Categories
Dog Sports and Titles
Ever thought about higher education…..
for your dog?
Ever seen a dog with all kinds of letters before and/or after his name?
Wonder what they mean?
There are many activities that can gain your dog awards and recognition in the form of titles. They can be a lot of fun for both dog and owner.
Looking for one of these events in your area? Click HERE for DogShow.ca.
Check out the CKC’s Top Dogs in a variety of sports HERE.
Associations
Agility Association of Canada
Canadian Kennel Club
North American Dog Agility Council
All breeds welcome
Dogwood Pacesetters Canine Sports Club
K9 Cliffhangers Dog Agility Club
Calgary Agility Association
Calgary Longshots
The Hot Diggity Dogs Agility Club
KAOS Dog Sports Inc.
Saskatchewan Agility Association
Dog Agility Ontario
Hilltop K 9 Agility
Over the Edge Agility
West Carleton Dog Agility Group (WAG)
Hamilton Dog Obedience Club
Club d’Agilité de la Montérégie
Flyball Agility Maritime Express (F.A.M.E)
Canine Agility Assocation of Nova Scotia
Agility
Agility: Dog and master work together to run through an obstacle course in the fastest possible time. Check HERE for a more in depth explanation of the sport.
Gamblers: Dog and master work together to run through an obstacle course within a set time in an opening sequence. The obstacles such as jumps, tire, tunnels, contact, and weave each receive a different point value. The opening sequence expires with blow of a whistle, at which point the handler has a shorter set time to complete a closing sequence. This final sequence or “gamble” must be done with the handler remaining outside a prescribed area usually outlined with rope or tape and within the time allowed.
Jumpers: This course is composed of jumps, tires, tunnels, and chutes. It involves excellent handling skills and real team-work. The pace is fast and furious with twisted flows and potential chances for off course penalties at every turn.
Snooker: There are two separate sequences. The opening sequence requires the handler to perform one of 3 or 4 designated (red) jumps followed by an obstacle of choice, and repeat this pattern at least twice more, a third time is an option left to the judges discretion and outlined in the briefing. The closing sequence requires the dog to follow the obstacles numbered 2 to 7. The game is based on points accumulated.
Team Relay(2 dogs): The course layout is similar to standard agility. It is divided in sections and each dog on the team is selected by the team members to run a specified section. All team members must run clean and under the time allowed. Upon completing their respective section, the handler passes a baton in a specified area to allow the next handler to continue on the next section.
Abbreviation | Title | Description |
AAC Titles | ||
Agility Dog of Canada | ||
Starter Games Dog of Canada | ||
Advanced Agility Dog of Canada | ||
Advanced Games Dog of Canada | ||
Master Agility Dog of Canada | ||
Masters Gamblers Dog of Canada | ||
Masters Jumpers Dog of Canada | ||
Master Snooker Dog of Canada | ||
Masters Team Relay Dog of Canada | ||
Masters Steeplechase Dog of Canada | ||
Agility Trial Champion of Canada | ||
Special Prefix | Attached to any of the above titles | |
Veterans Prefix | Attached to any of the above titles | |
Bronze Award of Merit | ||
Silver Award of Merit | ||
Gold Award of Merit | ||
Lifetime Achievement Award of Excellence | ||
CKC Titles | ||
Agility Novice | Beginners Agility | |
Agility Intermediate | Intermediate Agility - more obstacles, less time to complete the course | |
Agility Excellent | Advanced Agility | |
Agility Master | Highest level of Agility | |
NADAC Titles | ||
Novice Agility Certificate | ||
Open Agility Certificate | ||
Elite Agility Certificate | ||
Novice Gamblers Certificate | ||
Open Gamblers Certificate | ||
Elite Gamblers Certificate | ||
Novice Jumpers Certificate | ||
Open Jumpers Certificate | ||
Elite Jumpers Certificate | ||
Veterans suffix | Attached to any of the above titles | |
Junior Handler suffix | Attached to any of the above titles | |
Outstanding Performance | Prefix to any of the above titles | |
Superior Performance | Prefix to any of the above titles | |
NADAC Agility Trial Champion | ||
Veterans | Prefix to NATCH | |
Junior Handler | Prefix to NATCH | |
Novice Tunnelers Certificate | ||
Open Tunnelers Certificate | ||
Elite Tunnelers Certificate | ||
Novice Weavers Certificate | ||
Open Weavers Certificate | ||
Elite Weavers Certificate | ||
Novice Touch N Go Certificate | ||
Open Touch N Go Certificate | ||
Elite Touch N Go Certificate |
Associations
All breeds welcome
Conformation Shows: All breeds recognized by the CKC are eligible to compete. Each dog is judged against a “Breed Standard” that outlines the appearance and temperament of the ideal specimen of each breed.
Abbreviation | Title | Description |
Conformation Champion | Granted after earning a specific number of points | |
Conformation Chamption | For spayed/neutered dogs - Granted after earning a specific number of points | |
Best in Show | Best overall dog in the dog show | |
Best in Specialty Show | Best overall dog competing against other Champions | |
Best Puppy in Show | Best overall puppy in the dog show | |
Grand Champion | Earned after completion of conformation championship 20 points which must include one Best of Breed and a minimum of two wins of at least two points each |
|
Grand Champion Excellent | Earned after completion of conformation championship 100 points which must include one Best in Show or a Best of Breed at a Breed National Specialty (where a minimum of ten dogs have competed) or a Best in Multiple Breed Specialty with at least five breeds represented; plus three group firsts or three Breed Specialty wins must be earned at Conformation shows |
Associations
American Working Terrier Association
Terriers and Dachshunds
Den Trials: The dog tracks the game by scent to a constructed den (lair, burrow, tunnel), enters the animal’s tunnel and then works (barking, engaging etc) the animal until the vermin either bolts (flees) from the earth or until the owner digs down to the den in a real hunting situation. The trench or path is scented with i.e. rat scent. A caged rat serves as the simulated quarry at the end of the trench where the dog can see and smell but not physically touch or harm the rat.
Abbreviation | Title | Description |
Certificate of Gameness | Dog travels a 30' trench to quarry within 30 seconds, works quarry for 60 seconds | |
Earth Working Certificate | Dog works in a natural earth (not in a drain or other man-made earth) to woodchuck, fox, raccoon, or badger | |
Junior Earthdog | ||
Master Earthdog | ||
Senior Earthdog |
Associations
Sledding: Sled dog sports, often referred to as “mushing,” have great versatility in the number and range of events. The particular formats practiced in a given area are largely dependent upon tradition and climate. The Nome style of the sport is performed with a dog sled, in which the driver (known as the musher) pushes the sled, runs along side of the sled, or rides on the sled’s runners. Nome style is the most traditional form of dog powered sports, especially in North America, where it takes its name from the city in the state of Alaska by the same name.
Abbreviation | Title | Description |
Draft Dog | Cart work by a single dog - obedience, maneuvering, freight hauling | |
Draft Dog Excellent | Advanced Cart work - carting by voice control only, freight hauling, backpacking | |
Sled Dog | Sledding at least 50 miles in three successful races | |
Sled Dog Excellent | Sledding an additional 100 miles in three successful races | |
Sled Dog Unlimited | Sledding an additional 300 miles in three successful races |
Associations
Field/Hunting Tests: Pointing, retrieving, and flushing tests are all part of the hunting and field tests available to a number of dog breeds. Lure coursing titles, in which a sighthound is tested on its ability to follow a lure, are also available. The titles in this category are available to members of the Sporting and Hound groups of dogs as noted below.
Abbreviation | Title | Description |
Amateur field Trial Champion prefix | Open to all Sporting dogs (Group 1) - novice handler | |
Canadian Field Champion prefix | ||
Field Champion (lure coursing) | Tests sighthounds' ability and style in following a lure - Open to all sighthounds | |
Field Champion Excellent (lure coursing) | Tests sighthounds' ability and style in following a lure - Open to all sighthounds | |
Field Dog (pointing) | Tests ability and style in finding and retrieving game - Open to all pointing breeds | |
Field Dog Junior (pointing) | Tests ability and style in finding and retrieving game - Open to all pointing breeds | |
Field Dog Excellent (pointing) | Tests ability and style in finding and retrieving game - Open to all pointing breeds | |
Field Trial Champion (retrieving) prefix | Open to all Sporting dogs (Group 1) | |
Field Trial Champion (scenting) prefix | Open to Beagles, Basset Hounds, Petit Bassets Griffon Vendeen | |
National Amateur Field Trial Champion | Open to all retrieving breeds | |
National Field Trial Champeion | Open to all retrieving breeds | |
Junior Hunter (Field Test) | Field test open to all retrieving breeds, Irish Water Spaniels, and Standard Poodles | |
Senior Hunter (Field Test) | Field test open to all retrieving breeds, Irish Water Spaniels, and Standard Poodles | |
Master Hunter (Field Test) | Field test open to all retrieving breeds, Irish Water Spaniels, and Standard Poodles | |
Grand Master Hunter | Field test open to all retrieving breeds, Irish Water Spaniels, and Standard Poodles | |
Working Certificate | Field test open to all retrieving breeds, Irish Water Spaniels, and Standard Poodles | |
Working Certificate Intermediate | Field test open to all retrieving breeds, Irish Water Spaniels, and Standard Poodles | |
Working Certificate Excellent | Field test open to all retrieving breeds, Irish Water Spaniels, and Standard Poodles | |
Working Spaniel | Flushing and Retrieving test open to all sporting spaniels except Brittany and Irish Water Spaniels |
Associations
North American Flyball Association
All breeds welcome
Barn Stormers Flyball Club
Dream Team Flyball Club
Kaotick K9’s
Total Anarchy Flyball
Calgary Longshots
Diamonds in the Ruff
KAOS Dogsports
Extreme Chaos Flyball Team
Hair Trigger Flyball Team
Some Ruff Competition Dogsports
Flyball Agility Maritime Express (F.A.M.E.)
Prepare for Takeoff Flyball Club
Fast’N FURious Flyball
Flyball: A relay race in which two teams of four dogs each race side-by-side over a 51 foot long course. Each dog must run down their lane, clear 4 jumps, trigger the release of a tennis ball by pushing a pedal, retrieve the ball, and run back down the lane. The next dog is released to run the course when the previous dog has crossed the start/finish line. The first team to have all 4 dogs finish the course without error wins the heat. Points are awarded based on the speed of the team.
Abbreviation | Title | Description |
Flyball Dog | 20 points | |
Flyball Dog Excellent | 100 points | |
Flyball Dog Champion | 500 points | |
Flyball Master | 5,000 points | |
Flyball Master Excellent | 10,000 points | |
Flyball Master Champion | 15,000 points | |
ONYX Award | 20,000 points | |
Flyball Grand Champion | 30,000 points | |
HOBBES Award | 100,000 points |
Associations
Herding: Herding titles are given to dogs after they pass various tests of their ability to perform this function. These trials are open to various breeds as noted below.
Abbreviation | Title | Description |
Herding Certificate | Open to all Herding Group breeds and some Working Group breeds | |
Herding Instinct Certificate | Open to all Herding Group breeds and some Working Group breeds | |
Herding Tested | Open to all breeds | |
Herding Started | Open to all breeds | |
Herding Intermediate | Open to all breeds | |
Herding Advanced | Open to all breeds | |
Started Stockdog Certificate, Herding | Open to all Herding Group breeds and some Working Group breeds | |
Open Stockdog Certificate, Herding | Open to all Herding Group breeds and some Working Group breeds |
Associations
All breeds welcome
Capilano Dog Obedience Club
Dumbbell Obedience Club
Greater Victoria Dog Obedience Training Club
NOSA – North Saanich Dog Obedience Training Club
Vancouver Dog Obedience Training Club
Calgary Longshots
KAOS Dog Sports Inc.
Bytown Dog Obedience Club
Hamilton Dog Obedience Club
Some Ruff Competition Dogsports
River Valley Obedience and Field Trial Club
Obedience: All breeds are welcome to earn obedience titles, and in fact all dogs should participate in at least the basics of obedience to learn the standard commands needed for everyday life and polish their manners!
Abbreviation | Title | Description |
Companion Dog | Novice Obedience - basic dog obedience (heel, come, stay commands) | |
Companion Dog Excellent | Intermediate Obedience - jumps, retrieve, (stay when master is out of sight) | |
Utility Dog | Advanced Obedience - scent discrimination, directed jumping, signals | |
Obedience Trial Champion | Requires CD, CDX, and UD | |
Obedience Trial Champion Excellent | ||
Master Obedience Trial Champion | ||
Grand Master Obedience Trial Champion | ||
High in Trial | Awarded to the dog with the highest score in the trial |
Associations
Rally Obedience: Rally Obedience is a fun dog obedience sport, open to ALL dogs, purebred or mixed breed as well as physically challenged dogs and/or handlers.
Rally Obedience goes beyond basic heeling by including over forty obedience movements with the sits, turns and paces of traditional heeling. It also requires a brisk pace, positive attitude and happy demeanor.
Abbreviation | Title | Description |
Rally Novice | ||
Rally Advanced | ||
Rally Excellent | ||
Rally Versatility | ||
Cum Laude | May be added to any of the above titles - dependent on high score | |
Magna Cum Laude | May be added to any of the above titles - dependent on high score |
Associations
Newfoundland Dogs
Rescue: Rescue titles are available to Newfoundland Dogs only and involve tests of the Newf’s breed purpose, water rescue. Rescue titles are available to other breeds through the tracking titles in Obedience.
Abbreviation | Title | Description |
Water Rescue Dog | Basic water rescue work (fetching, towing a boat, delivering a line, swimming) | |
Water Rescue Dog Excellent | Advanced water rescue work (rescue, jumping from boats, directed retrieving) |
Associations
All breeds welcome
Scent Hurdling: Scent Hurdling is a relay race with 4 dogs on a team. The course consists of a starting line, 4 hurdles spaced 10 feet apart and a box. The first hurdle is 4 feet from the start line and the box is 12 feet from the last hurdle. The first team dog jumps the hurdles and attempts to find their own scented dumbell from among the four that have been placed on the box. When the dog finds the right dumbbell he runs back over the 4 hurdles and crosses the finish line so that the next team dog can be released.
Abbreviation | Title | Description |
Scent Hurdle Dog | 50 points | |
Scent Hurdle Dog Excellent | 100 points | |
Scent Hurdle Dog Champion | 250 points |
Associations
Schutzhund: The dogs and handlers work as a team in the three categories of the Schutzhund (protection) program: Tracking, Obedience, and Protection. The exercises consist of the following:
- Tracking: The dog must retrace the path of a person (400-1500+ yards with 2-4 turns) after 20-60 minutes have elapsed and be able to find 2-3 lost articles, regardless of weather conditions.
- Obedience: The dog must follow the handler’s orders to heel, jump, retrieve, retrieve over a 6 foot wall and send away, both on and off the leash. The dog must not be intimidated by any distractions, including the sound of a gun or a group of strangers milling about.
- Protection: The dog must, without handler assistance, respond properly in critical situations, like finding and warning his handler of a hidden person, preventing an assault on his handler, and stopping the villain from escaping. The dog must distinguish between a harmless bystander and a potentially dangerous person. He must display courage but restraint on his own when the agitator gives up.
Abbreviation | Title | Description |
Ausdauerprufung | Endurance Certificate - 12 miles in two hours | |
Begleithunde | Preliminary Temperament test - prerequisite for any Schtzhund titles | |
Breed Suitability Test | ||
Advanced Breed Suitability Test | ||
Fahrtenhund | Basic Tracking degree | |
Fahrtenhund | Advanced Tracking degree | |
International Schutzhund Trial | ||
Schutzhund | Basic degree | |
Schutzhund | Progressively more advanced Tracking, Obedience, Protection degrees | |
Limited Schutzhund | Similar to SchH1 but without the Tracking portion | |
Schutzhund watch dog |
Associations
Tracking: Tracking, as you might expect, involves following the scent trail left by a human being (or other animal) that has passed along a certain route. Following a track is one of the many useful things dogs can do to help humans. Hounds track game, rescue dogs track lost children, police dogs track suspects, well trained pets can find lost items. Many dog owners are involved in tracking with their dogs as a hobby (for fun) or as a sport (to earn titles), or both. All breeds are eligible.
Abbreviation | Title | Description |
Tracking Dog | Sport form of search and rescue: Tracking test - dog follows human scent | |
Tracking Dog Excellent | Advanced sport form of search and rescue: dog follows and aged track over a longer distance | |
Urban Tracking Dog | Tracking in urban areas such as office parks, industrial parks, campuses, schools | |
Urban Tracking Dog Excellent | Advanced urban tracking | |
Tracking Champion | Obtained after completion of all 4 tracking degrees |
Associations
All breeds welcome
Canadian Canine Good Citizen Certification: A certification program that tests and identifies dogs that have the training and demeanor to be reliable family members as well as good-standing community members. The program tests dogs in simulated everyday situations in a relaxed atmosphere and is open to both purebred and mixed-breed dogs.
Therapy Program: The Therapy Dog Program takes a volunteer and their dog into hospitals and other organizations on a weekly basis. Through regular visiting, a bond is created between the client, dog and volunteer. The medical profession has for many years widely acknowledged that petting and stroking pets can have a calming effect, lower blood pressure and relieve tension.
Abbreviation | Title | Description |
Canine Good Citizen | Series of tests determine if a dog is obedient in public and well behaved | |
Canine Good Neighbour | Series of tests determine if a dog is obedient in public and well behaved (CKC program) | |
Temperament Test | Series of tests that indicate a stable temperament | |
Therapy Dog | ||
Therapy Dog International |