Glossary of Terms
Organizations
ADRK – Allgemeiner Deutscher Rottweiler Klub - This is the official governing body for rottweilers in Germany and accepted worldwide as the Rottweiler breed parent organization
AKC – American Kennel Club - The American organization responsible for dog registrations of every recognized breed. They also sanction conformation, sporting and other events
ARC – American Rottweiler Club - The division of the AKC that has special interest in Rottweilers.
ARV – American Rottweiler Verein - An organization in the US that emulates the ADRK and sponsors "German style" events including conformation shows and working trials
FCI – Federation Cynologique International (International Canine Federation) - The FCI is the largest canine organization in the world. It unifies national canine organizations with members and associate members from various countries and continents. In addition to other things, the FCI sanctions national championships and international championships. The rules and titles of the FCI are the most widely accepted in the world. Almost every major country in the world is a member of the FCI with the exceptions of the United States and Great Britain
USRC – United States Rottweiler Club - An organization in the US that emulates the ADRK and sponsors “German style” events including conformation shows and working trials
VDH – Verband fur das Deutsche Hundewesen - This is the official body that governs all dog breeds in Germany, of which the ADRK is a division. The VDH in Germany can be compared to the AKC in the United States
Health Terms
CERF (Eyes) – Canine Eye Registration Foundation. This organization evaluates and certifies dogs to be free of heritable eye disease, such as Progressive retinal atrophy. They also research and collect data to better understand the diseases and work to eliminate heritable eye disease in all purebred dogs.
OFA – Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. The organization that evaluates and certifies hips and elbows in the USA. Hips can only be certified after the age of 24 months. The ratings for the hips are “excellent”, “good”, “fair” or not passing.
Elbows – Elbow dysplasia is a general term used to identify an inherited polygenic disease in the elbow of dogs. The OFA offers certification to show if the dog displays evidence of elbow dysplasia or not.
ED- No indication of Elbow Dysplasia
ED+- Very minor indication of Elbow Dysplasia. 50/50 chance of the elbows passing in America with the OFA.
ED+ Indication of Elbow Dysplasia. Will not pass in America with the OFA and should not be bred.
ED++ X-rays show positive Elbow Dysplasia. Will not pass in America with the OFA. Breeding is prohibited in Germany and should not be bred in America or any other country.
ED+++ Severly Displastic. Breeding is prohibited in Germany and should not be bred in America or any other country.
ED+- Very minor indication of Elbow Dysplasia. 50/50 chance of the elbows passing in America with the OFA.
ED+ Indication of Elbow Dysplasia. Will not pass in America with the OFA and should not be bred.
ED++ X-rays show positive Elbow Dysplasia. Will not pass in America with the OFA. Breeding is prohibited in Germany and should not be bred in America or any other country.
ED+++ Severly Displastic. Breeding is prohibited in Germany and should not be bred in America or any other country.
Heart – Rottweilers can suffer from congenital heart disease. The most common cause is developmental defects. This includes aortic stenosis and pulmonary stenosis. If the defect is severe, most dogs will die under one year of age. Heart defects can be hereditary. You can check with your vet as Heart screening is available. The OFA offers certification to show if the dog displays evidence of congenital cardiac disease or not.
Hip Dysplasia – The most common cause of rear end lameness in the dog. Hip dysplasia is a partially inheritable condition. Normal dogs can produce dysplastic offspring. Dysplastic dogs can be asymptomatic. Dysplastic dogs can produce normal offspring. The most certain thing about this condition is, that in its most severe form, it is devasting for both dog and owner. The OFA offers certification to show if the dog displays evidence of hip dysplasia or not.
HD- No indication of Hip Dysplasia
HD+- Very minor indication of Hip Dysplasia. 50/50 chance of the hips passing in America with the OFA.
HD+ Indication of Hip Dysplasia. Will not pass in America with the OFA and should not be bred.
HD++ X-rays show positive Hip Dysplasia. Will not pass in America with the OFA. Breeding is prohibited in Germany and should not be bred in America or any other country.
HD+++ Severly Displastic. Breeding is prohibited in Germany and should not be bred in America or any other country.
HD+- Very minor indication of Hip Dysplasia. 50/50 chance of the hips passing in America with the OFA.
HD+ Indication of Hip Dysplasia. Will not pass in America with the OFA and should not be bred.
HD++ X-rays show positive Hip Dysplasia. Will not pass in America with the OFA. Breeding is prohibited in Germany and should not be bred in America or any other country.
HD+++ Severly Displastic. Breeding is prohibited in Germany and should not be bred in America or any other country.
Patella – The patella, or kneecap, is part of the stifle joint (knee). In patellar luxation, the kneecap luxates, or pops out of place, either in a medial or lateral position. The OFA offers certification to show if the dog displays evidence of patellar luxation or not.
Working Titles
ABST – Advanced Breed Suitability Test - Offered by the USRC to emulate the Gekort.
AD – Ausdaur Prufung (Endurance Test): In order for a dog to earn this title they must run 20K (about 12.5 miles) in two hours without excessive fatigue. This title is earned in Germany or in German style shows.
B: Equivalent to a BH, but given in the US.
BH – Begleithund: Basic obedience and sociability title, usually given in Germany, and a prerequisite for Schutzhund titles. It is considered to be a traffic safety title. The trial includes on and off leash obedience as well as a temperament test.
BIH – Blinden Hund: Blind guide dog
BST – Breed Suitability Test: Offered by the USRC to emulate the ZTP.
CD – Companion Dog: An obedience title offered by the AKC. Has completed the requirements for the Companion Dog obedience degree by receiving a qualifying score three separate times in the Novice Obedience class.
CDX – Companion Dog Excellent: This is a higher obedience degree offered by the AKC. Has completed the requirements for the Companion Dog Excellent obedience degree by receiving a qualifying score three separate times in the Open Obedience class.
CGC – Canine Good Citizen: A temperament test designed to demonstrate the dog’s ability to behave properly in social situations. Awarded by the AKC.
DH – Dienst Hund: Service dog
DM – Deutsche Meisterschaft: Working dog championship held annually by a German club or organization.
FH – Fahrtenhund: An advanced tracking degree, which includes two levels with increased difficulty (FH and FH II) this is given in Germany or German style shows.
Gekort: An advanced breed test also known as Korung given in Germany and by German style clubs in America. In addition to the requirements of the ZTP, they require a SchH III, IPO III, or VPG III for a male and a SchH I, IPO I, or VPG I for a female. The minimum age for males is 36 months and for females it is 30 months. In addition, they require three show critiques with a SG rating or better, HD/ED certificates and AD title. After this title is achieved, the dog must wait two years before it can attempt a lifetime breeding test. This title deems a dog suitable for breeding by the ADRK for a period of two years at which time they are subject to re-evaluation. Only pups from such breedings are eligible for registration with the ADRK.
Gekort bis EzA: Lifetime breed suitability test. A dog with this title is rated by the ADRK as suitable for breeding for the duration of Breeding Utilization Age (nine years in males and up to nine years in females).
HGH – Herdengebaruchshund: Herding dog
HIC: Herding Instinct Certified (AKC)
HIT: Herding Instinct Tested (AKC)
IPO – International Prufungsordung: International working test similar to Schutzhund, incorporates tracking, obedience, and protection. IPO I is Beginning (minimum age 14 months), IPO II is intermediate (minimum age 16 months), IPO III is advanced (minimum age 20 months).
Korung: Has met strict requirements in all areas: breed suitablity, conformation, working, protection, is free from Hip Dysplasia. Dog or bitch is suitable for breeding (gekort) for a period of two years; after that time dog and progeny are re-evaluated.
LBST: Lifetime breed suitability test. Offered by the USRC to emulate the Gekort bis EzA.
LS – Leistungssieger: Title awarded to the winner of the Deutsche Meisterschaft. Parents and grandparents have Schutzhund degrees and Korung.
MH – Meldehund: Military dog
OB Ch – Obedience Champion
OTCH – Obedience Trial Champion (AKC)
PH – Polizei Hund: Police dog
Pink Papers: Uninterrupted Schutzhund lineage.
RH – Rettungshund: Rescue dog
RTD – Registered Therapy Dog
SchH – Schutzhund: Working degree requiring extensive abilities in the areas of tracking, obedience, and protection. There are three levels of Schutzhund : SchH I Beginning Schutzhund (minimum age 14 months), SchH II: Intermediate Schutzhund (minimum age 16 months), Sch III:Advanced Schutzhund (minimum age 18 months). After attaining the degree at any level the dog must wait six months before being eligible for competition at the next higher level. Upon reaching SchH III, dog is eligible for competition at any time.
SH- Such Hund: tracking dog
TD – Tracking Dog: Has passed an AKC-licensed tracking test. May be combined with Utility Degree (UDT). A test designed to assess a dog’s scenting and tracking ability.
TDX – Tracking Dog Excellent: An advanced degree of tracking offered by the AKC.
TT – Temperament Test: Awarded by ATTS (American Temperament Test Society)
UD – Utility Dog: Has attained the Utility Dog title by receiving three qualifying scores in Utility class. May be combined with Tracking Degree (UDT).
UDX – Utility Dog Excellence
VPG: Three levels of working degrees equivalent to the SchH and IPO titles.
WH – Wachhund: Watch/Guard dog. Obedience, guard test. No bite work is involved in this training.
ZTP – Zuchttauglichkeitsprufung: An evaluation of a dogs temperament, character, and working ability. They are designed to select those Rottweilers that are worthy of being bred. The dog’s conformation must be judged of breeding quality and free of disqualifying faults. The dog must have a valid hip certification number and must have a tattoo or microchip for identification. Once the conformation and soundness qualifications have been met, the dog’s temperament is tested. This test includes a gun sureness test, a protection test, and a test to ensure that the dog is stable around the public. These tests are vital to maintain the Rottweiler in type and temperament.
ZTPR – Has passed the Breed Suitability test in Germany.
Conformation Titles
VA rating - Excellent Select Title, that is only awarded at the Annual Sieger Show. (Auslese Klasse) select class.
V rating – (Vorzuglich) This rating is given in German style shows. The judge will give a detailed report of the dog’s conformation and rate the dog as to how closely it matches the standard. The V rating stands for "excellent" representative of the standard.
SG rating – (Sehr Gut) This rating stands for "very good" representative of the standard. This is the highest rating generally offered to dogs under the age of two.
G rating – (Gut) This rating stands for "good" representative of the standard.
NG rating – This rating stands for "not satisfactory" and usually indicates a dog with a major fault.
VVN – (Vielversprechend) This rating stands for "very promising" (puppy class only)
VN – (Versprechend) This rating stands for "promising" (puppy class only)
A rating – (Ausreichend) means sufficient.
M rating – (Mangelhaf) means faulty.
O rating – (zero) failed
U rating – unsatisfactory
GN rating – (Genugend) satisfactory rating
1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A – Eye ratings that are eligible for the Korung and BST. 1A is the darkest possible shade of brown.
3B, 4A – Eye ratings that are eligible for the BST but ineligible for the Korung.
German Classes
Gebrauchshund Klasse – Dogs over twenty four months with a working title. The Sieger and Siegerin come from this class.
Junghend Klasse – Dogs in twelve to eighteen months show class; separated according to sex. No titles necessary
Jungsten Klasse – Dogs in nine to twelve months class; separated according to sex. No titles necessary.
Junghund Klasse – Dogs in eighteen to twenty-four months show class; separated according to sex. No titles necessary
Offence Klasse – Dogs over twenty-four months class without working titles. Separated according to sex.
Sieger Klasse – Open only to Siegers/Siegerins. Separated according to sex.
Zuchtgruppen Klasse – Progency group from one kennel.
AKC Classes
6 to 9 Month class, 9-12 Month class – Puppies showing age and class they are entered in.
12 to 18 Month class – Dogs at least 12 months old but under 18 months on the day of the show that are not champions
American-Bred class – For any dog whelped in the United States as the result of a mating that took place in the United States that is not yet a champion
Best of Breed – This class is for champions only
Bred-by-Exhibitor class – Dogs being shown by any one of the breeders of record who is also an owner or co-owner. The dog may also be shown by a member of the immediate family of any one of the breeders of record. No champions of record are eligible to show in this class.
Novice class – Dogs born in the United States, Canada, Mexico or Bermuda that have not earned three first-place ribbons in the Novice class or one first-place ribbon in the Bred –by-Exhibitor, American-Bred or Open class. Dogs in this class may not have won any points toward their championships
Open class – Any dog six months or older
Puppy class – Pups under 12 months of age on the day of show that are not champions
