What's in a Title?

Thursday May 12, 2011 01:41pm

Many people including my friends and family wonder why I train dogs and compete with them to earn titles.  They ask me what's a title?  They ask me why would anyone pay to have their dog trained to the level you train them???  Why do you train dogs for your job and then train and compete with your personal dogs at other dog sports for fun???  I have to admit some of these people even my friends and family I just ignore.  As for what's a title..a title is proof of an accomplishment in a dog sport, i.e. obedience, agility, or hunt tests just to name a few.  A title is recognized with a certificate and initials at the end of your dogs registered name.  For example, Island Acres No Here Heel MH (Master Hunter Title) CDX (Companion Dog Excellent Title) RE (Rally Excellent) CGC (Canine Good Citizen).  For the other questions I answer by explaining to them that dog competitions are just a hobby no different then a person spending the big bucks on a set of golf clubs and paying a golf instructor for help with their game!  Whatever floats your boat right?  I think the following "poem" sums up why I train/compete with dogs much better then I ever could explain it!!!  This poem is adapted from the original poem by, Sandy Mowery.  I tweaked it just a little bit, it was about an obedience title but I took that out so it would be about any title you might get your dog.

What is a Title Really?

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just and adjunct to competitive scores: a title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor the dog, an ultimate memorial.

 It will remain in the record and in the memory, for about as long as anything in this world can remain.

And though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A title says your dog was intelligent, adaptable, and good natured.

It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy then may have sometimes seemed.

In addition, a title says that you loved your dog.  That you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed and in the end your faith was justified.

A title proves that your dog inspired you to that special relationship enjoyed by so few; that in a world of disposable creatures, this dog with a title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return.

And when that dear short life is over, the title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend.  Volumes of praise in one small set of initials after the name.

A title is nothing less that then true love and respect, given and received and recorded permanently.

 By, Sandy Mowery

I hope this sheds a little light for my friends and family that have to ask WHY?  As for my dog friends either you have already read this poem or you TOTALLY get it!!!

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