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Note:
The column labelled "s/p" indicates whether this title preeceeds the dog's name (p) or follows the dog's name (s).
The column labelled "T/R/B" indicates whether the organization is a "Registry" (R), which registers and tracks individual dogs and sometimes litters, a "Titling Organization" (T), which offers Titles/Certifications, or both (B). In cases in which the role of an organization has changed over time, I have listed it by it's most current status. Also, I have listed defunct Registries who offered Titles in past years as Titling Organizations (T) as the titles remain valid even though the registry no longer exists. These distinctions (T,R,B) are made so this information can be utilized in the NSCA's Shiba Database.
WHAT IS AN OBEDIENCE TITLE REALLY?
By Sandy Mowery
Not just a brag... not just a stepping stone to a higher title... not just an adjunct to competitive scores... a title is a tribute to the dog who bears it. A way to honor the dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain on record and in memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better.
And though the dog doesn't know or care that his/her 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 and adaptable and good-natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that pleased you... however crazy they may have seemed.
And a title says that you loved your dog... that you loved to spend time with him/her because he/she was a good dog... that you believed in him/her enough to give him/her yet another chance when he/she failed and that, in the end, your faith was justified.
A title proves 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.
An obedience title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received and permanently recorded.
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