Titles

Interpreting the “alphabet soup” that is AKC and other titles around a dog’s registered name takes a bit of practice. It’s relatively easy if you are already familiar with what each titles means, but there are over 200 distinct suffix titles offered by the AKC alone, plus those offered by other organiztions or by parent breed clubs.

What follows is a list of some of the titles. If you’ve run across one and don’t see it here, please feel free to drop us a line and ask us to update our list. These titles are also used in the “title decoder” tool.

(There are even more listed on the AKC’s “Titles and Abbreviations” page.)

As a rule of thumb, each term in the list is composed of some initial letters that indicate the event, and a final letter which indicates the level of achievement. (And like any good rule of thumb, there are, of course, exceptions.) Note that when a more-advanced title is earned in a given event, it typically replaces the previous one in the alphabet soup. For example, when a dog with a “CGC” (Canine Good Citizen) title earns its “CGCA” (Canine Good Citizen Advanced) title, instead of “CGC CGCA”, you’d just see “CGCA”.

Title decoder

Type (or paste) in a bunch of titles, or even an entire registered name, and we’ll try to decode it for you:

Titles by event

Dual-champion
Special indicator when a dog earns both conformation Champion and Field Champion
DCDual-champion (Dog earns both conformation Champion and Field Champion)
Conformation
Conformation championships
CHChampion (15 points with at least 2 majors)
GCHGrand Champion
GCHBGrand Champion Bronze
GCHSGrand Champion Silver
GCHGGrand Champion Gold
GCHPGrand Champion Platinum
Field Champion
Performance championship; sport depends on the breed—for Basenjis, it’s lure coursing
FCField Champion
GFCGrand Field Champion
NFCNational Field Champion
Lure Coursing
JCJunior Courser (Two successful solo lure-coursing scores)
SCSenior Courser (Four successful scores)
MCMaster Courser (25 successful scores after earning SC)
LCXLure Courser Excellent (Earned 45 points after earning FC)
BIFBest In Field (Won final Best In Field run-off against all other breeds at a lure coursing trial)
Coursing Ability
Like lure-coursing, but open to all breeds
CACoursing Ability
CAACoursing Ability Advanced
CAXCoursing Ability Excellent
CAX2Coursing Ability Excellent 2
Fast CAT
Straight-line lure event, open to all breeds
BCATFast CAT—150 points (Earned 150 points at Fast CAT events)
DCATFast CAT—500 points (Earned 500 points at Fast CAT events)
FCATFast CAT—1000 points (Earned 1000 points at Fast CAT events)
Agility
ACT1Agility Course Test 1
ACT2Agility Course Test 2
ACT1JAgility Course Test 1 Jumpers
ACT2JAgility Course Test 2 Jumpers
NANovice Agility
NAPNovice Agility Preferred
OAOpen Agility
OAPOpen Agility Preferred
AXAgility Excellent
AXPAgility Excellent Preferred
MXMaster Agility Excellent
MXPMaster Agility Excellent Preferred
NAJNovice Agility Jumper
NJPNovice Agility Jumper Preferred
OAJOpen Agility Jumper
OJPOpen Agility Jumper Preferred
AXJExcellent Agility Jumper
AJPAgility Excellent Preferred
MXJMaster Excellent Jumper
MJPMaster Excellent Jumper Preferred
MACHMaster Agility Champion
Obedience
BNBeginner Novice
BN-VBeginner Novice Virtual
GNGraduate Novice
GOGraduate Open
CDCompanion Dog
CD-VCompanion Dog Virtual
CDXCompanion Dog Excellent
UDUtility Dog
UDXUtility Dog Excellent
VERVersatility
OMObedience Master
OGMObedience Grand Master
OTCHObedience Trial Champion
NOCNational Obedience Champion
Rally
RNRally Novice
RIRally Intermediate
RARally Advanced
RERally Elite
RMRally Master
RAERally Advanced Excellent
RNCRally National Champion
RACHRally Champion
Canine Good Citizen
CGCCanine Good Citizen
CGCACanine Good Citizen Advanced
CGCUCanine Good Citizen Urban
Scent Work
There are four elements to scentwork events, interior, exterior, containers, and buried. Each element has its own title, and there’s a “roll-up” title once you’ve earned that level across all four elements.
SBNScent Work Buried Novice
SBNEScent Work Buried Novice Elite
SCNScent Work Container Novice
SCNEScent Work Container Novice Elite
SENScent Work Exterior Novice
SENEScent Work Exterior Novice Elite
SINScent Work Interior Novice
SINEScent Work Interior Novice Elite
SWNScent Work Novice (complete all four elements in novice)
SWNEScent Work Novice Elite (complete all four elements in novice elite)
SBAScent Work Buried Advanced
SBAEScent Work Buried Advanced Elite
SCAScent Work Container Advanced
SCAEScent Work Container Advanced Elite
SEAScent Work Exterior Advanced
SEAEScent Work Exterior Advanced Elite
SIAScent Work Interior Advanced
SIAEScent Work Interior Advanced Elite
SWAScent Work Advanced (complete all four elements in advanced)
SWAEScent Work Advanced Elite
SBEScent Work Buried Excellent
SBEEScent Work Buried Excellent Elite
SCEScent Work Container Excellent
SCEEScent Work Container Excellent Elite
SEEScent Work Exterior Excellent
SEEEScent Work Exterior Excellent Elite
SIEScent Work Interior Excellent
SIEEScent Work Interior Excellent Elite
SWEScent Work Elite
SWEEScent Work Excellent Elite
SBMScent Work Buried Master
SBMEScent Work Buried Master Elite
SCMScent Work Container Master
SCMEScent Work Container Master Elite
SEMScent Work Exterior Master
SEMEScent Work Exterior Master Elite
SIMScent Work Interior Master
SIMEScent Work Interior Master Elite
SWMScent Work Master (complete all four elements in master)
SWMEScent Work Master Elite
SHDNScent Work Handler Discrimination Novice
SHDNEScent Work Handler Discrimination Novice Elite
SHDAScent Work Handler Discrimination Advanced
SHDAEScent Work Handler Discrimination Advanced Elite
SHDEScent Work Handler Discrimination Excellent
SHDEEScent Work Handler Discrimination Excellent Elite
SHDMScent Work Handler Discrimination Master
SHDMEScent Work Handler Discrimination Master Elite
SWDScent Work Detective
Therapy Dog
THDTherapy Dog
THDNTherapy Dog Novice
THDATherapy Dog Advanced
THDETherapy Dog Elite
THDDTherapy Dog Distinguished
THDSTherapy Dog Supreme
Trick Dog
TKNTrick Dog Novice
TKITrick Dog Intermediate
TKATrick Dog Advanced
TKPTrick Dog Performer
TKETrick Dog Elite Performer
Miscellaneous (BCOA)
Basenji Club of America
SDHRStud Dog Honor Roll
BBHRBrood Bitch Honor Roll
Miscellaneous
Other recognized-but-not-regulated titles
BISSBest in Specialty Show
MBISSMultiple Best in Specialty Show
MBIFMultiple Best in Field
Flyball Dog (NAFA)
From the North American Flyball Association, not AKC
FDFlyball Dog
FDXFlyball Dog Excellent
FDChFlyball Dog Champion
FDCh-SFlyball Dog Champion Silver
FDCh-GFlyball Dog Champion Gold
FMFlyball Master
Barn Hunt (BHA)
Granted by Barn Hunt Association, not AKC
RATNBarn Hunt Novice
RATOBarn Hunt Open
RATSBarn Hunt Senior
RATMBarn Hunt Master
RATCHBarn Hunt Champion
Scent Work (NACSW)
NACSW—National Association of Canine Scent Work
ORTOdor Recognition Title (Must pass all three odors (birch, anise, clove))
L1CLevel 1 Containers
L1ELevel 1 Exteriors
L1ILevel 1 Interiors
L1VLevel 1 Vehicles
L2CLevel 2 Containers
L2ELevel 2 Exteriors
L2ILevel 2 Interiors
L2VLevel 2 Vehicles
L3CLevel 3 Containers
L3ELevel 3 Exteriors
L3ILevel 3 Interiors
L3VLevel 3 Vehicles
NW1Nose Work 1
NW2Nose Work 2
NW3Nose Work 3
NW3-CNose Work 3 Container
NW3-ENose Work 3 Exterior
NW3-INose Work 3 Interior
NW3-VNose Work 3 Vehicle
NW3-ELITENose Work 3 Elite
ELT1Elite Division Trial 1 (150 points at Elite Division Trials)
ELT2Elite Division Trial 2 (400 points at Elite Division Trials)
ELT3Elite Division Trial 3 (650 points at Elite Division Trials)
ELT-CHElite Division Trial Champion (1000 points at Elite Division Trials)
SMTSummit League Title
NSA1Nose Work Skill Achievment 1
NSA2Nose Work Skill Achievment 2
NSA3Nose Work Skill Achievment 3
NSAMNose Work Skill Achievment Master
Racing (LGRA)
Large Gazehound Racing Association
JSRJunior Straight Racer
SSRSenior Straight Racer
GRCGazehound Racing Championship
SGRCSuperior Gazehound Racing Champion
Racing (NOTRA)
National Oval Track Racing Association
OTROval Track Racer (Earns 25 points)
OTRMOval Track Racer of Merit (Earns 100 points)
OTRM2Oval Track Racer of Merit 2 (Earns 200 points)
OTRM3Oval Track Racer of Merit 3 (Earns 300 points)
JORJunior Oval Racer
SORSenior Oval Racer
ORCOval Racing Championship
SORCSupreme Oval Racing Championship
Tricks (DMWYD)
Do More With Your Dog
NTDNovice Trick Dog
ITDIntermediate Trick Dog
ATDAdvanced Trick Dog
ETDExpert Trick Dog
TDCHTrick Dog Champion
TDGCHTrick Dog Grand Champion
NTD-MNovice Trick Dog Masters
ITD-MIntermediate Trick Dog Masters
ATD-MAdvanced Trick Dog Masters
ETD-MExpert Trick Dog Masters
A+Teacher's Pet
20:120 Dog Tricks: One Prop
BTCBeat the Clock
AtoZAlphabet Challenge
AKAThat's My Name
SSHSummer Scavenger Hunt
TDROMTrick Dog Register of Merit
Animal Actor (DMWYD)
Do More With Your Dog
AA1Level 1: Photoshoot
AA2Level 2: Actor
AA3Level 3: Film
AA4Level 4: Leading Role
AA5Level 5: Professional
Stunts (DMWYD)
Do More With Your Dog
NSDNovice Stunt Dog
OSDOpen Stunt Dog
PSDProven Stunt Dog
SDPROStunt Dog Professional
SDCHStunt Dog Champion
SDGCHStunt Dog Grand Champion
SDGCH2Stunt Dog Grand Champion 2

Titles alphabetically

20:120 Dog Tricks: One PropTricks (DMWYD)
A+Teacher's PetTricks (DMWYD)
AA1Level 1: PhotoshootAnimal Actor (DMWYD)
AA2Level 2: ActorAnimal Actor (DMWYD)
AA3Level 3: FilmAnimal Actor (DMWYD)
AA4Level 4: Leading RoleAnimal Actor (DMWYD)
AA5Level 5: ProfessionalAnimal Actor (DMWYD)
ACT1Agility Course Test 1Agility
ACT1JAgility Course Test 1 JumpersAgility
ACT2Agility Course Test 2Agility
ACT2JAgility Course Test 2 JumpersAgility
AJPAgility Excellent PreferredAgility
AKAThat's My NameTricks (DMWYD)
ATDAdvanced Trick DogTricks (DMWYD)
ATD-MAdvanced Trick Dog MastersTricks (DMWYD)
AtoZAlphabet ChallengeTricks (DMWYD)
AXAgility ExcellentAgility
AXJExcellent Agility JumperAgility
AXPAgility Excellent PreferredAgility
BBHRBrood Bitch Honor RollMiscellaneous (BCOA)
BCATFast CAT—150 points (Earned 150 points at Fast CAT events)Fast CAT
BIFBest In Field (Won final Best In Field run-off against all other breeds at a lure coursing trial)Lure Coursing
BISSBest in Specialty ShowMiscellaneous
BNBeginner NoviceObedience
BN-VBeginner Novice VirtualObedience
BTCBeat the ClockTricks (DMWYD)
CACoursing AbilityCoursing Ability
CAACoursing Ability AdvancedCoursing Ability
CAXCoursing Ability ExcellentCoursing Ability
CAX2Coursing Ability Excellent 2Coursing Ability
CDCompanion DogObedience
CD-VCompanion Dog VirtualObedience
CDXCompanion Dog ExcellentObedience
CGCCanine Good CitizenCanine Good Citizen
CGCACanine Good Citizen AdvancedCanine Good Citizen
CGCUCanine Good Citizen UrbanCanine Good Citizen
CHChampion (15 points with at least 2 majors)Conformation
DCDual-champion (Dog earns both conformation Champion and Field Champion)Dual-champion
DCATFast CAT—500 points (Earned 500 points at Fast CAT events)Fast CAT
ELT-CHElite Division Trial Champion (1000 points at Elite Division Trials)Scent Work (NACSW)
ELT1Elite Division Trial 1 (150 points at Elite Division Trials)Scent Work (NACSW)
ELT2Elite Division Trial 2 (400 points at Elite Division Trials)Scent Work (NACSW)
ELT3Elite Division Trial 3 (650 points at Elite Division Trials)Scent Work (NACSW)
ETDExpert Trick DogTricks (DMWYD)
ETD-MExpert Trick Dog MastersTricks (DMWYD)
FCField ChampionField Champion
FCATFast CAT—1000 points (Earned 1000 points at Fast CAT events)Fast CAT
FDFlyball DogFlyball Dog (NAFA)
FDChFlyball Dog ChampionFlyball Dog (NAFA)
FDCh-GFlyball Dog Champion GoldFlyball Dog (NAFA)
FDCh-SFlyball Dog Champion SilverFlyball Dog (NAFA)
FDXFlyball Dog ExcellentFlyball Dog (NAFA)
FMFlyball MasterFlyball Dog (NAFA)
GCHGrand ChampionConformation
GCHBGrand Champion BronzeConformation
GCHGGrand Champion GoldConformation
GCHPGrand Champion PlatinumConformation
GCHSGrand Champion SilverConformation
GFCGrand Field ChampionField Champion
GNGraduate NoviceObedience
GOGraduate OpenObedience
GRCGazehound Racing ChampionshipRacing (LGRA)
ITDIntermediate Trick DogTricks (DMWYD)
ITD-MIntermediate Trick Dog MastersTricks (DMWYD)
JCJunior Courser (Two successful solo lure-coursing scores)Lure Coursing
JORJunior Oval RacerRacing (NOTRA)
JSRJunior Straight RacerRacing (LGRA)
L1CLevel 1 ContainersScent Work (NACSW)
L1ELevel 1 ExteriorsScent Work (NACSW)
L1ILevel 1 InteriorsScent Work (NACSW)
L1VLevel 1 VehiclesScent Work (NACSW)
L2CLevel 2 ContainersScent Work (NACSW)
L2ELevel 2 ExteriorsScent Work (NACSW)
L2ILevel 2 InteriorsScent Work (NACSW)
L2VLevel 2 VehiclesScent Work (NACSW)
L3CLevel 3 ContainersScent Work (NACSW)
L3ELevel 3 ExteriorsScent Work (NACSW)
L3ILevel 3 InteriorsScent Work (NACSW)
L3VLevel 3 VehiclesScent Work (NACSW)
LCXLure Courser Excellent (Earned 45 points after earning FC)Lure Coursing
MACHMaster Agility ChampionAgility
MBIFMultiple Best in FieldMiscellaneous
MBISSMultiple Best in Specialty ShowMiscellaneous
MCMaster Courser (25 successful scores after earning SC)Lure Coursing
MJPMaster Excellent Jumper PreferredAgility
MXMaster Agility ExcellentAgility
MXJMaster Excellent JumperAgility
MXPMaster Agility Excellent PreferredAgility
NANovice AgilityAgility
NAJNovice Agility JumperAgility
NAPNovice Agility PreferredAgility
NFCNational Field ChampionField Champion
NJPNovice Agility Jumper PreferredAgility
NOCNational Obedience ChampionObedience
NSA1Nose Work Skill Achievment 1Scent Work (NACSW)
NSA2Nose Work Skill Achievment 2Scent Work (NACSW)
NSA3Nose Work Skill Achievment 3Scent Work (NACSW)
NSAMNose Work Skill Achievment MasterScent Work (NACSW)
NSDNovice Stunt DogStunts (DMWYD)
NTDNovice Trick DogTricks (DMWYD)
NTD-MNovice Trick Dog MastersTricks (DMWYD)
NW1Nose Work 1Scent Work (NACSW)
NW2Nose Work 2Scent Work (NACSW)
NW3Nose Work 3Scent Work (NACSW)
NW3-CNose Work 3 ContainerScent Work (NACSW)
NW3-ENose Work 3 ExteriorScent Work (NACSW)
NW3-ELITENose Work 3 EliteScent Work (NACSW)
NW3-INose Work 3 InteriorScent Work (NACSW)
NW3-VNose Work 3 VehicleScent Work (NACSW)
OAOpen AgilityAgility
OAJOpen Agility JumperAgility
OAPOpen Agility PreferredAgility
OGMObedience Grand MasterObedience
OJPOpen Agility Jumper PreferredAgility
OMObedience MasterObedience
ORCOval Racing ChampionshipRacing (NOTRA)
ORTOdor Recognition Title (Must pass all three odors (birch, anise, clove))Scent Work (NACSW)
OSDOpen Stunt DogStunts (DMWYD)
OTCHObedience Trial ChampionObedience
OTROval Track Racer (Earns 25 points)Racing (NOTRA)
OTRMOval Track Racer of Merit (Earns 100 points)Racing (NOTRA)
OTRM2Oval Track Racer of Merit 2 (Earns 200 points)Racing (NOTRA)
OTRM3Oval Track Racer of Merit 3 (Earns 300 points)Racing (NOTRA)
PSDProven Stunt DogStunts (DMWYD)
RARally AdvancedRally
RACHRally ChampionRally
RAERally Advanced ExcellentRally
RATCHBarn Hunt ChampionBarn Hunt (BHA)
RATMBarn Hunt MasterBarn Hunt (BHA)
RATNBarn Hunt NoviceBarn Hunt (BHA)
RATOBarn Hunt OpenBarn Hunt (BHA)
RATSBarn Hunt SeniorBarn Hunt (BHA)
RERally EliteRally
RIRally IntermediateRally
RMRally MasterRally
RNRally NoviceRally
RNCRally National ChampionRally
SBAScent Work Buried AdvancedScent Work
SBAEScent Work Buried Advanced EliteScent Work
SBEScent Work Buried ExcellentScent Work
SBEEScent Work Buried Excellent EliteScent Work
SBMScent Work Buried MasterScent Work
SBMEScent Work Buried Master EliteScent Work
SBNScent Work Buried NoviceScent Work
SBNEScent Work Buried Novice EliteScent Work
SCSenior Courser (Four successful scores)Lure Coursing
SCAScent Work Container AdvancedScent Work
SCAEScent Work Container Advanced EliteScent Work
SCEScent Work Container ExcellentScent Work
SCEEScent Work Container Excellent EliteScent Work
SCMScent Work Container MasterScent Work
SCMEScent Work Container Master EliteScent Work
SCNScent Work Container NoviceScent Work
SCNEScent Work Container Novice EliteScent Work
SDCHStunt Dog ChampionStunts (DMWYD)
SDGCHStunt Dog Grand ChampionStunts (DMWYD)
SDGCH2Stunt Dog Grand Champion 2Stunts (DMWYD)
SDHRStud Dog Honor RollMiscellaneous (BCOA)
SDPROStunt Dog ProfessionalStunts (DMWYD)
SEAScent Work Exterior AdvancedScent Work
SEAEScent Work Exterior Advanced EliteScent Work
SEEScent Work Exterior ExcellentScent Work
SEEEScent Work Exterior Excellent EliteScent Work
SEMScent Work Exterior MasterScent Work
SEMEScent Work Exterior Master EliteScent Work
SENScent Work Exterior NoviceScent Work
SENEScent Work Exterior Novice EliteScent Work
SGRCSuperior Gazehound Racing ChampionRacing (LGRA)
SHDAScent Work Handler Discrimination AdvancedScent Work
SHDAEScent Work Handler Discrimination Advanced EliteScent Work
SHDEScent Work Handler Discrimination ExcellentScent Work
SHDEEScent Work Handler Discrimination Excellent EliteScent Work
SHDMScent Work Handler Discrimination MasterScent Work
SHDMEScent Work Handler Discrimination Master EliteScent Work
SHDNScent Work Handler Discrimination NoviceScent Work
SHDNEScent Work Handler Discrimination Novice EliteScent Work
SIAScent Work Interior AdvancedScent Work
SIAEScent Work Interior Advanced EliteScent Work
SIEScent Work Interior ExcellentScent Work
SIEEScent Work Interior Excellent EliteScent Work
SIMScent Work Interior MasterScent Work
SIMEScent Work Interior Master EliteScent Work
SINScent Work Interior NoviceScent Work
SINEScent Work Interior Novice EliteScent Work
SMTSummit League TitleScent Work (NACSW)
SORSenior Oval RacerRacing (NOTRA)
SORCSupreme Oval Racing ChampionshipRacing (NOTRA)
SSHSummer Scavenger HuntTricks (DMWYD)
SSRSenior Straight RacerRacing (LGRA)
SWAScent Work Advanced (complete all four elements in advanced)Scent Work
SWAEScent Work Advanced EliteScent Work
SWDScent Work DetectiveScent Work
SWEScent Work EliteScent Work
SWEEScent Work Excellent EliteScent Work
SWMScent Work Master (complete all four elements in master)Scent Work
SWMEScent Work Master EliteScent Work
SWNScent Work Novice (complete all four elements in novice)Scent Work
SWNEScent Work Novice Elite (complete all four elements in novice elite)Scent Work
TDCHTrick Dog ChampionTricks (DMWYD)
TDGCHTrick Dog Grand ChampionTricks (DMWYD)
TDROMTrick Dog Register of MeritTricks (DMWYD)
THDTherapy DogTherapy Dog
THDATherapy Dog AdvancedTherapy Dog
THDDTherapy Dog DistinguishedTherapy Dog
THDETherapy Dog EliteTherapy Dog
THDNTherapy Dog NoviceTherapy Dog
THDSTherapy Dog SupremeTherapy Dog
TKATrick Dog AdvancedTrick Dog
TKETrick Dog Elite PerformerTrick Dog
TKITrick Dog IntermediateTrick Dog
TKNTrick Dog NoviceTrick Dog
TKPTrick Dog PerformerTrick Dog
UDUtility DogObedience
UDXUtility Dog ExcellentObedience
VERVersatilityObedience