What is a Title Really?

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher Title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores.

A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor the dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard. And though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good-natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed.

A Title says that you loved your dog that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believe in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that, in the end, your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few; that in a world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received permanently

-Sandy Mowery (writer for Front & Finish)

Some titles you may see before a dog's registered name:

CH (champion) may be connected with-

Am- American

Can- Canadian

Int- International

if not connected to a country, it is assumed to mean American Champion

VN (Versitile Newfoundland) means that a dog has earned the following- American Championship, AKC CD (obedience), NCA Draft Dog and Water Rescue Dog

CD- Companion Dog

CDX- Companion Dog Excellent

UD- Utility Dog

DD- Draft Dog or Delta Dog (Therapy)

ROM- Register of Merit

TDD- Team Draft Dog

TD- Tracking Dog

TDI- Therapy Dog

WD- Water Dog

WRD- Water Rescue Dog

WRDX- Water Rescue Dog Excellent

CGC- Canine Good Citizen

A note about Health Clearances:

What is CHIC?

In short, CHIC is a database of consolidated health screening results from multiple sources. Co-sponsored by the OFA and the AKC Canine Health Foundation, CHIC works with parent clubs to identify health screening protocols appropriate for individual breeds. Dogs tested in accordance with the parent club established requirements, that have their results registered and made available in the public domain are issued CHIC numbers.

Do test results have to be normal?

No, CHIC is not about normalcy. CHIC is meant to encourage health testing and sharing of all results, normal and abnormal, so that more informed breeding decisions can be made in an overall effort to reduce the incidence of genetic disease and improve canine health.

Learn more about CHIC

Newfoundlands are a CHIC Breed - the following are the breed requirements:

There are many other venues where Newfoundlands can and do earn titles, including Rally Obedience, Agility, Freestyle and higher level Tracking.

Comprehensive List of AKC Titles -1

Comprehensive List of AKC Titles - 2

List of NADAC Agility Titles

List of USDAA Agility Titles

WCFO Freestyle Titles