General information for the newer Whippet fancier

In order to understand the various titles and initials that surround dogs’ names in pedigrees I offer the following Whippet “Alphabet Soup” Primer.

AKC American Kennel Club concerns itself with the registration of the purebred breeds recognized in this country. Also concerns itself with the purity of pedigrees for all recognized breeds by maintaining the “Stud Book”.  Also concerns itself with the holding and record keeping for conformation (beauty) shows, and performance events such as agility, obedience, rally obedience and (very important for Belaya Whippets) lure coursing trials. Wins at AKC approved events lead to the various titles we cherish as tangible proof of competence in those areas.

ASFA The older governing body for lure coursing. Its titles are found after the hound’s name and include FCh (Field Champion) and LCM (Lure Courser of Merit). Its annual national championship is called the International Invitational and it moves about the country, but always has entries that number in the multiples of hundreds.

Ch. The AKC conformation Championship. Awarded to dogs who have earned 15 points at AKC all-breed or specialty conformation shows.

FC The AKC Field Championship. Awareded to dogs who have earned 15 points at AKC all-breed or specialty lure coursing field trials.

DC The AKC Dual Championship. This indicates that the dog has achieved its Ch and AKC Field Championship. Another way to explain it is Ch + FC = DC. Belaya has bred five AKC Dual Champions to date with several others nearing this very special title. We believe that we have bred more AKC Duals than anyone else west of the Mississippi

SC The AKC title conferred on a hound who has competed successfully in three licensed lure coursing field trials.

JC The AKC non-competitive title conferred as a recognition and as a measure of coursing “hunting” ability. It is an aptitude test requiring a “pass” grade under two different judges and is the first title required to participate competitively in lure coursing.

NA NAJ OA Three AKC Agility Titles, Novice Agility, Novice Agility Jumpers and Open Agility. We hope to accomplish many more!

CD Companion Dog, the first level AKC title for Obedience

Can. Ch. The conformation Championship conferred by the Canadian Kennel Club. I value my Canadian titles greatly as the competition is excellent and the judges are often from far away places, Europe, Central and South America and the Orient. I believe that the wins under those judges tell me information that I cannot glean from strictly US competition and I enjoy the global viewpoint.

ORC Oval Racing Champion Earned at the oval track races, similar in idea to Greyhound racing, but strictly amateur, never done for profit or with betting. SORC is the Supreme Oval Racing Champion, the higher level of the same racing.