Level 1Beginner
CAC, CACIB, titles: what do these acronyms mean?
The answer
“1st Excellent, CACS, CACIB…” Your dog has just received a result and you’re wondering whether he’s already a champion?
A certificate can count towards a championship. A title recognises a record for which all the conditions have been met and validated. Here is how to decode these letters.
CAC and CACS: the national certificate
The CAC stands for Certificate of Aptitude for the national Championship. You will come across this name in different countries, with national rules that may vary.
In France, it is called the CACS: Certificate of Aptitude of Conformity to the Standard (Certificat d’Aptitude de Conformité au Standard). It can count towards the conditions for obtaining certain French titles.
A CAC won abroad does not automatically replace a French CACS. You need to check the rules for the title concerned.
CACIB: the international certificate
CACIB stands for Certificate of Aptitude for the FCI International Beauty Championship.
It is offered at international shows authorised to award it. It can count towards an international title, subject to the applicable conditions.
The CACIB is not automatically given to the dog placed first. The judge decides whether its quality justifies the award.
RCACS and RCACIB: the reserves
The R stands for Reserve:
- RCACS: reserve CACS.
- RCACIB: reserve CACIB.
A reserve is a separate result. Whether it can later be converted into a certificate depends on precise conditions; it must not automatically be counted as a CACS or a CACIB.
A title: recognition of the whole record
A champion title requires meeting a set of rules: results, judges, countries, time limits and, depending on the title and the breed, additional conditions.
Homologation is the official validation of the application.
Among the international acronyms:
| Acronym | Meaning |
|---|---|
| C.I.B. | International Beauty Champion |
| C.I.E. | International Show Champion, intended for breeds subject to a working trial |
These titles have different conditions. For the C.I.B., the regulations distinguish in particular between breeds subject to a working trial and those that are not.
Four results to tell apart
| You read… | This means… |
|---|---|
| Excellent | A grade |
| 1st Excellent | A grade and first place in the class |
| CACS or CACIB | A certificate awarded or proposed according to the rules |
| Homologated champion | An officially validated title |
Fictional example: Oslo finishes “1st Excellent, CACS”. He has achieved a great result and a certificate. To find out whether he can apply for a title, his owner must check the whole record required.
Beginner: understanding your result
- Identify grade, placing and certificate separately. They are three different pieces of information.
- Keep the documents you receive. They will be useful for following your dog’s results.
- Start by understanding the day’s performance. Championship plans can come later.
Intermediate: following your record
- Create a results table. Note the date, show, country, judge, class and award.
- Choose one specific title. Read its conditions before planning your outings.
- Check every reserve. Look up the applicable rule before counting it as a certificate.
Advanced: preparing the homologation
- Check the time limits and the variety of judges or countries. They may determine whether the record is valid.
- Plan ahead for additional documents. Check the requirements specific to the breed and the title.
- Prepare a complete application. Use the official form and wait for validation before announcing the title.
These nine tips are practical suggestions.
Illustration caption: certificates mark out the journey; the title results from the validation of all the conditions.