Some of the Common terms and definitions.
Agility Excellent (AX) A suffix title conferred on dogs for qualifying the requisite number of times in the Agility Excellent class at AKC agility trials.
Agility trials An organized competition at which dogs negotiate a series of obstacles and jumps in three classes of
increasing difficulty. Suffix titles are earned at each level (Novice, Open, and Excellent) by qualifying a predetermined number of times.
American Kennel Club (AKC) An organization, established under the laws of the State of New York, whose goals are to adopt and enforce uniform rules regulating and governing dog shows and field trials; to regulate the conduct of persons interested in exhibiting, running, breeding, registering, purchasing, and selling dogs; to detect, prevent, and punish frauds in
connection therewith; to protect the interest of its members; to maintain and publish an official stud book and an official gazette; and generally to do everything to advance the study, breeding, exhibiting, running, and maintenance of the purity of
purebred dogs.
All-Breed show Conformation show where all breeds are exhibited.
Almond eyes An elongated eye shape, rather than rounded.
Best in Show At an All-Breed show, the only dog left undefeated at the end of all judging on that day.
Best of Breed Dog selected by the judge as the best representative of a particular breed on that day.
Best of Opposite Sex The best dog that is of the opposite sex to the Best of Breed winner.
Best of Variety At an All-Breed show, the award that is given in lieu of Best of Breed for those breeds divided by varieties. At specialty shows, the Best of Variety winners are judged in the Best of Breed competition. There are nine breeds that are divided into varieties: Cockers, Beagles, Collies, Dachshunds, Bull Terriers, Manchester Terriers, Chihuahuas, English Toy Spaniels, and Poodles.
Best of Winners The dog judged as best between the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch.
Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) CERF maintains a registry of genetic eye diseases in dogs by cooperating with canine eye specialists, who certify that dogs are free of specific eye problems for one year from the date of the examination.
Champion (Ch.) A title conferred on a dog by the AKC as a result of defeating a specified number of dogs in specified competition at a series of AKC licensed or member dog shows.
Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Outreach program, put on by a club, which tests a dog's behavior.
Companion Dog (CD) A title conferred on a dog by the AKC as a result of having won certain minimum scores in Novice classes at a specified number of AKC licensed or member obedience trials.
Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) A title conferred on a dog by the AKC as a result of having won certain minimum scores in Open classes at a specified number of AKC licensed or member obedience trials.
Conformation The form and structure, make and shape; arrangement of the parts in conformance with breed standards.
Conformation show Dog show where the dogs are judged on how closely they adhere to the breeds standard. Also known as All-Breed, Group, or Specialty shows.
Groups The breeds as grouped into seven divisions by the AKC to facilitate judging. The seven groups are: sporting, hound, working, toy, terrier, non-sporting, and herding.
Heat Seasonal period of the female. Estrus, in season.
Heel Command to a dog to keep close beside its handler.
Height Vertical measurement from the withers to the ground; usually called shoulder height.
Herding group Group of dogs bred to help shepherds and ranchers herd or work livestock.
Hunting tests Non-competitive field events for flushing breeds, retrieving breeds, and pointing breeds.
Junior Courser (JC) A suffix title conferred on dogs that pass the required number of Junior Courser tests at AKC lure coursing tests.
Junior Hunter (JH) A suffix title conferred on dogs that have qualified the required number of times in Junior tests at hunting tests for spaniels, retrievers, and pointing breeds.
Limited registration Restricted registration of offspring that prohibits both AKC registration of any puppies produced by this dog and participation in conformation events. Limited registration is assigned to a dog by its breeder on its Dog Registration Application. It can be removed only by the breeder.
Litter The puppy or puppies of one whelping.
Lure coursing Organized events for Sighthounds, which chase an artificial lure over a course.
Non-sporting group Group of dogs that may share attributes, but don't fit into the mold of other groups.
Novice Agility (NA) A suffix title conferred on dogs that have qualified the required number of times in the Novice Agility class at AKC agility trials.
Novice class A regular class for dogs six months of age or over that have not, prior to the closing of entries for the show, won three first prizes in the Novice class, a first prize in Bred-by-Exhibitor, American-Bred, or Open classes, nor have one or more points toward their championship.
Obedience trial (licensed) An event held under AKC rules at which a leg toward an obedience degree can be earned.
Obedience Trial Champion (OTCH) A prefix used with the name of a dog that has been recorded an Obedience Trial Champion by the AKC as the result of having won the number of points and First Place wins specified in the current Obedience Regulations.
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) Organization, established in 1966, that developed and maintains a registry of hip dysplasia in dogs. Dogs with OFA numbers are rated and certified free of canine hip dysplasia. This rating applies for the life of the dog.
Parti-color Two or more definite, well-broken colors, one of which must be white. For example, Black Parti-color would be black and white. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the
definitive color description.
PennHIP A method, established in 1993, of evaluating hip dysplasia in dogs by calculating hip laxity; within-breed ratings are provided, permitting breeders to select dogs with the best (smallest laxity) hips for breeding future generations.
Points (1) Color on face, ears, legs, and tail when correlated; usually white, black, or tan. (2) In events, credits toward championship status.
Purebred A dog whose sire and dam belong to the same breed and who are themselves of unmixed descent since recognition of the breed.
Purebred Alternative Listing/Indefinite Listing Privilege (PAL/ILP) A number assigned to a dog by the AKC that allows a dog belonging to one of the AKC-recognized breeds (registerable breed or Miscellaneous breeds), that could not or was not registered (for whatever reason), to participate in some performance events. The dog must be spayed or neutered, and it cannot compete in conformation events.
Qualifying score Obedience: A qualifying score is comprised of scores of more than 50% of the available points in each exercise and a final score of 170 or more points, earned in a single regular class at a licensed or member obedience trial or sanctioned match. Performance: A generic term meaning that a dog has met, at least, the minimum standard
necessary for qualifying in a class or test level at lure coursing, herding, earthdog, or hunting tests.
Rally Obedience Rally is an AKC titling event. The titles offered at each level are Rally Novice (RN), Rally Advanced (RA), and Rally Excellent (RE). Each one is earned by earning three qualifying scores (legs) at three obedience trials. The advanced title Rally Advanced Excellent (RAE) is earned by qualifying ten times in both Advanced B and Excellent B at the same trial, and is numbered to reflect how many times it has been earned (after the 20th leg, title will be RAE2, after the 30th, it will be RAE3, etc.).
The dog and handler team move continuously through a rally course of 10-20 signs with the dog at the handler's left side. At each numbered sign they perform the indicated exercise then move to the next sign. Unlimited communication is encouraged - the handler can talk to the dog and give multiple commands and signals. Scoring is less rigorous than traditional obedience.
Register To record with the AKC a dog's breeding particulars.
Registered name The name, selected by the customer, assigned to a dog at the time the Dog Registration Application is processed.
Registration certificate The document issued by the AKC to the owner of a dog when it is individually registered or transferred to a new owner.
Registration number Unique number assigned to a dog when it is individually registered. Under the current registration system, this number is the litter number plus a slash mark (/) and a two-digit number.
Registries Organizations that keep official records on specific subjects. With respect to dogs, there are registries of purebred dogs for tracking lineage and health registries for rating certain health conditions (e.g., Canine Eye Registry Foundation, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, etc.).
Utility Dog (UD) A title awarded to a dog that has been recorded a Utility Dog by the AKC as a result of having won certain minimum scores in Utility classes at a specified number of AKC licensed or member obedience trials.
Utility Dog Excellent (UDX) A title awarded to a dog that has been recorded a Utility Dog Excellent by the AKC as a result of having won certain minimum scores in Utility B and Open B classes at a specified number of AKC licensed or member club Obedience Trials.
Webbed toes Toes connected by a skin membrane; important for water-retrieving dogs, providing help in swimming.
Winners An award given at dog shows to the best dog (Winners Dog) and best bitch (Winners Bitch) competing in regular classes.
Winners class A regular class divided by sex, with each division open to dogs of the same sex that have won first prizes in either the Puppy, Twelve-to-Eighteen month, Novice, Bred-by-Exhibitor, American-Bred or Open classes.
The United Kennel Club (or UKC) is the second oldest all-breed registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States and the second largest in the world. Bennett conceived and promoted the concept of the "total" dog, that is, a dog that performs as well as it looks; in which intelligence and working ability was as important as conformation to the show bench standard.
Agility trials An organized competition at which dogs negotiate a series of obstacles and jumps in three classes of
increasing difficulty. Suffix titles are earned at each level (Novice, Open, and Excellent) by qualifying a predetermined number of times.
American Kennel Club (AKC) An organization, established under the laws of the State of New York, whose goals are to adopt and enforce uniform rules regulating and governing dog shows and field trials; to regulate the conduct of persons interested in exhibiting, running, breeding, registering, purchasing, and selling dogs; to detect, prevent, and punish frauds in
connection therewith; to protect the interest of its members; to maintain and publish an official stud book and an official gazette; and generally to do everything to advance the study, breeding, exhibiting, running, and maintenance of the purity of
purebred dogs.
All-Breed show Conformation show where all breeds are exhibited.
Almond eyes An elongated eye shape, rather than rounded.
Best in Show At an All-Breed show, the only dog left undefeated at the end of all judging on that day.
Best of Breed Dog selected by the judge as the best representative of a particular breed on that day.
Best of Opposite Sex The best dog that is of the opposite sex to the Best of Breed winner.
Best of Variety At an All-Breed show, the award that is given in lieu of Best of Breed for those breeds divided by varieties. At specialty shows, the Best of Variety winners are judged in the Best of Breed competition. There are nine breeds that are divided into varieties: Cockers, Beagles, Collies, Dachshunds, Bull Terriers, Manchester Terriers, Chihuahuas, English Toy Spaniels, and Poodles.
Best of Winners The dog judged as best between the Winners Dog and Winners Bitch.
Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) CERF maintains a registry of genetic eye diseases in dogs by cooperating with canine eye specialists, who certify that dogs are free of specific eye problems for one year from the date of the examination.
Champion (Ch.) A title conferred on a dog by the AKC as a result of defeating a specified number of dogs in specified competition at a series of AKC licensed or member dog shows.
Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Outreach program, put on by a club, which tests a dog's behavior.
Companion Dog (CD) A title conferred on a dog by the AKC as a result of having won certain minimum scores in Novice classes at a specified number of AKC licensed or member obedience trials.
Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) A title conferred on a dog by the AKC as a result of having won certain minimum scores in Open classes at a specified number of AKC licensed or member obedience trials.
Conformation The form and structure, make and shape; arrangement of the parts in conformance with breed standards.
Conformation show Dog show where the dogs are judged on how closely they adhere to the breeds standard. Also known as All-Breed, Group, or Specialty shows.
Groups The breeds as grouped into seven divisions by the AKC to facilitate judging. The seven groups are: sporting, hound, working, toy, terrier, non-sporting, and herding.
Heat Seasonal period of the female. Estrus, in season.
Heel Command to a dog to keep close beside its handler.
Height Vertical measurement from the withers to the ground; usually called shoulder height.
Herding group Group of dogs bred to help shepherds and ranchers herd or work livestock.
Hunting tests Non-competitive field events for flushing breeds, retrieving breeds, and pointing breeds.
Junior Courser (JC) A suffix title conferred on dogs that pass the required number of Junior Courser tests at AKC lure coursing tests.
Junior Hunter (JH) A suffix title conferred on dogs that have qualified the required number of times in Junior tests at hunting tests for spaniels, retrievers, and pointing breeds.
Limited registration Restricted registration of offspring that prohibits both AKC registration of any puppies produced by this dog and participation in conformation events. Limited registration is assigned to a dog by its breeder on its Dog Registration Application. It can be removed only by the breeder.
Litter The puppy or puppies of one whelping.
Lure coursing Organized events for Sighthounds, which chase an artificial lure over a course.
Non-sporting group Group of dogs that may share attributes, but don't fit into the mold of other groups.
Novice Agility (NA) A suffix title conferred on dogs that have qualified the required number of times in the Novice Agility class at AKC agility trials.
Novice class A regular class for dogs six months of age or over that have not, prior to the closing of entries for the show, won three first prizes in the Novice class, a first prize in Bred-by-Exhibitor, American-Bred, or Open classes, nor have one or more points toward their championship.
Obedience trial (licensed) An event held under AKC rules at which a leg toward an obedience degree can be earned.
Obedience Trial Champion (OTCH) A prefix used with the name of a dog that has been recorded an Obedience Trial Champion by the AKC as the result of having won the number of points and First Place wins specified in the current Obedience Regulations.
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) Organization, established in 1966, that developed and maintains a registry of hip dysplasia in dogs. Dogs with OFA numbers are rated and certified free of canine hip dysplasia. This rating applies for the life of the dog.
Parti-color Two or more definite, well-broken colors, one of which must be white. For example, Black Parti-color would be black and white. Color definitions may vary by breed. Always check the breed standard for the
definitive color description.
PennHIP A method, established in 1993, of evaluating hip dysplasia in dogs by calculating hip laxity; within-breed ratings are provided, permitting breeders to select dogs with the best (smallest laxity) hips for breeding future generations.
Points (1) Color on face, ears, legs, and tail when correlated; usually white, black, or tan. (2) In events, credits toward championship status.
Purebred A dog whose sire and dam belong to the same breed and who are themselves of unmixed descent since recognition of the breed.
Purebred Alternative Listing/Indefinite Listing Privilege (PAL/ILP) A number assigned to a dog by the AKC that allows a dog belonging to one of the AKC-recognized breeds (registerable breed or Miscellaneous breeds), that could not or was not registered (for whatever reason), to participate in some performance events. The dog must be spayed or neutered, and it cannot compete in conformation events.
Qualifying score Obedience: A qualifying score is comprised of scores of more than 50% of the available points in each exercise and a final score of 170 or more points, earned in a single regular class at a licensed or member obedience trial or sanctioned match. Performance: A generic term meaning that a dog has met, at least, the minimum standard
necessary for qualifying in a class or test level at lure coursing, herding, earthdog, or hunting tests.
Rally Obedience Rally is an AKC titling event. The titles offered at each level are Rally Novice (RN), Rally Advanced (RA), and Rally Excellent (RE). Each one is earned by earning three qualifying scores (legs) at three obedience trials. The advanced title Rally Advanced Excellent (RAE) is earned by qualifying ten times in both Advanced B and Excellent B at the same trial, and is numbered to reflect how many times it has been earned (after the 20th leg, title will be RAE2, after the 30th, it will be RAE3, etc.).
The dog and handler team move continuously through a rally course of 10-20 signs with the dog at the handler's left side. At each numbered sign they perform the indicated exercise then move to the next sign. Unlimited communication is encouraged - the handler can talk to the dog and give multiple commands and signals. Scoring is less rigorous than traditional obedience.
Register To record with the AKC a dog's breeding particulars.
Registered name The name, selected by the customer, assigned to a dog at the time the Dog Registration Application is processed.
Registration certificate The document issued by the AKC to the owner of a dog when it is individually registered or transferred to a new owner.
Registration number Unique number assigned to a dog when it is individually registered. Under the current registration system, this number is the litter number plus a slash mark (/) and a two-digit number.
Registries Organizations that keep official records on specific subjects. With respect to dogs, there are registries of purebred dogs for tracking lineage and health registries for rating certain health conditions (e.g., Canine Eye Registry Foundation, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, etc.).
Utility Dog (UD) A title awarded to a dog that has been recorded a Utility Dog by the AKC as a result of having won certain minimum scores in Utility classes at a specified number of AKC licensed or member obedience trials.
Utility Dog Excellent (UDX) A title awarded to a dog that has been recorded a Utility Dog Excellent by the AKC as a result of having won certain minimum scores in Utility B and Open B classes at a specified number of AKC licensed or member club Obedience Trials.
Webbed toes Toes connected by a skin membrane; important for water-retrieving dogs, providing help in swimming.
Winners An award given at dog shows to the best dog (Winners Dog) and best bitch (Winners Bitch) competing in regular classes.
Winners class A regular class divided by sex, with each division open to dogs of the same sex that have won first prizes in either the Puppy, Twelve-to-Eighteen month, Novice, Bred-by-Exhibitor, American-Bred or Open classes.
The United Kennel Club (or UKC) is the second oldest all-breed registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States and the second largest in the world. Bennett conceived and promoted the concept of the "total" dog, that is, a dog that performs as well as it looks; in which intelligence and working ability was as important as conformation to the show bench standard.
