WORKING TITLES

AD — Ausdauerprüfung (Endurance Test)

Endurance test involving a 20 km (12.4 mile) trot beside a bicycle, with rest breaks and physical checks. Shows stamina, sound structure, and proper nerve under physical stress.

BH/VT — Begleithund / Traffic-Sure Dog Test

Foundation temperament and obedience exam. Includes heeling, sit/down/recall, neutrality around dogs and people, loud noises, and traffic tests. Required before higher working titles.

FH1 — Tracking Dog Level 1

Advanced tracking at ~1200 paces with aged tracks, articles, multiple turns. Shows high-level scent work and problem-solving.

FH2 — Tracking Dog Level 2

Very advanced tracking at 1800 paces, older tracks, more turns, and heavy distractions. 

Elite-level tracking ability.

IGP (International Gebrauchshund Prüfung)

Three levels: IGP1, IGP2, IGP3
Includes:

Tracking

Obedience

Protection

The gold standard for German Shepherd working ability, proving courage, control, nerve, and trainability.

SchH (Schutzhund – older term)

SchH1, SchH2, SchH3
Earlier version of IGP testing in tracking, obedience, and protection.

ZVV (Czech Working Title)

ZVV1, ZVV2, ZVV3
Czech system, similar to SchH/IGP but known for stricter obedience and endurance components.

SV BREED SURVEY

Körung — Breed Survey

Evaluation of temperament, courage, structure, gait, gun sensitivity, hips/elbows, and measurements.

KKL1 / KKL2 — Körklasse

KKL1: Recommended for breeding

KKL2: Acceptable for breeding

 SHOW RATINGS

VA — Vorzüglich Auslese ("Excellent Select")

Highest conformation rating. Awarded only at the German Sieger Show 

to a limited number of dogs showing top structure and movement.

V — Vorzüglich ("Excellent")

Given to adult dogs over 24 months with excellent structure and no major faults.
V1 is first place in the V class.

SG — Sehr Gut ("Very Good")

High-quality rating given to dogs over 12 months who show excellent structure but minor faults.
SG1 is the top placement.

G — Gut ("Good")

Acceptable structure but noticeable faults. Can still be breedable with correct pairing.

A — Ausreichend ("Sufficient")

Meets minimum standard but not recommended for breeding.

M — Mangelhaft ("Faulty")

Significant faults, not suitable for breeding.

U — Ungenügend ("Insufficient")

Fails to meet breed standard entirely.

AKC CONFORMATION TITLES

CH — Champion

Earned by earning 15 points (with two major wins) under at least three judges.

GCH — Grand Champion

Requires earning major wins against other champions.

GCHB — Grand Champion Bronze

Next-level achievement after GCH.

GCHS — Grand Champion Silver

High-level consistency in the show ring.

GCHG — Grand Champion Gold

One of the highest levels of AKC conformation achievement.

GCHP — Grand Champion Platinum

Elite-level dogs with extensive wins at the champion level.

AKC TEMPERAMENT, TRICK & COMMUNITY TITLES

CGC — Canine Good Citizen

Tests basic manners and stable temperament, including:

Polite leash walking

Sit/down/stay

Accepting strangers

Handling/grooming tolerance

Reaction around other dogs

Supervised separation
Great foundation for therapy, service, and advanced work.

CGCA — Canine Good Citizen Advanced (Community Canine)

More advanced public behavior.
Includes:

Loose-leash walking in real-world settings

Maneuvering through crowds

Extended stays

More complex distractions

Shows the dog can behave reliably in everyday life.

CGCU — Canine Good Citizen Urban

Focused on city or high-distraction environments, such as:

Elevators

Traffic noise

Public transportation

Crossing streets

Passing food vendors
Excellent test for working dogs who travel.

  TRICK DOG TITLES

These require performing specific numbers of AKC-approved tricks.

TKN — Trick Dog Novice

10 basic tricks such as: sit, touch, shake, spin, bow, etc.

TKI — Trick Dog Intermediate

10–15 more advanced tricks, including:

Back up

Go to place

Crawl

Weave

TKA — Trick Dog Advanced

Complex behaviors like:

Chain sequences

Carrying objects

Retrieving specific items

Scent discrimination foundations

Great for confidence building and puppy enrichment.

FDC — Farm Dog Certification

Tests stability and obedience in a farm/ranch environment.
Includes exposure to:

Livestock

Gates/working equipment

Reaction to unfamiliar surfaces

Environmental noise

Neutrality around other dogs
Perfect for ranch-bred or working-line GSDs.

💛 SERVICE & THERAPY WORK

SD — Service Dog

Indicates a dog specifically trained to perform task-based work for a disabled handler.
Tasks may include:

Mobility assistance

PTSD interruption tasks

Medical alert
Cardiac alert

Diabetic alert

Hearing alert

Behavioral interruption
Not a title but a legal working status under U.S. ADA laws.

TD — Therapy Dog

(Sometimes abbreviated THD depending on organization)
A therapy dog provides comfort in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, etc.
Must show:

Extremely stable temperament

Gentle handling

Neutrality to dogs & people

No reactivity
Accepted by organizations like:

Alliance of Therapy Dogs

Pet Partners

AKC Therapy Dog (THD titles: THDN, THD, THDA, THDX, THDD)

Updated On 01/20/2026