Explanation of Titles
- SchH (Schutzhund "Protection Dog") - A German working dog sport and evaluation, originally designed as a breed worthiness test for German Shepherd Dogs. Consists of 3 phases: Tracking, Obedience and Protection.
- BH - (Begleithund "Companion Dog") Temperament and Obedience test required before advancement to schutzhund titles.
- SchH1 - Entry level Tracking, Obedience and Protection title.
- SchH2 - Intermediate level Tracking, Obedience and Protection title.
- SchH3 - Advanced level Tracking, Obedience and Protection title.
- SchHA - Obedience and Protection tests from the SchH1. No tracking.
- VPG (Vielseitigkeitsprüfung für Gebrauchshunde "Versatility Test for Working Dogs") - A recently invented, more PC, name the Germans came up with for SchH. SchH1 = VPG1, etc...
- IPO (International Prüfung "International Test") - Schutzhund under International (FCI) rules. While there are some very minor rule variations, essentially IPO1 = SchH1 = VPG1, and so on.
- TR (Tracking) - Tracking phase only title, without obedience or protection. TR1 is a SchH1 track, TR2 a SchH2 track, TR3 a SchH3 track.
- OB (Obedience) - Obedience phase only title, without tracking or protection. OB1 is a SchH1 obedience routine, OB2 is a SchH2 obedience routine, OB3 is a SchH3 obedience routine.
- PR (Protection) - Protection phase only title, without tracking or obedience. PR1 is a SchH1 protection routine, PR2 is a SchH2 protection routine, PR3 is a SchH3 protection routine. NOTE: A dog can only trial for a PR title if also trialing for a TR or OB title at the same trial.
- WDS (Working Dog Sport) - IPO/VPG titles obtained through the AKC/WDA.
- SVV/ZVV/BHP - Working dog tests in other countries. SVV (Slovakia), ZVV (Czech Republic), BHP (Denmark) are similar and roughly equivalent to the SchH titles of the same level.
- AWD (American Working Dog) - Series of 3 phase titles put forth by the American Working Dog Federation (AWDF) utilizing some of the bygone rules of schutzhund that were eliminated in recent years. Roughly equivalent to SchH titles of the same level.
- AWD1 - Entry level Tracking, Obedience and Protection title.
- AWD2 - Intermediate level Tracking, Obedience and Protection title.
- AWD3 - Advanced level Tracking, Obedience and Protection title.
- FO (Family Obedience) - A basic obedience test similar to the BH. Prerequisite for advancement to protection titles.
- PA (Protection Alert) - A non-biting basic obedience and protection title.
- P (Protection) - Obedience and protection title. Three levels of increasing difficulty (P1, P2, P3).
- PD (Police Dog) - Obedience and protection title designed to test the skills required for police service dogs. Two levels of increasing difficulty (PD1, PD2). PD1 is designed to test a dog's temperament and training for suitability for work as a police service dog. PD2 is utilized by some departments as a certification for police service dogs.
- OB (Obedience) - Obedience phase only title, without protection. OB1 is a P1 obedience routine, OB2 is a P2 obedience routine, OB3 is a P3 obedience routine.
- OBPD (Police Dog Obedience) - Obedience phase only title, without protection. OBPD1 is a PD1 obedience routine, OBPD2 is a PD2 obedience routine.
- T (Tracking) - SDA tracking titles. Three levels of increasing difficulty (T-1, T-2, MT/Master Track).
- RAS (Random Article Search) - SDA random article search test in a prescribed area. Three levels of increasing difficulty (RAS-1, RAS-2, RAS-3).
- SAR (Search and Rescue) - SDA test designed to test the skills needed for Search and Rescue work. Four levels of increasing difficulty (SAR-Instinct, SAR-1, SAR-2, SAR-3).
- AD (Ausdauerprüfung "Endurance Test") - An approximately 12 mile run followed by a short obedience test.
- FH/FH2 (Fahrtenhund "Tracking Dog") - Advanced tracking titles. FH is a longer, older, more difficult track than is required for SchH3. FH2 is longer, older and harder yet.
- HGH (Herdengebrauchshund "Herding Dog") - Extensive sheep herding test.
- WH (Wachhunde "Watchdog") - Basic obedience and guarding/watchfulness test.
- RH (Rettungshundtauglichkeitsprüfung "Rescue Dog Suitability Test") - Tracking, Obedience and Conditioning (endurance) test designed to test the basic skillset needed for Search and Rescue work.
- STP (Stöberprüfung "Random Search Test") - Random article search test in a prescribed area. Three levels of increasing difficulty (STP1, STP2, STP3).
- KKl1/KKl2 (Körklasse) - German Breed Survey examination. KKl1 is recommended for breeding, KKl2 is suitable for breeding.
- CGC (Canine Good Citizen) - American Kennel Club basic obedience and temperament test for companion dogs.
- CD (Companion Dog) - American Kennel Club obedience title.
- UCD (United Companion Dog) - United Kennel Club equivalent of the AKC's CD.
- CDX (Companion Dog Excellent) - American Kennel Club advanced obedience title.
- UCDX (United Companion Dog Excellent) - United Kennel Club equivalent of the AKC's CDX.
- UD (Utility Dog) - American Kennel Club's most advanced obedience title, which also includes some practical exercises such as scent discrimination.
- UUD (United Utility Dog) - United Kennel Club equivalent of the AKC's UD.
- RN (Rally Novice) - American Kennel Club entry level Rally Obedience title.
- RA (Rally Advanced) - American Kennel Club intermediate level Rally Obedience title.
- RE (Rally Excellent) - American Kennel Club advanced level Rally Obedience title.
- URO (United Rally Obedience) - United Kennel Club equivalent of the AKC's Rally Obedience. Three levels of increasing difficulty (URO1, URO2, URO3).
- TD (Tracking Dog) - American Kennel Club tracking title.
- TDX (Tracking Dog Excellent) - American Kennel Club advanced tracking title.
- HIC (Herding Instinct Certificate) - American Kennel Club basic herding instinct test.
- HIT (Herding Instinct Tested) - American Herding Breed Association basic herding instinct test.
- TC (Temperament Certificate) - Basic temperament test offered by some AKC breed clubs.
- TT (Temperament Test) - Temperament test offered by the American Temperament Test Society.
- TDI (Therapy Dog) - Therapy dog certification through Therapy Dogs International, Inc.
Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores, a title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor the dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in record and in memory for as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard.
And though the dog itself doesn't know or care that its achievements have been noted, a title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.
A title says your dog was intelligent and adaptable, and good-natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed.
And a title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with it because it was a good dog, that you believed in it enough to give it yet another chance when it failed, and that, in the end, your faith was justified.
A title proves that your dog inspired you to that special relationship enjoyed by so few; that in a world of disposable creatures, this dog with a title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return.
And when that dear short life is over, the title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of pride in one small set of initials after the name.
A title earned is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, and permanently recorded.
-Sandra Mowery