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Cat Fanciers Glossary: Titles

Copyright © 1994-1998 Orca Starbuck, orca@fanciers.com

A title is an award earned by a cat that may be added to the cat's registered name according to the rules of a cat registering association.

Typically, a title is added to the beginning of the cat's name, before the cattery name prefix, but some titles are added to the end of the cat's name. For example, in the name "CH Sheenah's Ashley of Ashmanor, DM" there are two titles. The title "CH" (Champion) is at the beginning of the name. The title "DM" (Distinguished Merit) is at the end of the name.

Depending on the association and the particular title, titles may be earned either by defeating other cats in one or more shows, earning some number of year-end points, or producing some number of offspring that earn titles themselves.

This document simply lists most of the titles awarded by the various associations, and gives a brief description of each title. For more information on the rules for earning titles in each association, you'll need to contact the association for a copy of their current show rules.

For quick information on the Web, Fanciers list members have put together documents that give brief, unofficial descriptions of the rules for earning titles in various associations:

List of Titles


Champion (CH): In most associations, this is the first title that a cat can compete for in the championship class (and in TICA, also the alter class). The particular requirements depend on the association.
Companion: In CFF, this title is the rough equivalent of Champion for cats shown in the Household Pet class.
Distinguished Merit (DM): A title awarded by CFA to female cats who have produced five CFA Grand Champions or Grand Premiers, and to male cats who have produced fifteen Grand Champions or Grand Premiers. This title is also awarded by FIFe, to female cats who have produced five FIFe International Champion or International Premior offspring, and to male cats who have produced ten International Champion/Premior offspring.
Double Grand Champion (DGC or DGCH): A TICA title awarded to cats in the championship and alter classes. A cat must first become a Grand Champion before it can begin to compete towards the title of Double Grand Champion. Sometimes, the term "Double Grand Champion" is also used to refer to a cat that has earned the title of Grand Champion in two associations.
Double Grand Master (DGM): In TICA, this title is the rough equivalent of Double Grand Champion for cats shown in the Household Pet class.
European Champion (EC): In FIFe, this is the highest title awarded to whole adult cats. A cat must first become a Grand International Champion before it can begin to compete towards the title of European Champion.
European Premior (EP): In FIFe, this title is the rough equivalent of European Champion for cats shown in the alter class.
Grand Champion (GC, GRC, GCH, or Gr. Ch.): In North American associations, Champions may continue to compete towards this title. A cat must first become a Champion before it can begin to compete towards the title of Grand Champion. The particular requirements depend on the association.
Grand Companion: In CFF, this title is the rough equivalent of Grand Champion for cats shown in the Household Pet class.
Grand International Champion (GIC): A FIFe title awarded to whole adult cats. A cat must first become an International Champion before it can begin to compete towards the title of Grand International Champion.
Grand International Premior (GIP): In FIFe, this title is the rough equivalent of Grand International Champion for cats shown in the alter class.
Grand Master (GM): In TICA, this title is the rough equivalent of Grand Champion for cats shown in the Household Pet class.
Grand Premier (GP, GRP, GPR, or Gr. Pr.): In most North American associations, this title is the rough equivalent of Grand Champion for cats shown in the Premiership class.
International Champion (IC): A FIFe title awarded to whole adult cats. A cat must first become a FIFe Champion before it can begin to compete towards the title of International Champion.
International Premior (IP): In FIFe, this title is the rough equivalent of International Champion for cats shown in the alter class.
International Winner (IW): In TICA, this title is awarded to cats that have earned an International award.
Master: In TICA, this title is the rough equivalent of Champion for cats shown in the Household Pet class.
Master Grand Champion (MGC or MGCH): In CFF, this is the highest title awarded to cats in the Championship class. A cat must first become a Grand Champion before it can begin to compete towards the title of Master Grand Champion.
Master Grand Companion: In CFF, this title is the rough equivalent of Master Grand Champion for cats shown in the Household Pet class.
Master Grand Premier: In CFF, this title is the rough equivalent of Master Grand Champion for cats shown in the Premiership class.
National Winner (NW): In CFA, this title is awarded to cats that have earned a National award.
Outstanding Dam (OD): A title awarded by TICA to female cats who have produced five TICA Grand Champions.
Outstanding Sire (OS): A title awarded by TICA to male cats who have produced fifteen TICA Grand Champions.
Premier (PR or Prem.): In most associations, this title is the rough equivalent of Champion for cats shown in the Premiership class. In FIFe, this title is spelled "Premior."
Quadruple Grand Champion (QGC or QGCH): A TICA title awarded to cats in the championship and alter classes. A cat must first become a Triple Grand Champion before it can begin to compete towards the title of Quadruple Grand Champion. Sometimes, the term "Quadruple Grand Champion" is also used to refer to a cat that has earned the title of Grand Champion in four associations.
Quadruple Grand Master (QGM): In TICA, this title is the rough equivalent of Quadruple Grand Champion for cats shown in the Household Pet class.
Regional Winner (RW): In CFA, this title is awarded to cats that have earned a Regional award.
Supreme Grand Champion (SGC or SGCH): In TICA, this is the highest title awarded to cats in the championship and alter classes. A cat must first become a Quadruple Grand Champion before it can begin to compete towards the title of Supreme Grand Champion.
Supreme Grand Master (SGM): In TICA, this title is the rough equivalent of Supreme Grand Champion for cats shown in the Household Pet class.
Triple Grand Champion (TGC or TGCH): A TICA title awarded to cats in the championship and alter classes. A cat must first become a Double Grand Champion before it can begin to compete towards the title of Triple Grand Champion. Sometimes, the term "Triple Grand Champion" is also used to refer to a cat that has earned the title of Grand Champion in three associations.
Triple Grand Master (TGM): In TICA, this title is the rough equivalent of Triple Grand Champion for cats shown in the Household Pet class.
World Winner (RW): In FIFe, this title is awarded to cats that have been at least best of category at the annual FIFe World Show. This is used after the cat's name, with the year it was earned, as follows: "EC SF*Rusalka Rodion Raskolnikov, WW96"

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