the title to distinguish from the AKC title of the same name (e.g., Can. Ch. for a Canadian Champion, U-CD for a CD awarded from UKC, and so forth). Titles from non-primary registries may be added to the database when the owner sends or e-mails a copy of the official title certificate. As many of these organizations do not maintain a central registry, this is the only way I have to verify title claims for these organizations at this time.

ACC - American Chesapeake Club. Offers two titling programs, Working Certificate, and Register of Merit.

AKC - American Kennel Club. The primary registering body in the United States, and the largest registry for Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. Oldest all-breed registry in the US.

CKC - Canadian Kennel Club. The primary registering body in Canada. Canadian titles are indicated by the letters Can.

HRC - Hunting Retriever Club, an affiliate of UKC. The HRC awards hunting titles to dogs who achieve qualifying scores at HRC Hunts. Titles go before a dog's name.

NAFA - North American Flyball Association. Awards titles to dogs who compete successfully in flyball tournemants throught North America.

NAHRA - North American Hunting Retriever Association. NAHRA has been holding Hunting Retriever Tests since the 1980s, with US-wide participation. Titles are awarded for Basic retrieving skills, all the way up to Grand Master level. Mid- and upper-level tests include upland and trailing components.

UKC - United Kennel Club. Second oldest all-breed registry in the US. Holds all-breed conformation, obedience, agility, and dock dog trials. All UKC titles appear before the dog's name.

Title Abbreviations

**** - Part of the "star system" created by Eve Keeler in the 1970s. Four stars appear before the dog's name, and indicate the dog is a field trial producer. Dogs who produce five or more and bitches who produce four or more offspring with field trial accomplishments are given the **** designation. This is not an official title.

*** - Indicates a dog that has achieved Qualified All-Age status at licensed or member field trials. When preceded by a letter, indicates it was earned in a country other than the US. When followed by a letter, indicates the dog earned that level of accomplishment in both the US and the country listed. (Country Abbreviations: c=Canada, d=Denmark, e=England, g=Germany, i=Republic of Ireland, n=Norway, s=Sweden, t=Netherlands

** - A dog with a minor stakes field trial ribbon, but not QAA. Letter designations are as above.

* - This indicates a dog who has earned at least one leg in an AKC hunt test. This is the equivalent of an ACC WD title.

AFC - Amateur Field Champion. Field trial title earned by winning an all-breed first place and a total of 15 points in Amateur or Owner-Handled Amateur stakes, or an all-breed first place and 10 points in an Open, Limited, Special, or Restricted stake, when handled by an amateur. Abbreviated AFTCh in Canada.

AJP - Agility Excellent Jumper Preferred. Dog has three qualifying runs competing in the Excellent Preferred jump height class.

AX - Agility Excellent. Dog has three qualifying runs in Excellent Standard classes.

AXJ - Agility Excellent Jumper. Dog has three qualifying runs in Excellent Jumper classes.

AXP - Agility Excellent Preferred. Dog has three qualifying runs in Excellent Jumper Preferred jump height classes.

BIS - Best in Show. Dog has won Best in Show at an all-breed show.

BISS - Best in Specialty Show. Dog has earned Best of Breed at an independently held Chesapeake Bay Retriever Specialty show.

BN - Beginner Novice. Dog has qualified at three AKC obedience trials in the Beginner Novice class.

Br* - Dog has at least one Sporting Group placement, but has not earned a Championship.

Br** - Dog has won a Sporting Group, but has not completed its Championship.

CA - Coursing Ability. Dog has qualified three times in AKC Coursing Ability tests.

CAA - Coursing Ability Advanced. Dog has earned ten qualifying scores in AKC Coursing Ability tests.

CAX - Coursing Ability Excellent - Dog has earned twenty-five qualifying scores at Coursing Ability tests. Each additional 25 qualifying scores rates a numerical addendum (CAX2, CAX3, etc.)

CD - Companion Dog. An obedience trial title awarded to dogs who pass minimum requirements for good behavior. Typical exercises include walking at heel, coming when called, allowing a stranger to examine, and remaining in a "stay" position in a lineup of strange dogs. Depending on registry and coountry, may appear before or after the name. A star after an obedience title indicates the dog has achieved at least one all-breed High in Trial award.

CDX - Companion Dog Excellent. The second level of obedience, which includes retrieving and jumping exercises, as well as sit and down stays while the handler is out of the dog's sight. Depending on registry, it may appear before or after the dog's name. A star after an obedience title indicates the dog has achieved at least one all-breed High in Trial award.

Ch - Champion of record. A competitive conformation title earned by defeating other dogs of the same breed, based on comparison to the Standard of Perfection for that breed. Appears in front of the name.

Ch* - A Champion who has also achieved one or more placements in the Sporting Group.

Ch** - A Champion who has also won at least one Sporting Group first place award.

CT - Champion Tracker. A dog who has earned  TD, TDX and VST titles. This is a prefix title.

DC - Dual Champion. Dog has earned the Fiald Champion and conformation Champion titles.

FC - Field Champion. Earned by winning an all-breed first place and a total of ten points in Open, Limited, Special, or Restricted stakes at licensed or member field trials.

FD - Flyball Dog. Title earned by dogs participating in flyball competition. Points are earned for successful runs; faster times earn more points. FD requires a total of 20 points.

FDX - Flyball Dog Excellent. Requires 100 points.

FDCh - Flyball Dog Champion. Earned when a dog has accumulated 500 points.

FDCh-S - Flyball Dog Champion-Silver, earned when a dog reaches 1,000 points.

FDCh-G - Flyball Dog Champion-Gold. Earned when a dog accumulates 2,500 points.

FDGCh - Flyball Grand Champion. Awarded after dog has reached 30,000 total points.

FM - Flyball Master. Dog reaches 5,000 points.

FMX - Flyball Master Excellent. Dog must reach 10,000 points.

FMCh - Flyball Master Champion, earned at 15,000 points.

FMCh-Onyx - Awarded after dog has reached 20,000 points.

FTC - FAST Century. Dog has earned a MXF title, plus 100 additional Excellent B FAST qualifying runs of 60 or more points at AKC agility trials. Additional 100 qualifications are indicated by a number (FTC2, FTC3, etc.)

FTCP - FAST Century Preferred. Dog has earned the FAST Century title while competing in Preferred jump height classes.

GCh - Grand Champion. Title earned from points won after the Champion title is attained. The Grand Champion title has three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold.

GMHR - Grand Master Hunting Retriever, NAHRA title. Dog must qualify in 15 Senior-level NAHRA tests.

GMHRCh - Grand Master Hunting Retriever Champion, NAHRA title. Dog must have qualified in 50 Senior-level tests.

GN - Graduate Novice. Dog has three qualifying scores in AKC Graduate Novice obedience classes.

GO - Graduate Open. Dog has earned three qualifying scores in Graduate Open classes at AKC obedience trials.

GrHRCh - Grand Hunting Retriever Champion - Dog must earn HRCh title, and successfully compete at Grand Hunts held periodically by HRC.

HC - Dog has won Highest Combined Score in Open & Utility classes at an all-breed obedience trial.

HIT - Dog has won Highest Scoring Dog in Trial award at an all-breed obedience trial.

HR(N) - Hunting Retriever, NAHRA title. Dog must show obedience and basic control, do doubles and trailing. The N is added to distinguish it from the HRC title.

HR(U) - Hunting Retriever. Mid-Level HRC title. Dog must be steady when shot over, do doubles and simple blinds. The U is added to distinguish it from the NAHRA title with the same letters.

HRCh - Hunting Retriever Champion. Upper-Level HRC title. Dog must be able to do multiple marks and blinds in complex simulated hunting conditions.

JH - Junior Hunter. Dog has earned four qualifying scores at the introductory level of hunt tests in AKC or CKC. Singles and basic line manners.

MACh - Master Agility CHampion. Title earned from Excellent B classes in agility. A dog must have earned the AX and AXJ titles before accumulating points toward the MACh. MACh titles can be earned multiple times, with a number appended to indicate multiple MACh titles (e.g. MACh3).

MFP - Master Excellent FAST Preferred. Dog has ten qualifying runs in the Excellent B FAST class at AKC Agility trials in the Preferred jump height class.

MH - Master Hunter. Dog can do multiple marks and multiple blinds in complex test settings, and must honor another dog's work. In Canada, the dog must also complete an upland hunting scenario. In AKC, requires six qualifying scores, or five if the dog already has the SH title.

MHR - Master Hunting Retriever, NAHRA title. Dog must do triples and blinds in combination, advanced upland work, and trailing. Dogs must show a high degree of ability and obedience.

MJP - Master Excellent Jumper Preferred. Dog has ten qualifying runs in Excellent B Jumpers classes at AKC Agility trials in the Preferred jump height class.

MX - Master Excellent. Dog has ten qualifying runs in Excellent Standard Agility courses.

MXF - Master Excellent FAST. Dog has ten qualifying runs on Excellent B FAST courses.

MXJ - Master Excellent Jumper. Dog has ten qualifying runs in Excellent B Jumpers class.

MXP - Master Excellent Preferred. Dog has ten qualifying runs in Excellent B Class at the Preferred jump height.

NA - Novice agility. Introductory level of AKC agility trials.

NAC - National Agility Champion. A dog who has won the National Agility Championship.

NAFC - National Amateur Field Champion. Dog has won the National Amateur Retriever Championship stake.

NAJ - Novice Agility jumper. Dog has three qualifying runs in Novice Jumper classes.

NAP - Novice Agility Preferred. Dog has three qualifications in Novice agility classes at the Preferred jump height.

NBISS - Dog has won Best of Breed at an ACC National Specialty Show.

NF - Novice FAST. Dog has three qualifyig runs in Novice FAST courses.

NFC - National Field Champion. Dog has won the National Open Field Trial Championship stake.

NFP - Novice FAST Preferred. Dog has earned the Novice FAST title competing at the Preferred jump height.

NJP - Novice Jumpers Preferred. Dog has three qualifying scores in Novice Jumpers clases at the Preferred jump height.

NOC - National Obedience Champion. Dog has won the AKC's National Obedience Invitational competition.

OA - Open Agility. Dog has earned three qualifying scores in Open Standard Agility classes.

OAJ - Open Agility Jumpers. Dog has earned three qualifying scores in Open Jumpers With Weaves classes.

OAP - Open Agility Preferred. Three scores in Open classes at Preferred height.

OF - Open FAST. Dog has earned three qualifying scores in Open FAST competition.

OFP - Open FAST Preferred. Dog has three qualifying runs in Open FAST classes at the Preferred height level.

OGM - Obedience Grand Master. Dog has earned ten Obedience Master levels.

OJP - Open Jumpers Preferred. Dog has three qualifying runs at Open level in the Preferred height class.

OM - Obedience Master. Dog has earned 200 OM points by scoring 190 or better in Open B or Utility B classes. Additional OM titles are indicated by a numerical suffix (OM2, OM3, etc.)

OTCh - Obedience Trial Champion - AKC -Dog has earned the Utility Dog title, and has accumulated 100 points & 3 first places in Open and Utility classes. Points are awarded by placing in the class, and are awarded on a sliding scale based on number of dogs competing. CKC - Dog has earned the Utility Dog title.

PAX - Preferred Agility Excellent. Dog must earn 20 double qualifications in Excellent B Preferred and Excellent B Jumpers Preferred classes.

RN - Rally Novice. Introductore level of Rally Obedience trials. All exercises performed on leash at handler & Dog's own pace. Handler may talk to, praise, and encourage dog while in the ring.

RA -Rally Advanced. Second level of Rally Obedience. Dog must perform routine off lead. Handler may encourage and talk to dog.

RAE - Rally Advanced Excellent. Earned after dog has acquired the Rally Excellent title. Dog must qualify in both Advanced B and Excellent B at the same trial ten times. Additional RAE titles may be earned, and a number will be appended to the title to indicate what level the dog has achieved (For instance, RAE2 is a dog that has earned 20 double qualifying scores in Advanved B and Excellent B at the same trial).

RE - Rally Excellent. Dog has earned three qualifying scores in Rally Excellent classes. This is the highest level of Rally competition.

SH - Senior Hunter. Dog can do doubles and simple blinds (AKC), and must honor. In Canada, dog must also do a simple upland test.

ShCh - Show Champion. Designation in the UK for dogs that have not met the field requirements for their full Championship.

SHR - Started Hunting Retriever. Introductory level of HRC titles. Simple singles and basic line manners are required.

SR - Started Hunting Retriever title awarded by NAHRA. Dogs are tested on five single marks, land & water. Basic obedience and natural ability are assessed.

T2B - Time 2 Beat. 15 qualifying scores and 100 total points from the Time 2 Beat class at AKC agility trials.

T2BP - Time 2 Beat Preferred. 15 qualifying scores and 100 total points from the Time 2 Beat Preferred class at AKC agility trials.

TC - Triple Champion. For Retriever breeds, dog must have earned the Ch and FC titles, and an OTCh, MACh or CT title.

TD - Tracking Dog. Dog has qualified at an AKC Tracking test.

TDX - Tracking Dog Excellent. Doghaspassed a Tracking Dog Excellent test.

TQX - Triple Q Excellent. Dog has qualified in Excellent B, Excellent B Jumpers and Excellent B FAST classes on the same day (Triple Qualify) ten times.

TQXP - Triple Q Excellent Preferred. Dog has qualified in Excellent B, Excellent B Jumpers and Excellent B FAST classes on the same day (Triple Qualify) ten times at the Preferred jump height.

UD - Utility Dog. Dog has earned this title at the highest level of obedience classes currently offered by AKC.

UDX - Dog has earned the UD title, and has qualified in both Open and Utility at the same trial ten times. Additional UDX titles may be won when the dog's toital for double qualifications reaches 20, 30, etc. The title will show as a number appended to the UDX title (UDX2, for example, has earned 20 double qualifications in Open and Utility).

VCCH - Versatile Companion Champion. A dog which has won all three of OTCh, CT & MACh titles in AKC competitions.

VCD1 - Versatile Companion Dog 1. Dog has earned the CD, TD, NA & NAJ (or NAP & NJP) titles.

VCD2 - Versatile Companion Dog 2. Dog Has earned CDX, TD, OA & OAJ (or OAP & OJP) titles.

VCD3 - Versatile Companion Dog 3. Dog has UD, TDX, AX & AXJ (or AXP & AJP) titles.

VCD4 - Versatile Companion Dog 4. Dog has UDX, VST, MX & MXK (or MXP & MJP) titles.

VER - Dog has earned the Versatile obedience title by competing in the Versatility classes at obedience trials.

VST - Variable Surface Tracker. Dog has passed a VST test covering tracking in variable surfaces including concrete, gravel or other hard surface tracking.

WD - Working Dog. Offered by the ACC, a basic working test of a dog's hunting instincts.

WDX - Working Dog Excellent. Dog must show both natural and trained skills, steady, deliver to hand, doubles.

WDQ - Requires more training than WDX. Dog must be able to do triples and blinds. No honor in the WDQ test.

WR - Working Retriever, NAHRA title. Dog must do doubles and blinds, an upland series, and trail a crippled bird.

XF - Excellent Fast. Dog has qualified three times in Excellent FAST classes.

XFP - Excellent FAST Preferred. Three qualifications in Excellent FAST classes at Preferred jump height.