Titles & Abbr.

This is a list of the most common abbreviations, working and show titles, health clearances, etc.  I will add to it as I think of something that I have not included and please feel free to contact me if there is something I do not have on here that you think would be beneficial.

ORGANIZATIONS

• FCI – Fédération Cynologique Internationale (International Canine Federation). The FCI is the governing body for most of the recognized breeding clubs and is the FCI is the largest canine organization in the world.  Although the FCI typically allows the founding organization of a breed to stipulate the breed rules (i.e. ADRK publicizes the Rottweiler Breed Guidelines), those organizations still fall under the FCI.  The FCI is then able to implement the breed regulations worldwide with all the other Kennel Clubs throughout the world.  Almost every major country in the world is a member of the FCI with the exceptions of the United States and Great Britain.  The FCI is the organization to sanction national championships and international championships. The rules and titles of the FCI are the most widely accepted in the world and most kennels and judges will attempt recognition by the FCI in order to become “official”.  (i.e. an FCI Rottweiler Judge, or a kennel with an FCI number)  

• ADRK – Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler Klub. This is the official governing body for Rottweilers in Germany.  Although most countries will have their own Kennel Clubs, the ADRK is accepted worldwide as the Rottweiler breed parent organization.

• VDH – Verband fur das Deutsche Hundewesen.  This is the official body that governs all dog breeds in Germany.  So although the ADRK is the most recognized for setting breed standards and regulations for the Rottweiler, it is a division of the VDH.  You will often see “VDH Champion” on many German dogs- this means that the dog championed in Germany under the VDH.

• AKC – American Kennel Club.  The American organization responsible for setting dog registrations of every recognized breed.  The AKC will have its own events, titles etc. similar to the VDH (i.e. and “AKC Champion” dog).  The biggest problem I personally have with the AKC vs. ADRK is that the AKC simply posts the regulations and then places responsibility of adhering to breed suitability testing, health clearances relative to each particular breed, correct confirmation, etc. completely on the shoulders of the breeder.  The AKC will register almost anything and the pups produced of dogs that are no where near breed standard and/or compromised in character or health.  This is why most “AKC Registered Pure Bred” dogs do not come close to the breed standard for their breed.  Many other Organizations including ENCI (Italy), ADRK (Germany), etc. REQUIRE all health clearances, breed suitability testing and proof of correct conformation BEFORE permitting breeding or recognizing offspring.  This of course results is much stronger, mentally stable and healthier bloodlines.

• ARC – American Rottweiler Club. The division of the AKC that has special interest in Rottweilers.

• USRC – United States Rottweiler Club. An organization in the USA that attempts to emulate the ADRK and sponsors “German style” events including conformation shows and working trials.

• ARV – American Rottweiler Verein.  Similar to the USRC, they are a USA organization that attempts to emulate the ADRK and sponsors “German style” events including conformation shows and working trials.

 

WORKING TITLES

• BH – Begleithund (traffic dog).  The BH is a mental/socialization test usually done in Europe and a required prerequisite for Schutzhund (working) titles.  The BH includes on and off leash obedience as well as a temperament test.

• B – Equivalent to a BH, but given in the USA.

• CD – Companion Dog.  The CD is an obedience title offered by the AKC.  The dog is required to pass this test three times (called legs) before it can be awarded the title.  This is a primary obedience degree and is earned from the Novice class.

• CDX – Companion Dog Excellent.  Similar to the CD but considered an advanced title.  It is an AKC title and is received by achieving a qualifying score three separate times in the Open class.

• UD – Utility Dog.  This is a title awarded by the AKC after a dog receives three qualifying scores in the Utility class.

• UDX – Utility Dog Excellence.  Again, similar to the UD, but an advanced title offer by the AKC.

• AD – Ausdaur Prufung.  The AD is an endurance test.  In order for a dog to earn this title they must run 20K (about 12.5 miles) in two hours without excessive fatigue.  This title is earned in Germany or in German style shows.

• FH – Fahrtenhund.  The FH is an advanced tracking degree, which includes two levels with increased difficulty (FH and FH II) this is given in Germany or German style shows.

• TD – Tracking Dog. Tracking title offered by the AKC. A test designed to assess a dog’s scenting and tracking ability.

• TDX – Tracking Dog Excellent. An advanced degree of tracking offered by the AKC.

• TT – Temperament Test.  The TT is awarded by ATTS (American Temperament Test Society)

• RTD – Registered Therapy Dog.  Although not required for a dog to become a therapy dog, it is an AKC recognized title.

• CGC – Canine Good Citizen. Although not a working title, it is currently what AKC offers for a temperament test.  It is designed to demonstrate the dog’s ability to behave properly in social situations.  The CGC will test on and of leach obedience, ability of the dog to be nonreactive to crown convergence and ability for the dog to be handled by and left with a stranger.

• OB Ch – Obedience Champion.

• SchH – Schutzhund is a working dog sport comprised of three disciplines: tracking, obedience, and protection. All three sections count equally, and all three must be passed in order to earn the degree. The dog must score a passing mark in each of the three phases and gain a total of at least 220 points out of a possible 300 to earn the title. SchH is tested in three progressively harder levels, earning the degree SchH I, SchH II, SchH III, with level three being the hardest. SchH I is Beginning Schutzhund (minimum age 14 months), SchH II is Intermediate Schutzhund (minimum age 16 months), SchH III is Advanced Schutzhund (minimum age is 18 months). After attaining the degree at any level the dog must then wait six months before being eligible for competition at the next higher level.

• IPO – International Prufungsordung.  The IPO is an International working test similar to Schutzhund and also has 3 levels: IPO I is Beginning, IPO II is intermediate, IPO III is advanced.

• VPG – The VPG is equivalent to the SchH and IPO and also has three levels of working degrees.

• DM – Deutsche Meisterschaft.  The DM is a working dog championship held annually by the ADRK.

• LS – Leistungssieger.  The LS is the title awarded to the winner of the Deutsche Meisterschaft.

• SH – Such Hund.  Translates to tracking dog.

• PH – Polizei Hund.  Translates to police dog.

• DH – Dienst Hund.  Service dog.

• RH – Rettungshund.  Rescue dog.

• HGH – Herdengebaruchshund.  Herding dog.

• BIH – Blinden Hund.  Blind guide dog.

• KrH – Krwigshund.  War dog.

• LawH – Lawinen Hund.  Avalanche dog.

• MH – Meldehund.  Military dog.

• WH – Wach Hund.  Watch dog.

• HIT – Herding Instinct Tested.  This is an AKC title for herding.

• HIC – Herding Instinct Certified.  This is an AKC title for herding.

• OTCH – Obedience Trial Champion.  AKC obedience title.

 

Breed Suitability Testing.
Breed Suitability Test are designed to showcase the best of the best and designed to select the Rottweiler that are worthy of being bred.  For most Breed Suitability Tests, the dog’s conformation (physical beauty and structure) character and health are all taken into consideration.

• ZtP – Zuchttauglichkeitsprufung.  The ZtP is an evaluation of a dogs temperament/character, conformation and working ability.  The dog’s conformation (physical beauty and structure) must be judged of breeding quality and free of disqualifying faults.  The dog must have a valid hip certification number and must have a tattoo for identification (this ensures that the dog evaluated is indeed the dog that will be give credit for passing).  Once the conformation and soundness qualifications have been met, the dog’s temperament is tested.  This test includes a gun sureness test, a protection test, and a test to ensure that the dog is stable around the public. The results of this test are published in the “Kor” book and become a permanent record.  The report will also be printed on the pedigree of the dog’s offspring. Awarded in Germany and by the ARV.

• BST – Breed Suitability Test. Offered by the USRC and designed to emulate the ZtP.

• Gekort – An advanced breed test also known as Korung given in Germany and by the ARV. In addition to the requirements of the ZtP, they require a SchH III, IPO III, or VPG III for a male and a SchH I, IPO I, or VPG I for a female.  The minimum age for males is 36 months and for females it is 30 months.  In addition, they require three show critiques with a SG rating or better, HD/ED certificates and AD title. After this title is achieved, the dog must wait two years before it can attempt a lifetime breeding test. This title deems a dog suitable for breeding by the ADRK for a period of two years at which time they are subject to re-evaluation.

• ABST – Advanced Breed Suitability Test. Offered by the USRC and designed to emulate the Gekort.

• Gekort bis EzA – Lifetime breed suitability test. A dog with this title is rated by the ADRK as suitable for breeding for the duration of Breeding Utilization Age (nine years in males and eight years in females).

• LBST – Lifetime breed suitability test. Offered by the USRC designed to emulate the Gekort bis EzA.

 

CONFORMATION RATINGS
Some people mistaking believe that conformation is about beauty only.  Yes, when a Rottweiler is conformationally correct, he is indeed a sight to behold, but function follows form.  Without the correct structure, the Rottweiler is unable to do the tasks asked of him.  If movement is not correct, it is often an indicator that there is something structurally incorrect.  Then the dog is unable to herd, run, track, rescue, etc. as efficiently.  If the head piece is not correct, the Rottweiler unable to maintain one of the strongest bite force of any domesticated breed of dog.  If the bone is not heavy or the dog of correct substance, then he loses his powerful frame vital to most of the jobs assigned.  Although conformation is often called the beauty portion of a dog, it is just as essential as correct character and often effects the health of the dog.

• VA rating – Excellent Select Title, that is only awarded at the Annual Sieger Show. (Auslese Klasse) select class.

• V rating – (Vorzuglich) This rating is given in German style shows and is the highest rating available for adults.  The judge will give a detailed report of the dog’s conformation and rate the dog as to how closely it matches the breed standard. The V rating stands for “excellent” representative of the standard.  Often you may see numbers following a V or SG rating (i.e. V1, SG3, etc.)  These numbers indicate what PLACE the dog came in at a particular dog show and is INDEPENDENT of the rating.  I.e. there may be MANY dogs who are worthy of a V rating at a show, but only the first 4 will place.  So a dog that receives a V2 was rated excellent by the judge and came in second place at that show.

• SG rating – (Sehr Gut) This rating stands for “very good”  and means the dog is a very good representative of the standard.  This is the highest rating generally offered to youth dogs under the age of two.

• G rating – (Gut) This rating stands for “good” and indicates that the dog is a good representative of the standard.

• VN – (Versprechend) This rating stands for “promising” and is the second highest rating in puppy class.

• P- Also means “promising” and is the equivalent of VN.

• A rating – (Ausreichend) means sufficient.

• M rating – (Mangelhaf) means faulty.

• O rating – (zero) failed

• U rating – unsatisfactory

• GN rating – (Genugend) satisfactory rating

 

CONFORMATION TITLES

• Sieger – This title is given in the German style shows and is equivalent to the male “best in show” title in the AKC.  In order to be awarded this title the dog is required to have a SchH or IPO title and a ZtP, BST or Gekort.

• Siegerin – This is the female “best in show” for the German style show and carries the same requirements as the Sieger.

• Jugend Sieger – This is the youth male “best in show” for dogs under the age of two. There are no working title requirements.

• Jugend Siegerin – This is the youth female “best in show” for dogs under the age of two. There are no working title requirements.

• KS and KSg – KLUBSIEGER is a title given to the best male at a country’s Annual Sieger show (FCI Country), and KLUBSIEGERIN to the best female at that KS.  The most well known Klubsieger is the ADRK German Klubsieger held annually in Germany.  ONLY A DOG BRED AND BORN in that country’s KS can earn this title.  This title will have a number after it to indicate the year the title was given.

• KJS and KJSg – Klub Youth Sieger/Siegerin (Jugend Sieger or Jugend Siegerin).  This is the title given to the best male and female YOUTH at the annual KS held annually in FCI Countries.  Again, there will be a number after the title to indicate the year the title was given.

• AUSLANDSIEGER/AUSLANDSIEGERIN- Ausland is German for “Foreign Countries.”  This is the title given the best male and best female at a KS (KLUBSIEGER) show that is NOT from the country that KS is currently being held in.  For instance, if it is the ADRK KS, then a GERMAN BORN male and a GERMAN BORN female will win Klubsieger/Klubsiegerin, however, there will also be best male and best female from a country other than Germany.  The ADRK KS draws hundreds of some of the best dogs on the planet from all over the world and the best male and female from any country other than Germany will be awarded Auslandsieger/Auslandsiegerin

• NS and NSg – National Club Sieger/Siegerin

• WS and WSg – World Sieger/Siegerin.  This title will also have a number after it to indicate the year the title was achieved.