Whether you’re a seasoned dog owner or new to the canine world, you’ve likely come across a fair share of acronyms, from dog food labels to veterinary visits. This comprehensive list will help you understand what these terms mean, making it easier to navigate conversations about dogs, whether at the vet, a dog show, or in training.
Organization Abbreviations
Dog organizations set standards for breeds, oversee competitions, and maintain health records. Knowing these can be useful for dog owners involved in breeding or dog sports.
- AAC – Agility Association of Canada
- AKC – American Kennel Club
- CKC – Canadian Kennel Club
- NADAC – North American Dog Agility Council
- UKC – United Kennel Club
- USDAA – United States Dog Agility Association
For more on kennel clubs, see the AKC’s Guide to Purebred Dogs.
Flyball Titles
Flyball is a popular team relay sport where dogs race over hurdles to retrieve a ball. Titles in this sport reflect a dog’s speed, skill, and participation level.
- FD – Flyball Dog
- FDX – Flyball Dog Excellent
- FDCh – Flyball Dog Champion
- FM – Flyball Master
- FMX – Flyball Master Excellent
- FMCh – Flyball Master Champion
- ONYX – Special points award
- FGDCh – Flyball Grand Champion
Agility Titles
Agility competitions test a dog’s speed and accuracy on an obstacle course. Different organizations have their own titles that dogs can earn.
AKC Titles:
- AX – Agility Excellent
- MX – Master Agility Excellent
- NA – Novice Agility
- OA – Open Agility
- NAJ – Novice Jumper With Weaves
UKC Titles:
- U-AGI – Agility I
- U-AGII – Agility II
- U-ACH – Agility Champion
For more on agility competitions, visit AKC Agility Information.
Obedience Titles
Obedience titles are awarded to dogs that demonstrate precision and responsiveness to commands during trials.
- CD – Companion Dog
- CDX – Companion Dog Excellent
- UD – Utility Dog
- OTCh – Obedience Trial Champion
Schutzhund (Protection) Titles
Originally developed in Germany, Schutzhund tests a dog’s tracking, obedience, and protection skills. It’s a popular trial for German Shepherds.
- AD – Endurance test (12 ½ mile run)
- SchH I, II, III – Schutzhund levels I, II, and III, involving tracking, obedience, and protection
- FH – Advanced tracking title
- KKL – Koer’d for breeding suitability
Herding Titles
Herding titles recognize a dog’s natural herding instincts and ability to work with livestock, primarily awarded by the AKC and herding clubs.
AKC Herding Titles:
- HS – Herding Started
- HI – Herding Intermediate
- HX – Herding Excellent
AHBA Titles:
- HCT – Herding Capability Tested
- HTD1, HTD2, HTD3 – Herding Trial Dog levels
For an in-depth look at herding trials, explore the American Herding Breed Association’s website.
Field Trial Titles
Field trials test a dog’s hunting instincts and abilities. These titles are often pursued by retrievers, pointers, and setters.
- AFC – Amateur Field Champion
- FC – Field Champion
- FD – Field Dog (pointing)
- NFC – National Field Champion
Earthdog Titles
These titles are specific to terrier breeds and other small dogs with a natural instinct to hunt underground.
- JE – Junior Earthdog
- SE – Senior Earthdog
- ME – Master Earthdog
For more on Earthdog trials, check out AKC Earthdog Information.
Coursing Titles
Coursing events test a dog’s agility and focus while chasing a mechanical lure, which you can learn more about in Lure Coursing.
ASFA Titles:
- F.Ch. – Field Champion
- LCM – Lure Courser of Merit
AKC Coursing Titles:
- JC – Junior Courser
- SC – Senior Courser
Hunting Titles
Hunting titles showcase a dog’s ability to retrieve game, often pursued by hunting breeds like retrievers and spaniels.
- JH – Junior Hunter
- SH – Senior Hunter
- MH – Master Hunter
- UH – Upland Hunter (UKC/HRC)
Working Certificates
Working certificates acknowledge a dog’s skills in roles such as search-and-rescue, lifeguarding, and draft work.
- WAC – Working Aptitude Certificate (Doberman Pinscher Club of America)
- WC – Working Certificate
- WCX – Working Certificate Excellent
- VN – Versatile Newfoundland
Water Titles for Water Dogs
The American Water Spaniel Club awards titles to spaniels trained in water retrieval and rescue.
- SD – Started Dog
- WD – Working Dog
- JWD – Junior Working Dog
- MWD – Master Working Dog
German Titles and Ratings
German breed titles often indicate a dog’s suitability for breeding or a specific skill, particularly for working breeds like the German Shepherd.
- IPO I, II, III – International working tests for tracking, obedience, and protection
- A – Hip certification
- KKL – Koerklasse I or II (recommended for breeding)
Miscellaneous Titles
Other titles include certifications for temperament, therapy, and game coursing.
- CGC – Canine Good Citizen Certificate
- TT – Temperament Tested
- TD – Therapy Dog
- CH – Champion (prefix)
Learn more about Therapy Dog Breeds.
Breed-Specific Acronyms
These simple abbreviations refer to specific dog breeds, which you may commonly encounter:
- BC – Border Collie
- GSD – German Shepherd Dog
- LR – Labrador Retriever
- GR – Golden Retriever
- PWC – Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Veterinary and Health Acronyms
Health and veterinary acronyms are especially important when discussing your dog’s medical needs or health certifications.
- OFA – Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
- CERF – Canine Eye Registry Foundation
- HD – Hip Dysplasia
Conversational Acronyms
If you’re talking to fellow dog lovers, you may hear these common conversational acronyms:
- IMHO – In My Honest Opinion
- BTW – By The Way
- FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
- LOL – Laughing Out Loud
Why Knowing Dog Acronyms Is Important
Whether you’re training a dog, entering them in shows, or even just reading product labels, these acronyms can clarify essential details about a dog’s abilities, health, or background. Understanding them equips you to make better decisions for your dog’s wellbeing and success.
Found an acronym you didn’t recognize? Leave a comment to let us know if there’s one to add to the list!