Retriever Titles:
What Do Those Letters Mean?

Field Champion/Amateur Field Champion Title

The titles below are reserved for only the best retrievers as they can only be earned by WINNING through competition. It is estimated that less than 1% of all retrievers have earned the FC/ AFC title. These are the dogs to look for in your pedigree!

• NFC = National Field Champion : This title is awarded once yearly to the dog that wins the National Open. It is the most coveted of all retriever field titles.
• NAFC = National Amateur Field Champion : This title is awarded once yearly to the dog that wins the National Amateur. This competition is much like the National Open except that all handlers are amateurs.
• FC = Field Champion : This title is awarded to dogs that have won an Open at a licensed field trial and have acquired 5 additional Open points.
• AFC = Amateur Field Champion : This title is earned as above (FC) when handled by an amateur or by winning an Amateur stake at a field trial and acquiring 10 additional Amateur points.
• DC = Dual Champion : This title is awarded to dogs that have both a FC and have earned its' bench CH. The only retriever breed that currently has a DC is the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

AKC Hunt Test Titles

Hunt Test titles can be earned thorough the AKC, UKC and NAHRA. Hunt Tests are non-Competitive tests in which the dog (and handler) is measured against a standard. If the dog (and handler) meet the standard, a "pass" is earned. The AKC, UKC, and NAHRA Hunt Tests are designed to resemble actually hunting situations. Each organization has different requirements yet is equally difficult and resembles different hunting scenarios. Hunt Tests are the most popular field events. In December 2011, Curly Coated Retrievers are eligible to commpete in Spaniel Hunting Tests.

• JH = Junior Hunter : This is an AKC title that is earned by receiving 4 passes at the Junior level in a licensed Hunt Test. This is the beginning level in the AKC Hunt Test program.
• SH = Senior Hunter : This is an AKC title that is earned by receiving 5 passes (4 with a JH title) at the Senior level in a licensed Hunt Test. This is the level at which most hunting retrievers run.
• MH = Master Hunter : This is an AKC title that is earned by receiving 6 passes (5 with a SH title) at the Master level in a licensed Hunt Test. This is the highest possible Hunt Test title offered in the AKC.
• U = Titles earned by these breeds in Spaniel Hunting Tests will be designated with an “U” (for Upland) to differentiate the title from those earned in Hunting Tests (example: JHU).

UKC Hunt Test Titles

The UKC offers a stake for beginning (Junior/Started) level dogs, but does not offer a title for this level. A started pass is worth 5 points.

• HR = Hunting Retriever: This is a UKC title that is earned by acquiring 40 points. 30 of those points must be at the Seasoned or Finished level. A Seasoned pass is worth 10 points.
• HRCH = Hunting Retriever Champion: This is a UKC title that is earned by acquiring 100 points, 60 of which must be earned at the Finished level. A Finished pass is worth 15 points.
• GHRCH = Grand Hunting Retriever Champion: This is a UKC title that is earned by acquiring 220 points at the Finished level and 80 points from the HRC Grand Hunt. 1 Grand pass is worth 40 points. This is the highest possible hunt test title offered in the UKC.
• UH = Upland Hunter: This is a UKC title that is available for those that train their dogs for upland bird hunting. 40 points must be acquired. A pass is worth 10 points.
• SR = Started Retriever: This is the entry level NAHRA title. This title is earned by acquiring 10 points. At this level, a pass is worth 2.5 points.
• SHR = Started Hunting Retriever: (no description provided)
• WR = Working Retriever: This is a NAHRA title that is earned by acquiring 20 points in the Intermediate level. At this level and higher, a pass is worth 5 points.
• MHR = Master Hunting Retriever: This is a NAHRA title that is earned by acquiring 100 points, 80 of which must be earned at the Senior level.
• GMHR = Grand Master Hunting Retriever: This is a NAHRA title which is earned by acquiring 300 points at the Senior level. This is the highest possible title offered by NAHRA.

Contributed by Joe Maher