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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).
     

Field Trial Titles (Performance & Working)

  • FC (Field Champion): Awarded to dogs that have won points in licensed Field Trials, which are highly competitive, advanced athletic events.

  • AFC (Amateur Field Champion): Similar to an FC, but the dog must be handled by an amateur rather than a professional trainer.

  • NFC / NAFC (National Field Champion / National Amateur Field Champion): The winner of the annual National Championship event. This is the highest field honor a Labrador can achieve.

  • CFC / CAFC (Canadian Field Champion / Canadian Amateur Field Champion): Field champion titles earned in Canada.
     

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.

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