AKC titles can only be earned at an AKC-licensed or member club trial. The Novice (CD) title must be completed before an exhibitor can enter the Open class. The Open title (CDX) must be earned before an exhibitor can enter the Utility class.
- Companion Dog (CD) — The letters CD may be added after a dog’s registered name when it has been certified as receiving qualifying scores in Novice classes at three licensed or member obedience trials.
- Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) — The letters CDX may be added after a dog’s registered name after it has been certified as receiving qualifying scores in Open classes at three licensed or member obedience trials.
- Utility Dog (UD) — The letters UD may be added after a dog’s registered name after it has been certified as receiving qualifying scores in Utility classes at three licensed or member obedience trials.
- Utility Dog Excellent (UDX) — Dogs with UD titles must earn qualifying scores in both Open B and Utility B at 10 trials in order to add the UDX title after their registered names.
- Obedience Master (OM) — The letters OM may be added after a dog’s name when it has earned a total of 200 OM points awarded to dogs earning a 190 or better from the Open B and Utility B classes based on the schedule of points established by the AKC Board of Directors. The OM will be followed by a numeric designation indicating the number of times a dog has met the requirements of the OM title up to 10.
- Grand Master (OGM) — The letters OGM may be added after a dog’s name when it has earned the 10th level of the Obedience Master title. Only one OGM title will be awarded.
- Obedience Trial Champion (OTCH) — Dogs with UD titles must win 100 points and a first-place in Utility B and Open B, plus a third first-place win in either class, under three different judges.
- National Obedience Champion (NOC) — The AKC awards this prestigious title annually to the dog that wins the AKC National Obedience Invitational. The letters NOC are placed before the dog’s AKC-registered name and become part of the dog’s permanent title.
- Beginner Novice (BN) — The letters BN may be added after a dog’s name when it has been certified to have received qualifying scores in Beginner Novice classes at 3 licensed or member obedience trials.
- Graduate Novice (GN) — The letters GN may be added after a dog’s name when it has been certified to have received qualifying scores in Graduate Novice classes at 3 licensed or member obedience trials.
- Graduate Open (GO) — The letters GO may be added after a dog’s name when it has been certified to have received qualifying scores in Graduate Open classes at 3 licensed or member obedience trials.
- Versatility (VER) — The letters VER may be added after a dog’s name when it has been certified to have received qualifying scores in Versatility classes at 3 licensed or member obedience trials
- Preferred Novice (PCD) — The letters PCD may be added after a dog’s name when it has been certified to have received qualifying scores in Preferred Novice at 3 licensed or member obedience trials.
- Preferred Open (PCDX) — The letters PCDX may be added after a dog’s name when it has been certified to have received qualifying scores in Preferred Open at 3 licensed or member obedience trials.
- Preferred Utility (PUTD) — The letters PUTD may be added after a dog’s name when it has been certified to have received qualifying scores in Preferred Utility at 3 licensed or member obedience trials.
- Preferred Utility Dog Excellent (PUDX) — The letters PUDX may be added after a dog’s name and will be followed by a numeric designation indicating the number of times a dog has bet the requirements of the PUDX title as defined in the regulations. eff. 12/1/15
- Preferred Obedience Champion (POC) — The AKC will permit the use of the letters POC preceding the name of each dog that meets the requirements and will be followed by a numeric designation indicating the number of times a dog has bet the requirements. eff. 12/1/15