why are some dogs known as only sh ch, and others are sh ch sh ch, i have been looking at a friends crufts catalog from last yr and i was wondering what the difference is?

Sh.Ch. means it is a show champion, a dog which has won three challenge certificates under three judges and has not qualified at a field trial or show dog qualifier for working ability. Ch is a champion dog, which has won three challenge certificates and has qualified at a show dog qualifying field trial or ordinary field trial. Int.Ch. is a dog who has been made a champion in more than one country. Ft.Ch. is a dog who field trial champion, and has not got his show challenge certificates to make it a champion. Ft.Ch. is however probably the hardest title to win.
On pedigrees you might also see Ftw & Ftaw which are not official awards but are used to denote a dog which has done well in field trials, Ftw being Field trial winner, and Ftaw being field trial award winner for being placed in a trial. On flatcoat pedigrees you would also see SDC followed by "A" or "B" these are awards made by the Flatcoated Retriever Society to dogs which have been tested on an ordinary shoot, for good gundog qualities, such as steadiness, biddabilty, quietness and soft mouth.
There are other awards which are for working trials, hopefully someone else here can explain them.

The title Sh Ch applies only to Gundog breeds.
Dawn R.

Sorry Dawn but it also applies to Border Collies they only become a full Ch if they pass a working test.Gillian

Ahhh every day's a school day. Thanks for that!
Dawn R.

At one time there was a talk about every dog having to prove it's self at the job for which it was bred before becoming a full Champion!

Some wag asked if that would mean the judge would have to eat the Chow Chow!!!!! :D

John