Companion Dog (CD) refers to a title offered by the American Kennel Club for dog obedience. Other kennel clubs also offer similar CD titles. To earn an American Kennel Club CD title, a dog must receive a qualifying score of 170 out of 200 in the Novice obedience class at three separate, American Kennel Club-licensed obedience trials, and by three different judges.
Dogs that receive three qualifying scores competing in the more challenging Open class at three different obedience trials, and by three different judges, can be awarded the American Kennel Club Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title.
The preceding two titles go on the end of the dog's registered name.
Before achieving either of the preceding titles, trainers have the option of entering dogs in a Beginner Novice trial to earn a Beginner Novice title (BN). It is very common for trainers to enter this optional titling class for practice. This title also goes onto the end of the dog's registered name.