How to Read a Pedigree

This article is part of the series "Beginner's Guide to a Bouvier des Flandres"

A pedigree (the family tree of a dog) follows a universally used format and contains a great deal of information. It usually reflects at least three generations, but may cover as many as there are room for on the page.
The basic format is:
                 Grand Sire (grandfather of the dog on the father's side
                 Sire (father of the dog)
                 Grand Dam (grandmother of the dog on the father's side)
The Dog
                 Grand Sire (grandfather of the dog on the mother's side
                 Dam (mother of the dog
                 Grand Dam (grandmother of the dog on the mother's side)

American Kennel Club Titles
Only titles issued by the American Kennel Club will appear on their official pedigrees. However, most breeders prepare their own to give purchasers a more complete picture of the dog's heritage. The pedigree may contain additional information, such as birth (whelping) dates, country of origin, registration numbers, colors, titles earned/awarded.

The variety of titles that may accompany a dog's name can look like alphabet soup to the untrained eye. Some are intended to precede a dog's name, some follow it. Here are what the letters mean:
BIS - Best in Show. Awarded to a dog judged best of all participating dogs at an all breed show.
BISS - Best in Specialty Show. Awarded to the dog judged best of all participating dogs at a show of one breed.
BPIS - Best Puppy In Show (Canada). An award to a dog less than one year old judged best of all participating puppies in a specific show.
CD - Companion Dog. A title given a dog that successfully completes Novice Obedience by obtaining three passing scores (170 out of a possible 200) at three AKC or CKC licensed dog shows.
CDX - Companion Dog Excellent. An advanced obedience title given successfully Qualifying in Open Obedience class three times at AKC or CKC licensed dog shows.
OTCH - Obedience Trial Champion. A title a dog earns by winning the number of first places and points in competition as specified by current obedience regulations at AKC/CKC dog shows.
CGT - Canine Good Citizen Tested. Successfully passed the test to evaluate temperament and behavior sanctioned by the American Kennel Club.
CH - Champion. A title awarded to a dog that has acquired the minimum number of points (l5 - US-, 10 - Canada) to attain championship level by defeating specific numbers of dogs under at least three different judges at licensed AKC or CKC shows. (This title may be preceded by Amer. CH or Dutch CH, etc. indicating in which country the title was obtained.)
CQN - Certificate of Natural Qualities. Awarded by the International Canine Federation. (Europe, exc. England) Title awarded for completion of a breed working test as a prerequisite for a conformation championship.
GCH - Grand Champion. A title awarded to a dog that has acquired the minimum number of 25 points. Three majors won under three different judge and at least one or more points won under a fourth judge. Must have defeated at least one other AKC Champion of Record at three shows.
HIC or HCT - Herding Instinct Certified or Herding Capability Tested. Title offered by The American Herding Breed Association certifying the presence of natural instinct to herd livestock.
HT - Herding Tested. A title carried by demonstrating the ability to herd livestock on a prescribed course at two AKC licensed Herding Tests.
PT - Pretrial Tested. A more advanced herding test title.
HS - Herding Started -.
HI - Herding Intermediate.
HX - Herding Excellent.
HC - Herding Champion. More advanced herding titles earned on progressively more intricate courses at AKC licensed Herding Trials.
KNVP - abbrv. for Royal Dutch Police Dog Assoc. (Holland). The dog holds the Dutch Police Trial Certificate. ('Met lof' means 'with honors')
OFA - Certified to have dysplasia-free hips, after two years of age, by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.
ROM or POM - Register of Merit or Producer of Merit. Award offered by a breed club to dogs and bitches who produce a certain number of titled offspring.
SchH - abbrv. for Schutzhund. (Germany) Title for German Protection Dog in levels I, II and III. FH indicates advanced Schutzhund tracking title. Neither the Dutch or American Kennel Clubs recognize these titles. In Belgium and France the designation is IPO I through III. In America, there are breed working organizations which sanction these title events.
TT - Temperament Tested. Successfully passed the test to evaluate temperament balance, given by a representative of the American Temperament Test Society.
TDI - Therapy Dog. A title given by Therapy Dog International to dogs who pass a temperament (CGC) test and do work in situations that provide therapy to humans.
TD - Tracking Dog. A title earned by a dog passing an AKC or CKC tracking test. TDX - Tracking Dog Excellent. A title earned by a dog that has passed advance requirements on an AKC or CKC tracking course.
UD - Utility Dog. An advanced title a dog earns by winning certain minimum scores in Utility Obedience classes at a specific number of AKC or CKC licensed obedience trials. When combined with the TD or the TDX, the designation would be UDT or UDTX.
WDX - Working Dog Excellent. A title awarded for weight-pulling proficiencies. WRB - Well Rounded Bouvier. Award offered by a breed club for obtaining a certain number and variety of titles.

Articles in this Series

- Beginners Guide to the Bouvier des Flandres
- How to Select a Breeder
- What About a Rescue Dog?
- How to Read a Pedigree
- Selecting Your Bouvier Puppy

How to Read a Pedigree

Articles in this Series

Related Links

Bouvier Pedigree Database