LEARN THE MEANINGS OF THE ABBREVIATIONS YOU’VE SEEN ON THIS WEBSITE

AD (Ausauerprufung)

An endurance test in which the dog runs 20 kilometers (about 12.5 miles) at an average speed of 7.7-9.5 miles per hour while a handler bicycles. There are two rest stops during the run, and at the completion of the AD, the dog must perform an obedience routine. The AD is a required element of the Breed Survey (Körung).

AKC (American Kennel Club)

The parent dog club in the United States, which oversees and registers purebred dogs. AKC is an organization, established under the laws of the State of New York, whose goals are to adopt and enforce uniform rules regulating and governing dog shows and field trials; to regulate the conduct of persons interested in exhibiting, running, breeding, registering, purchasing, and selling dogs; to detect, prevent, and punish frauds in connection therewith; to protect the interest of its members; to maintain and publish an official stud book and an official gazette; and generally to do everything to advance the study, breeding, exhibiting, running, and maintenance of the purity of purebred dogs.

 Canine Good Citizen (CGC)

Outreach program, put on by a club, which tests a dog's behavior. The test varies a little with each club, but the dog must demonstrate good nerve, very basic obedience and loyalty to the handler.

CD (Companion Dog)

The first level of obedience titles offered by the American Kennel Club. The dog must heel on and off lead, come when called, stand for examination without moving and remain in a sit and down position with other dogs while the handler is positioned across the ring. The dog must receive a qualifying score in three separate AKC shows under three different judges to earn a title.

CDX (Companion Dog Excellence)

An advanced obedience title offered by the American Kennel Club. The dog must heel entirely off lead, come when called and down immediately on command while doing the recall. The dog must also retrieve a dumbbell on the flat and over a high jump and must stay in a sit with a group of dogs for three minutes and a down for five minutes while the handler is out of sight. The dog must receive a qualifying score in three separate AKC shows under three different judges to earn a title.

CH (Champion)

Excellent Agility (AX)

This is the most advanced agility offered by AKC with very complex courses. Once the dog qualifies at 3 different trials under 2 different judges, a suffix title is conferred on the dog..

Excellent Jumpers (AXJ)

This is the most advanced jumpers agility offered by AKC with very complex courses. Once the dog qualifies at 3 different trials under 2 different judges, a suffix title is conferred on the dog..

FH

This is an advanced tracking title awarded by USA and the SV.  In the past few years, a new title of FH2 has been introduced. This is an even more challenging tracking title with many difficulties. The original FH title is now designated as either FH or FH1.   

HD Zuchtwert

A new program established in Germany to provide an estimate of "Breed Worthiness." This program became effective in Germany July 1, 1999, and the goal is to eliminate or significantly reduce hip dysplasia (HD) in German Shepherds. "Breed Worthiness" is a value that attempts to estimate which genes are likely to be passed-on to the next generation of breeding dogs. It is based on using hip dysplasia data of all relatives, parents, grandparents, litter mates and progeny to predict hip dysplasia status and the breed value of the dog. The goal is for the sire and dam to have an average HD Zuchtwert of 100 points or less, so the lower the point value, the better the rating.

IABCA ( International All Breed Canine Association)

The International All Breed Canine Association of America (IABCA) began more than twenty years ago with the intent of making an International "UCI" Championship Title available to the American public while not exposing the dogs to the danger and inconvenience of international travel. To accomplish this, an association was formed with an International Association of dog clubs headquartered in Germany, the Union Cynologie International (UCI). The UCI organization has been in existence for over 30 years. There are many countries, throughout Europe, North America and the Far East, represented in the association, making it a truly International Organization. Through this International Organization (UCI), International Titles are awarded to dogs who meet the requirements.

IABCA shows are held in accordance with the regulations and guidelines that have been established by UCI. These guidelines provide for a WRITTEN CRITIQUE FOR EACH DOG ENTERED and a rating number of how well the dog conforms to the International "UCI" breed standards. The International 'UCI' standards are based on the 'country of origin' for each breed, if possible.

IPO

An internationally recognized title very similar to Schutzhund.

KKL (Korklasse)

The designation which follows a dog's name which has been Breed Surveyed. 

Lebenszeit (LBZ)

Breed surveyed for lifetime. This designation will appear after the KKL1 or KKL2 as such--KKL1-lbz. This means the dogs has repeated the breed survey tests as required with the time frame necessary and has achieved the lifetime rating as recommended (KKL1) or suitable (KKL2) for breeding.

Masters Agility Champion (MACH)

The most prestigious agility title. The MACH requires 20 qualifying scores of 100 (perfect score) in both excellent B standard and excellent B JWW on the same day (double Q’s) plus 750 championship points earned through times and placements.

Masters Agility (MX)

MX is a very advanced agility title conferred by the AKC. It requires 10 qualifying scores in the Excellent Atility (AX) class.

Master Excellent JWW (MXJ)

MXJ is a very advanced jumpers agility title conferred by the AKC. It requires 10 qualfying scores in the Excellent Jumpers (AXJ) class.

NA

Notive Agility is a title conferred by AKC upon dogs who qualify 3 times under 2 different judges in a novice agility course. The course consists of several obstacles including the dog walk, tire, see-saw, weave poles, a-frame, and various types jumps. The dog must not only negotiate the obstacles but do so in a timely manner.

NAJ

Novice Agility Jumpers is a title conferred by AKC upon dogs who qualify 3 times under 2 different judges in a jumpers course. The course consists of several jumps and weave poles which the dog must negotiate. The dog must not only negotiate the jumps and weave poles but do so in a timely manner.

OA

Open Agility is a title conferred by AKC upon dogs who qualify 3 times under 2 different judges in a open agility course. Thje open course is more complex and difficult than the novice course but less difficult than the excellent course. As in novice, the course consists of several obstacles including the dog walk, tire, see-saw, weave poles, a-frame, and various types jumps. Other jumps are set up as trips to temp the dog to go off course. The dog must not only negotiate the obstacles but do so in a timely manner. The time requirements become increasingly tighter as the dog progresses from novice to open and finally to the excellent class.

OAJ

Open Agility Jumpers is a titled conferred by AKC upon dogs who qualify 3 times under 2 different judes in a jumpers course consisting of several jumps and weave poles. The open course is more complicated than the novice course requiring greater skill from the handler and the dog. The dog must not only negotiate the jumps and weave poles but do so in a timely manner. The time requirements become increasingly tighter as the dog progresses from novice to open and finally to the excellent class.

OFA

The Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) was established in 1966 as a not-for-profit organization originally created to assist breeders in addressing hip dysplasia. Presently OFA has added several other registries to assist breeders including ones on canine elbow and thyroid disorders. When a dog reaches two years of age, the owner can submit a hip radiograph to OFA for a reading. OFA rates the hips as either excellent, good, fair or dysplastic. There are also several levels of hip dysplasia from mild to severe. Only dogs that have received at least an OFA fair rating should be used for breeding. OFA will also give a reading on a dog less than two years of age, but the dog is not eligible for OFA certification until it reaches at least two years of age.

OTCH

An AKC title which means Obedience Trial Champion. It is a very elite title that requires placing first or second in the highest obedience levels competing with dogs of all breeds. For each first or second placement in very competitive advanced obedience classes, the dogs receives a specific number of points which is dependent on the total number of dogs shown in the class. The OTCH title is earned when the dog has accumulated 100 points including wins in different classes.

Schutzhund

A German word that literally translated means "protection dog." Schutzhund is a demanding sport testing a dog's temperament and willingness to perform tracking, obedience and protection. 

This is the first place or VA-1 male in the working class at the national German Conformation Show. The Sieger title can also be awarded at large SV-style national shows in other countries including the United States.

Siegerin

This is the first place or VA-1 female in the working class at the national German Conformation Show. The Siegerin title can also be awarded at large SV-style national shows in other countries including the United States.

SG (sehr gut)

Literally means "very good" in German. When SG proceeds a dog's name, it means it has received a very good rating in a German style conformation show. This is the highest rating that can be earned by a non-titled dog. The V rating in conformation can only be awarded when a dog has a Schutzhund title.

SG is also used to refer to very good scores in Schutzhund, but in this case, it is not part of the dog's name. If the total points earned by the dog in achieving a Schutzhund title are between 270 and 285 (out of 300), the dog will receive an overall rating of SG.

UD

Utility Dog is the most advanced AKC obedience title and involves hand signals, directed jumping, and scent discrimination work. There is also a directed retrieve and an exercise that requires the dog to more away on command from the handler to the opposite side of the ring. The dog must perform all exercises correctly at three different obedience trials under three different judges in order to earn the Utility Dog title.

UKC (United Kennel Club)

Established in 1898, the United Kennel Club is the largest all-breed performance-dog registry in the world, registering dogs from all 50 states and 25 foreign countries. More than 60 percent of its 13,000 annually licensed events are tests of hunting ability, training and instinct. UKC prides itself on its family-oriented, friendly, educational events. The UKC has supported the "Total Dog" philosophy through its events and programs for over a century. As a departure from registries that place emphasis on a dog’s looks, UKC events are designed for dogs that look and perform equally well.

V (Vorzuglich)

Is the German word for excellent. The V designation when proceeding a dog's name indicates that it has been evaluated as excellent in a German style conformation show. In order to earn the V the dog must be entered in the working classes meaning it must have a Schutzhund title. The V is reserved for dogs with excellent conformation and movement. It is the highest conformation rating that can be awarded in a local or regional show.

The "V" is also used to refer to very high scores in Schutzhund, but in this case, it is not part of the dog's name. The maximum points awarded for each of the three phases is 100. If the dog earns 96 or above in any of the three phases of tracking, obedience or protection, the dog will receive a "V" rating. If the total points earned in all three phases is 286 or above, the dog will receive an overall "V" rating. The same concept applies to the FH and IPO titles.

VA (Vorzuglich-Auslese)

Means excellent-select. The VA proceeds a dog's name and means that it has earned the highest possible conformation title possible, and it has demonstrated pronounced hardness, courage and fighting instincts in the protection test. The dog must be virtually flawless in structure and meet the German breed standard in every respect. The VA title is only awarded at the German Sieger Show and at large national shows in other countries including the United States.

Vize-Sieger

This is the second place male in the working class at the national German Sieger Show. The Vize-Sieger title can also be awarded at large SV-style national shows in other countries including the United States.

VP

Stands for Very Promising which is the highest rating a puppy can receive until one year of age and older.

VPG

VPG (Vielseitigkeitspruefung für Gebrauchshund) are the initials for the sport that replaced Schutzhund in early 2004. Roughly translated from the German, VPG means Versatility Test for dogs. Schutzhund titles are no longer awarded. While, VPG is similiar to Schutzhund, there are some significant changes in the tracking, obedience and protection phase. Overall the protection phase removes some of the difficulties that were in Schutzhund such as the "call-out of the blind" and the "attack out of the blind."