From AKC to UD - A Dog Buyer's Guide to Acronyms
Learning to Understand the Bewildering World of Canine Abbreviations
Mar 29, 2009
You just keep smiling while trying to look intelligent, although you really haven’t a clue what all that means! But these acronyms are common in the purebred dog world. If you want a healthy, registered, smart, purebred puppy, you should learn what these letters stand for before you buy.
Abbreviations of Dog Registry Names
In North America, most breeds are registered by the AKC (American Kennel Club), CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) or UKC (United Kennel Club). Former racing greyhounds may be registered with the NGA (National Greyhound Association).
There are a few other breed-specific registries for Border Collies, Beagles, Foxhounds, bird dogs and Coonhounds. Some dogs may be registered with more than one: for example, with both the NGA and CKC.
Elsewhere, there is an international dog organization called the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale). Many countries also have their own national kennel clubs (and their own list of acronyms).
Titles Earned in Dog Shows
Purebred, registered dogs can compete for many different conformation titles and sometimes travel to different countries to earn additional ones. These titles are earned by being judged on how close they are to the ideal of their breed, how well they move and their overall quality.
A dog that has earned enough points or certificates to meet the requirements of a Champion gets CH or Ch. in front of its registered name. The title may specify where it was earned. For example, Can. Am. Ch. is a Canadian and American Champion and a SUCH is a Swedish Conformation Champion.
An important win at an individual show may include BPIG (Best Puppy in Group) or BIS, BPIS or BISS (Best in Show, Best Puppy in Show, Best in Specialty Show). A WW-91 was World Winner (the best male or female in that breed) at the 1991 FCI World Show.
Dog Obedience and Working Titles
These titles have changed over the years, with new ones being added regularly. Some of the basic obedience titles includes CD (Companion Dog), CDX (Companion Dog Excellent) and UD (Utility Dog). A dog that wins all three tiles in Canada is an OTCH (Obedience Trial Champion) but in the USA, different requirements must be met for an OTCH. When a dog has the highest score of all dogs entered in an obedience trial, he has an HIT (High in Trial). Tracking dog titles include the TD and more difficult TDX. A dog with a UD that also has a TD title can use UDT after his name.
Additional competitions open to any breed capable of doing the work include weight pulling, water rescue, protection (Schutzhund and RingSport), search and rescue, agility, Rally-O, flyball and scent hurdle racing. There are many more working titles specifically for herding dogs, setters, spaniels, retrievers, pointers, hounds, terriers and sled dogs. Check with specific breed clubs or dog sports organizations to find out more, because a whole page would be needed to explain the acronyms for all these titles!
Canine Health Acronyms
Two of the most common ones are OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) which records the names of dogs that pass certain health clearances (most commonly hip and bone x-rays and heart tests) and CERF (Canine Eye Registry Foundation) which keeps records of eye examinations. Both track inherited diseases in dogs.
Common genetic health problems include HD (hip dysplasia) and eye problems like PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) and CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly). There are more, some of which are breed-specific. More information is available at the OFA web site or from individual breed clubs.
For a list of the many conformation, sport and working titles available, just Google any of the major kennel clubs mentioned previously.
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