Is there a website that explains naming conventions of dogs? For example, I have seen
[name] at [kennel name]
[name] of [kennel name]
[kennel name] [name]
And also, how do dogs get the Sh. or Ch. added to their names?

Thanks,
Sarah (again :) )

The Ch bit only gets added if your dog becomes a Champion or Sh Ch a show champion (in breeds where a working qualification is required for a full Champion).

The kennel club allow a breeder to use their kennel name as the first word of a pups name. A kennel name can be added to a dogs name by the person who owns it, and a linking word is allowed such as of, at with for, over , avec, av. The kennel club will allow a fair range of these.

To use a Kennel name (Called and Affix) you have to pay a hefty fee, and a yearly maintenance fee.

Thanks Brainless!

How does a dog become a Champion - it's to do with CCs isn't it?

So if someone bought a dog, they could call it [breeder's affix] [dog's name] at/of/etc [owner's affix], is that right? That would be a really long name.

Thanks for helping me understand what seemed very complicated at first! :)

You are right Sarah - to become a Show Champion a dog/bitch must win 3 CC's under different Judges :)

You're understanding of the naming is right too - it does make for a long name at times but I think there is a limit to number of letters it can be in total - hopefully someone will give us the figures

Sara :)

A classic example is my foundation bitch: she was registered by her breeder as Eskamere (her kennel name/affix) Yarla. I then added at Barbelka (my affix).

I like to register my pups with just one word other than the afix (which is the minimum allowed) but the kennel Club limit you to a maximum of 26 letters (inclusive of affix ) for a name when registering a puppy. It pays not to choose to have a long affix, lol. you can only then add your own affix and a shoret word between.

Briefly a dog has to win 3 CCs under 3 different judges, with at least one of these won over the age of 12 months. To win a CC you have to be judged the best of sex at a Championship show with CCs on offer. In my breed that is just 18 shows a year.

Last year there were 6 champions 'made up' in my breed, 3 dogs, and 3 bitches. This year there has only been one with 13 sets of CCs already awarded.

It is arguably harder to make up a champion in UK than anywhere in the world.

In some breeds like Golden Retrievers they get 100s of dogs competing for the 2 CCs at a given show.

Breeds with lower entry numbers have fewer opportunities to win CCs.

Just to add to the confusion, you can also add your Affix before the Breeder Affix if you have bred both the dogs parents! For instance, my bitch Libby is Afterglow Jaclee Cry Baby (Jaclee is her breeders Affix, Afterglow is ours, we bred both parents).
Gwen

Thanks to all who replied to my questions. I now have a bit of understanding of what I am looking at when I see a pedigree!

Sarah