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Decoding the Alphabet Soup: Understanding Labrador Titles

Ever look at a Labrador’s pedigree and feel like you’re reading a secret code? All those letters before and after a dog's registered name—like CH, MH, or FC—are official titles earned in conformation shows, field trials, hunt tests, and obedience trials.

 

To help make it a little easier to understand what these achievements mean, we’ve broken down the most common abbreviations used for Labrador Retrievers below.

For a complete, official list, you can also check out The Labrador Retriever Club’s official abbreviations page

How to read them on a pedigree:

  • Prefixes: Titles that appear before the dog's registered name (like CH, FC, AFC, MACH, OTCH) are highly competitive championship titles.

  • Suffixes: Titles that appear after the dog's registered name (like JH, SH, MH, CD, RN) are suffix titles usually earned by meeting a specific performance standard.

Conformation (Show Ring) Titles

  • CH (Champion): Awarded to dogs that have earned a specific number of points in AKC conformation dog shows.

  • GCH (Grand Champion): A title for dogs that have already earned their CH and continue to win at shows.

  • BISS (Best in Specialty Show): A designation indicating the dog won the highest award at a specialty show (a show just for Labradors). 

  • BPISS (Best Puppy in Specialty Show): A designation indicating the puppy won the highest award at a specialty show (a show just for Labradors). 

  • BOB (Best of Breed): Best overall representative of the breed at an event

  • ​BOW (Best of Winners): Chosen between Winners Dog and Winners Bitch 


Companion Titles

  • AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy: (S.T.A.R. = Socialization, Training, Activity, Responsibility) is an incentive program for loving dog owners who have taken the time to take their puppies through a basic training class.

  • CGC (Canine Good Citizen):  The AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Program is designed to recognize dogs who have good manners at home and in the community.

  • CGCA (Advanced Canine Good Citizen): the advanced level of AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program

  • TKN (Novice Trick Dog) - TKI (Intermediate Trick Dog) - TKA (Advanced Trick Dog) - TKP (Trick Dog Performer)

  • ATT (AKC Temperament Test): The ATT tests how a dog reacts to a variety of stimuli. Desirable traits are that the dog will be emotionally stable, inquisitive, cooperative, appropriately social for its breed, biddable and demonstrates the ability to recover from a startling situation in a reasonable amount of time​
     

Hunt Test Titles (Testing against a standard, not each other)

  • JH (Junior Hunter): The introductory hunting title, testing basic retrieving, marking, and water work.

  • SH (Senior Hunter): An intermediate title requiring the dog to handle more complex blind retrieves, double marks, and honor another dog working.

  • MH (Master Hunter): The highest regular AKC hunt test title, demonstrating an elite, highly trained hunting companion capable of complex multiple marks and blind retrieves.

  • MNH (Master National Hunter): Awarded to dogs that successfully pass the rigorous Master National event multiple times.

  • HR / HRCH (Hunting Retriever / Hunting Retriever Champion): Titles awarded by the UKC (United Kennel Club) / HRC (Hunting Retriever Club), which are also very popular for Labradors.
     

Obedience & Rally Titles

  • CD (Companion Dog): Basic obedience title.

  • CDX (Companion Dog Excellent): Intermediate obedience title.

  • UD (Utility Dog) / UDX (Utility Dog Excellent): Advanced obedience titles involving complex scent discrimination and hand signals.

  • OTCH (Obedience Trial Champion): The highest AKC competitive obedience title.

  • RN / RA / RE / RM (Rally Novice / Advanced / Excellent / Master): Titles earned in Rally Obedience, which is a more fast-paced, navigate-by-signs obedience course.
     

Agility Titles

  • NA / OA / AX / MX (Novice, Open, Agility Excellent, Master Agility): Standard agility course titles progressing from beginner to advanced.

  • MACH (Master Agility Champion): One of the highest honors in AKC agility.

Get In Touch

To be considered for any of our litters or trained Labradors, please begin the process by completing our Labrador Application form.

Our puppies are only placed with approved families from our Rockycreek Wishlist. Join early to be considered for upcoming and future litters.

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