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Most certainly the dog should look like a Mastiff; it should be conformationally correct.

And within the breed there should be evidence of versatility; tracking, search and rescue, agility, therapy work, and canine ambassadorship ; are all examples of activities befitting of a noble breed.

With these basic tenets in mind, the M.C.O.A. Working Dog Committee set out to develop the criteria for establishing the Working Dog, Working Dog Excellent and Working Dog Supreme titles.

The process of developing and refining the title is dynamic as the committee continues to search for new and better ways to showcase our breed.

All dogs applying for working dog certificates much have a title from category 1, obedience. This is required.

• For a dog to qualify for the WD title it must earn a minimum of 100 points from 3 categories.
• For a WDX title 200 points must be earned from 3 categories (no more than 100 points may be earned from any 1 category).
• For the WDS title 300 points must be earned from at least 3 categories (no more than 150 points may be earned from any 1 category).

CATEGORY 1. Obedience                              

• Companion Dog (AKC 35 points, CKC or other Registry CD 20 points).

• Companion Dog Excellent ( AKC 50 points, CKC or other Registry CDX 30 points).

• Utility Dog Title (AKC 75 points) and

• Utility Dog Excellent (AKC 85 points).

Only one registry title may count towards the WD, but other registry titles may count for the WDX or WDS. For example, to earn a WD, you may count the AKC CD as 35 or you may use a UKC CD for 20 points, but not both.

However, for the WDX, you can use both the AKC CD, 35 AND the UKC CD 20 for a total of 55 points.

The maximum number of points you can use from category 1 is 100 for the WDX and 150 for the WDS. A photocopy of your title certificate serves as documentation.

CATEGORY 2. Temperament                       

• Passing an AKC Canine Good Citizen Test is worth 15 points.

• Passing a certified Temperament Test is worth 30 points.

A photocopy of your certificate serves as documentation.

For a WD title a dog may only qualify with either a TT OR CGC but not both.

A dog that passes the TDI examination and performs 10 documented therapy visits will earn 25 points.

The Completed MCOA Therapy Dog Verification Sheet must be submitted to use the TDI points.

CATEGORY 3. Tracking and Agility

• Tracking Dog (50 points)

• Tracking Dog Excellent (65 points).

• As with obedience titles, a photocopy of your title certificate serves as documentation. For an AKC Novice Agility Title, either Standard or Preferred (whichever is earned first), 35 points will be earned.

• For the second AKC novice agility title or for a novice agility title earned from another registry (ie, UKC, USDAA) 20 points will be awarded.

• The same point system applies for the AKC novice agility jumpers title.

• For the standard jumpers OR Preferred jumpers (whichever comes first), 35 points will be earned.

• For the second AKC jumpers title, or for another registry novice jumpers title, 20 points.

• As with the obedience CD requirement, only 1 registry agility title can count towards your WD. Other registry titles may count towards the WDX and WDS.

• For Open AKC Agility Standard or Preferred (whichever is earned first) 50 points will be earned.

• For the second AKC Open agility title or for an open title earned from another registry 30 points will be awarded.

• The same point schedule applies for open agility jumpers.

• For AKC open jumpers OR preferred jumpers (whichever comes first), 50 points.

• For the second AKC jumpers title, or for another registry open jumpers title, 30 points.

• For an AKC agility excellent title, standard or preferred, 75 points. A photocopy of your title will serve as documentation.

CATEGORY 4. Special Areas

This is the most diverse category, with a number of activities that can earn your WD points.

• An AKC Championship is worth 25 points, or a CKC or other CH 15 points.

• Passing a Drafting/Carting test (now held at the National) is worth 45 points.

• Open Draft title is 60 points and a Brace Draft title is 25 points.

• Being certified in Search and Rescue is worth 25 points.

• A dog that has served as a Canine Ambassador for 10 documented public outreach activities such as parades, school program, library demonstrations, pet week programs, etc, is worth 25 points.

• Documentation for these activities or titles should be supported by photocopied of the appropriate certificate or by a completed therapy dog/canine ambassador visitation log.

• Freestyle obedience, either by title from approved registry or by demonstration at the national specialty is worth 25 points.

• Novice rally obedience (AKC 20 points, other registry 15 points).

• Advanced rally obedience (AKC 30 points, other registry 20 points).

• Excellent rally obedience (AKC 35 points,

• Other registry 25 points). As with obedience and agility, only one registry rally title may count towards the WD but other registry rally titles may count towards the WDX/WDS. Additional activities may be eligible for points in this category, pending approval of the committee when documentation is submitted.