Level 3Experienced
CAC: a step towards a national championship
The answer
Have you come across the letters CAC on a show result from abroad? They stand for Certificat d’Aptitude au Championnat (Certificate of Aptitude for Championship).
The CAC is a national award that can count towards a champion title in the country concerned. How it is awarded depends on the regulations of the national kennel organisation.
A certificate whose rules vary by country
The FCI leaves it to each national organisation to decide which classes and which dogs can receive the CAC.
Before a show abroad, therefore, check the eligible classes, the conditions for awarding it and the requirements of the championship you are aiming for. French rules do not automatically carry over.
CAC, CACS, CACIB: how can you tell them apart?
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Pointer |
|---|---|---|
| CAC | Certificate of Aptitude for Championship | National certificate, under the country’s rules |
| CACS | Certificat d’Aptitude de Conformité au Standard (Certificate of Aptitude of Conformity to the Standard) | French national certificate |
| CACIB | Certificate of Aptitude for International Beauty Championship | FCI international certificate |
In France, the CACS applies to the intermediate, open and working classes. The champion class does not give access to this certificate.
A little scene to help you understand
Imagine you are preparing your first show abroad with Oslo.
Your goal: discover the country’s shows. Your first move: read its national regulations. Your result: Oslo receives a CAC.
Your next step: check what is still to be done for the championship concerned.
The CAC is a lovely achievement to keep in your records. It does not, on its own, mean that Oslo has become a champion.
How many CACs do you need to become a champion?
There is no single answer that applies to every country and every title.
Under the FCI framework, the first national champion title must be based, among other things, on at least two CACs won on two different days. This minimum is not a complete set of instructions: the national regulations may impose further conditions.
Think of the CAC as a stamp in a passport: to know the road still ahead, you have to look at the destination!
Three tips to progress
Beginner — Decode the abbreviation with the country. When you note down a CAC, always add the country and the show. You’ll avoid mixing up certificates governed by different regulations.
Intermediate — Check your class before entering. Consult the national kennel organisation’s regulations to find out whether your dog can compete for the CAC in the class you’ve chosen.
Advanced — Prepare your championship file. Keep a table of dates, judges and certificates, then compare it with the title’s official conditions. Also check the procedure for applying for recognition.