What do all those letters mean?
In general, we want to see that the dogs we breed have "proven" themselves in some way. Certainly this can come in many forms, but earning titles in various venues is a good way to objectively demonstrate things like conformation, working ability, temperament and handler focus/biddability. At Red Cedar, we primarily are looking for dogs that are easy to live with but also excel and enjoy participating in various dog sports (agility, obedience etc.). We do show our dogs in conformation as well - largely because we appreciate that our dogs are versatile enough to "look good," participate in sports, and maintain herding (or hunting, for the Nobs) instinct that is an important part of the breed's roots. On each dog's page, you'll see a variety of letters before and after their "registered names" - these are titles they have earned by competing in various activities. We most commonly participate in AKC events, which lists all possible titles here, but we've also put together a "cheat sheet" of all of our dogs and what their titles mean on this page! Unless otherwise listed, all titles below are with AKC.
Link
U-CH: conformation champion in UKC
INTCH: conformation champion with IABCA
AKC GCH CH: conformation grand champion/champion - a CH requires 15 points and a GCH requires an additional 25 points
MACH: agility champion - this requires 20 "double Qs" where the dog must qualify in jumpers and standard classes in the same trial, as well as earning 750 points which are based on speed
CDX: open level obedience - this title requires three qualifying scores at the open level, and supersedes and can only be earned after a CD (novice level) obedience title is earned, also requiring three qualifying scores
BN: beginner novice level obedience - this is an optional level title with no pre-requirements
GO: graduate open level obedience - this is an optional level title that can be earned after a dog has earned a CDX title
RM: rally master - this title requires 10 qualifying scores at the rally master level, and can only be earned after a dog has earned rally novice, advanced, and excellent titles, each requiring three qualifying scores at that level
RAE: rally advanced excellent - this title requires ten "double qualifying" scores, where a team qualifies in both advanced and excellent rally in the same day
PT: pre-trial tested herding - this requires two qualifying scores where the dog successfully maneuvers livestock in a predetermined pattern in a set amount of time, and supersedes the HT herding title which is similar but with a simpler course
FDC: farm dog certified - the dog must demonstrate obedience and self-control in a farm environment with two passing scores
MX: master agility excellent - the dog must earn 10 qualifying scores at the master level of agility standard - this title supersedes the novice, open and excellent titles where the dog must earn three qualifying scores to earn each title
MXB: master agility bronze - the dog must earn 25 qualifying scores at the masters level of standard agility
MXJ: master agility excellent jumpers - he dog must earn 10 qualifying scores at the master level of agility jumpers with weaves - this title supersedes the novice, open and excellent titles where the dog must earn three qualifying scores to earn each title
MJB: master agility jumpers bronze - the dog must earn 25 qualifying scores at the masters level of agility jumpers with weaves
XF: excellent FAST agility - the dog must earn three qualifying scores in the excellent FAST class, this title supersedes the open and novice FAST titles (also requiring three qualifying scores)
T2B: time to beat agility - the dog must earn 15 qualifying scores and 100 points (based on speed) in the time to beat class
SHDN: scentwork handler discrimination novice - the dog must earn three qualifying scores in the novice handler discrimination class where they must use their nose to find a glove that smells like their handler in one of 10 closed boxes
CAA: coursing ability advanced - the dog must qualify in a coursing ability test (continuously pursuing a lure for 600 yards) 10 times - this title supersedes the CA title that requires three qualifying scores
DCAT: 500 points earned with Fast CAT - a 100 yard sprint where the dog earns points based on their MPH - this is the second level title that supersedes the first (BCAT) that requires 150 points
RATS: senior barn hunt title - requiring three qualifying scores at the senior level of barn hunt, supersedes the novice and open levels that also require three qualifying scores - trials are run by Barn Hunt Association but recognized by AKC
DJ/DN: dock junior and dock novice - both require five jumps off a dock into water of a certain distance - trials are run by North America Diving Dogs but recognized by AKC
CGCA/CGCU: pass/fail tests that judge the dog's ability to be a "good citizen" in a variety of scenarios - these supersede the Canine Good Citizen title (the "A" represents advanced and the "U" represents urban)
TKP: trick dog performer - the dog performs a number of high level tricks for a trick dog evaluator - this title supersedes trick dog novice, intermediate and advanced which must be earned before the performer title
ATT: two passing scores on the AKC temperament test
VHMA: virtual home manners adult - a title demonstrating good manners around the home
VSWB: virtual scent work beginner - the dog completes basic nosework searches with primary odor
LIO-I: lost item online (videoing searches of handler scented items) level one title through the North American Sport Dog Association
UAG1: level one agility title through UKC
URO1: level one rally title through UKC
RL1: level one rally title through Cynosport/WCRL
PD: performance dog agility title through USDAA
VISM+H: versatile Icelandic Sheepdog master plus herding - versatility recognition through the Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America
SSOM: silver sire of merit with the Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America
INTCH: conformation champion with IABCA
AKC GCH CH: conformation grand champion/champion - a CH requires 15 points and a GCH requires an additional 25 points
MACH: agility champion - this requires 20 "double Qs" where the dog must qualify in jumpers and standard classes in the same trial, as well as earning 750 points which are based on speed
CDX: open level obedience - this title requires three qualifying scores at the open level, and supersedes and can only be earned after a CD (novice level) obedience title is earned, also requiring three qualifying scores
BN: beginner novice level obedience - this is an optional level title with no pre-requirements
GO: graduate open level obedience - this is an optional level title that can be earned after a dog has earned a CDX title
RM: rally master - this title requires 10 qualifying scores at the rally master level, and can only be earned after a dog has earned rally novice, advanced, and excellent titles, each requiring three qualifying scores at that level
RAE: rally advanced excellent - this title requires ten "double qualifying" scores, where a team qualifies in both advanced and excellent rally in the same day
PT: pre-trial tested herding - this requires two qualifying scores where the dog successfully maneuvers livestock in a predetermined pattern in a set amount of time, and supersedes the HT herding title which is similar but with a simpler course
FDC: farm dog certified - the dog must demonstrate obedience and self-control in a farm environment with two passing scores
MX: master agility excellent - the dog must earn 10 qualifying scores at the master level of agility standard - this title supersedes the novice, open and excellent titles where the dog must earn three qualifying scores to earn each title
MXB: master agility bronze - the dog must earn 25 qualifying scores at the masters level of standard agility
MXJ: master agility excellent jumpers - he dog must earn 10 qualifying scores at the master level of agility jumpers with weaves - this title supersedes the novice, open and excellent titles where the dog must earn three qualifying scores to earn each title
MJB: master agility jumpers bronze - the dog must earn 25 qualifying scores at the masters level of agility jumpers with weaves
XF: excellent FAST agility - the dog must earn three qualifying scores in the excellent FAST class, this title supersedes the open and novice FAST titles (also requiring three qualifying scores)
T2B: time to beat agility - the dog must earn 15 qualifying scores and 100 points (based on speed) in the time to beat class
SHDN: scentwork handler discrimination novice - the dog must earn three qualifying scores in the novice handler discrimination class where they must use their nose to find a glove that smells like their handler in one of 10 closed boxes
CAA: coursing ability advanced - the dog must qualify in a coursing ability test (continuously pursuing a lure for 600 yards) 10 times - this title supersedes the CA title that requires three qualifying scores
DCAT: 500 points earned with Fast CAT - a 100 yard sprint where the dog earns points based on their MPH - this is the second level title that supersedes the first (BCAT) that requires 150 points
RATS: senior barn hunt title - requiring three qualifying scores at the senior level of barn hunt, supersedes the novice and open levels that also require three qualifying scores - trials are run by Barn Hunt Association but recognized by AKC
DJ/DN: dock junior and dock novice - both require five jumps off a dock into water of a certain distance - trials are run by North America Diving Dogs but recognized by AKC
CGCA/CGCU: pass/fail tests that judge the dog's ability to be a "good citizen" in a variety of scenarios - these supersede the Canine Good Citizen title (the "A" represents advanced and the "U" represents urban)
TKP: trick dog performer - the dog performs a number of high level tricks for a trick dog evaluator - this title supersedes trick dog novice, intermediate and advanced which must be earned before the performer title
ATT: two passing scores on the AKC temperament test
VHMA: virtual home manners adult - a title demonstrating good manners around the home
VSWB: virtual scent work beginner - the dog completes basic nosework searches with primary odor
LIO-I: lost item online (videoing searches of handler scented items) level one title through the North American Sport Dog Association
UAG1: level one agility title through UKC
URO1: level one rally title through UKC
RL1: level one rally title through Cynosport/WCRL
PD: performance dog agility title through USDAA
VISM+H: versatile Icelandic Sheepdog master plus herding - versatility recognition through the Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America
SSOM: silver sire of merit with the Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America
Isla
AKC major pointed: she has not earned her championship yet, but has earned the required "major" points that indicate she beat a larger number of dogs in a single show (she has 14 total points out of 15)
RE: rally excellent title - this supersedes the rally novice and rally advanced title - all of these require three qualifying scores
PT: pre-trial tested herding - this requires two qualifying scores where the dog successfully maneuvers livestock in a predetermined pattern in a set amount of time, and supersedes the HT herding title which is similar but with a simpler course
SWA: scentwork advanced - the dog has earned the advanced level title (three qualifying scores each) for each of the four elements (container, interior, exterior, buried)
RATN: novice barn hunt title - requiring three qualifying scores - trials are run by Barn Hunt Association but recognized by AKC
DJ: dock junior - requiring five jumps of 5+ feet off a dock into a pool - trials are run by North America Diving Dogs but recognized by AKC
CGC: AKC Canine Good Citizen title demonstrating general good manners in public
RE: rally excellent title - this supersedes the rally novice and rally advanced title - all of these require three qualifying scores
PT: pre-trial tested herding - this requires two qualifying scores where the dog successfully maneuvers livestock in a predetermined pattern in a set amount of time, and supersedes the HT herding title which is similar but with a simpler course
SWA: scentwork advanced - the dog has earned the advanced level title (three qualifying scores each) for each of the four elements (container, interior, exterior, buried)
RATN: novice barn hunt title - requiring three qualifying scores - trials are run by Barn Hunt Association but recognized by AKC
DJ: dock junior - requiring five jumps of 5+ feet off a dock into a pool - trials are run by North America Diving Dogs but recognized by AKC
CGC: AKC Canine Good Citizen title demonstrating general good manners in public
Neva
GCHB: AKC bronze grand championship - requiring a dog to earn a GCH and 100 points (winning over other champion dogs)
CH: AKC championship - requiring a dog to earn 15 points and two "major wins" (where the dog beats a larger number of dogs) in conformation
TKI: trick dog intermediate - the dog performs a number of tricks for an evaluator - requires them to have earned their novice trick title
CH: AKC championship - requiring a dog to earn 15 points and two "major wins" (where the dog beats a larger number of dogs) in conformation
TKI: trick dog intermediate - the dog performs a number of tricks for an evaluator - requires them to have earned their novice trick title
Marvel
U-CH: conformation champion in UKC
AKC CH: AKC championship - requiring a dog to earn 15 points and two "major wins" (where the dog beats a larger number of dogs) in conformation
RN: rally novice title - three qualifying scores at the novice level in rally obedience
BCAT: 150 points earned with Fast CAT - a 100 yard sprint where the dog earns points based on their MPH
SCN: scentwork container novice - three qualifying scores in the novice level of scentwork containers
AKC CH: AKC championship - requiring a dog to earn 15 points and two "major wins" (where the dog beats a larger number of dogs) in conformation
RN: rally novice title - three qualifying scores at the novice level in rally obedience
BCAT: 150 points earned with Fast CAT - a 100 yard sprint where the dog earns points based on their MPH
SCN: scentwork container novice - three qualifying scores in the novice level of scentwork containers