Titles Tell the Truth: Why They Matter to Your Dog’s Breed

Nosam's Sharp Shootin Spyro with her SH Ribbon

Why Titling Your Dog Helps the Breed—and Your Breeder

As breeders, we put a lot of thought into every pairing—temperament, health, structure, drive, and purpose. But our efforts don’t end when the puppies go home. The legacy of each litter continues through you, the owner. One of the most impactful ways you can contribute to your dog’s breed—and to the breeder who entrusted you with that pup—is by earning titles with your dog.

Titles Are More Than Trophies

Whether it's in conformation, field trials, obedience, rally, dock diving, agility, or hunt tests, titles are a way to prove that a dog meets the standard of the breed—not just in theory, but in practice. They validate what breeders strive for: correct structure, working ability, sound temperament, and willingness to learn.

When a dog earns a title, it’s not just about the ribbon. It tells the community and future generations:

✔ This dog has what it takes.

✔ This dog does what the breed was meant to do.

✔ This dog represents careful, intentional breeding.

You’re Preserving the Breed’s Purpose

Most purebred dogs were developed for a job. Sporting dogs hunt. Herding dogs gather. Terriers chase vermin. When those instincts go untested, we lose part of what makes the breed special.

Titling your dog in a venue related to its purpose (like hunt tests for pointing breeds, or herding for shepherds) helps preserve the functional abilities of the breed. It gives breeders real data about what’s still there—and what needs work.

You’re Supporting Your Breeder’s Program

When one of our puppies earns a title, it reflects the goals of our breeding program. It shows that the dog we believed in went out and proved it. It strengthens the pedigree, adds credibility to future litters, and helps us evaluate how our dogs produce.

Even if your dog is a beloved family companion, taking the time to earn a title demonstrates that you value what went into your puppy’s breeding. It’s a way to say, “This mattered. I didn’t just get a dog—I got a purposefully bred dog.”

It Doesn’t Have to Be a Championship

Not every dog will be a dual champion, and that’s okay. Even earning an entry-level title—like a Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Junior Hunter (JH), or Trick Dog Novice (TKN)—makes a difference. These titles tell us something about the dog’s temperament, trainability, and function. The point isn’t perfection. The point is participation.

You Become Part of the Breed’s Story

When you step into the ring, onto the field, or out on the course with your dog, you’re not just competing. You’re writing a chapter in the breed’s history. You’re helping shape where it goes next. That’s something to be proud of.

So if you’ve been on the fence about titling your dog, consider this your invitation to start. It’s a gift to your dog, your breeder, and to the future of the breed you both love.