The ABCs of Activities
What do all those letters in front of and behind the dogs' names mean, anyway? Here are the definitions for those abbreviations...
Conformation titles - These are awarded by national clubs to dogs that are judged to be good representatives of the club's breed standard (like a beauty contest title). Although White German Shepherds are not eligible to compete in CKC or AKC conformation shows any more (since 1998 and 1968 respectively), the following clubs host shows for White Shepherds:
 | WSCC Ch = White Shepherd Club of Canada Champion |
| AWSA Ch = American White Shepherd Association Champion |
| UKC Ch = United Kennel Club Champion |
| WGSDCI Ch = White German Shepherd Dog Club International Champion |
Performance titles - the following are awarded by the CKC (Canadian Kennel Club), AKC (American Kennel Club), UKC (United Kennel Club):
| CD = Companion Dog (obedience - no prerequisite) |
| CDX = Companion Dog Excellent (obedience - prerequisite: CD) |
| UD = Utility Dog (obedience - prerequisite: CDX) |
| OTCh = Obedience Trial Champion (obedience - prerequisite: UD) |
| TD = Tracking Dog (no prerequisite) |
| TDX = Tracking Dog Excellent (prerequisite: TD) |
| UTD = Urban Tracking Dog (prerequisite: TD) |
| UTDX = Urban Tracking Dog Excellent (prerequisite: TD) |
| VST = Variable Surface Tracking (prerequisite: TD) |
| CT = Champion Tracker (awarded by AKC only upon completion of all 3 TD, TDX and VST titles) |
| TCh = Tracking Champion (awarded by CKC only upon completion of all 4 TD, TDX, UTD and UTDX titles) |
The following are "unofficial" titles, that is, they are often awarded by a tester; not a licensed CKC/AKC/UKC judge:
| HC = Herding Certificate (usually ducks or sheep) |
| TT = Temperament Tested |
| CGC = Canine Good Citizen |
Flyball titles awarded by NAFA (North American Flyball Association):
| FD = Flyball Dog (20 points) |
| FDX = Flyball Dog Excellent (100 points) |
| FDCh = Flyball Dog Champion (500 points) |
| FM = Flyball Master (5,000 points) |
| FMX = Flyball Master Excellent (10,000 points) |
| FMCh = Flyball Master Champion (15,000 points) |
| Onyx (20,000 points) |
| FGDCh = Flyball Grand Champion (30,000 points) |
Health clearances. One of the major health problems affecting the German Shepherd Dog today is Hip Dysplasia. Breeding animals can be screened for this progressive degenerative joint disease by a simple x-ray procedure. If the x-rays are sent to a specialist, and are found to be free of dysplasia, the owner will be issued a certificate to this effect. Elbows are not as big a problem in the breed, but many breeders now will have the elbows checked at the same time as the hips. Certifications can be issued by:
| OFA = Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Inc. (USA) Passing hips will be graded as Fair, Good or Excellent. |
| OVC = Ontario Veterinary College (Canada) Hips will be graded as Pass or Fail. |
| PennHIP = developed at University of Pennsylvania (USA) The procedure
measures hip joint laxity; it does not allude to a passing or failing score.
Loose hips are more prone to developing degenerative joint disease. All photos and text are the property of Heather MacLeod (unless otherwise noted), and may not be copied under any circumstances. If you are aware of a violation of this copyrighted material, please contact me! findme@nbnet.nb.ca
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