Frequently Asked Questions...
Whom do I contact for billing and account questions?
Subject Area: Contribution Queries
How do I contribute articles to Front & Finish®?
How are First & Foremost® Ratings calculated?
How is information for the Front & Finish@ rating systems obtained?
I see that Novice A dogs are ranked, do you rank the Novice B dogs also?
How are the Delaney® Rating System points calculated?
What time frame are the rating systems based on?
How are the Agility Rating System points calculated?
First & Foremost® and Delaney® Ratings - Why do some breeds have more dogs listed than other breeds in the ratings?
What is a First & Foremost® Honorable Mention?
I noticed an error in the AKC Awards. Should I notify you of the error?
I currently get the magazine through the mail and I see it's also
available online. How do I access the online
version?
What is the Front & Finish® Mail List Group?
Why don't parts of this web site appear on my screen?
Subject Area: Billing and Account QueriesQuestion: Whom do I contact for billing and account questions?Answer:
You can call our office from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, CST. Call
309-344-1333 or write to
mailbox@frontandfinish.com.
Subject Area: Contribution QueriesQuestion: How do I contribute articles to Front & Finish?Answer:
We welcome ALL contributions submitted to us for publication! Since we
are considered the "Voice Of Canine Performance Events" we highly
encourage your letters, articles, and other contributions from the
fancy. Front & Finish provides the largest amount of content for
any publication of it's kind. We strive to include as much submitted
copy in each issue as possible. Your voice is important!
Subject Area: Rating System QueriesQuestion: How are First & Foremost® Ratings calculated? Answer: This system ranks dogs that earned qualifying scores of 170 or more points in Open or Utility classes during the previous year. (Novice Class dogs are not included) Points toward a First & Foremost® ranking are awarded based on the dog's score according to the following table of qualifying scores.
Score - Points
200 = 8
198-199.5 = 7
195-197.5 = 6
190-194.5 = 5
185-189.5 = 4
180-184.5 = 3
175-179.5 = 2
170-174.5 = 1
Question: How is information for the Front & Finish® rating system obtained?Answer: Canine record data is obtained from the AKC Awards publication that is published monthly by the American Kennel Club. Since it is considered the official record of the AKC we abide by their record unless exhibitors provide us with written notice (explaining the error and providing evidence for the correction). Contact us if you are aware of errors in your record.
Question: I see that Novice A dogs are ranked, do you rank the Novice B dogs also.Answer: No, we do not rank the Novice B dogs alone. We do publish a First & Foremost® listing of Novice A & B dogs combined.
Question: How are the Delaney® Rating System points calculated? Answer: The Delaney® System ranks dogs that place first through fourth in any obedience class. One point is earned for each dog defeated in the class competition. In a class of twenty competing dogs the first place winner would receive 19 points as it defeated this number. The second placing dog would receive 18 points, third place 17 points and fourth place 16 points. Points in each class are awarded based on the number of dogs competing in that class.
Question: What time frame are the rating systems based on?Answer: All year-end rating systems published in Front & Finish® are based on a calendar year. January 1 thru December 31.
Question: How are the Agility Rating System points calculated?Answer: The Agility standings listed in Front & Finish® are divided into Novice, Open, Excellent A
The Agility standings listed in Front & Finish® are based upon a calendar year and are divided into Novice, Open, Excellent A and Excellent B reports. In order to obtain points a dog must place 1st through 4th in one of the five height divisions. Awarded points are based upon the number of dogs defeated and are calculated by taking the total number of dogs in a class (each dog representing one point) and subtracting points from the following schedule.
- 0 Points Deducted For 1st Place
- 1 Point Deducted For 2nd Place
- 2 Points Deducted For 3rd Place
- 3 Points Deducted For 4th Place
For example; in a class of 10 dogs, 1st place would be given 10 points, 2nd place would receive 9 points, 3rd place would obtain 8 points, and 4th place would get 7 points. The standings are published listing the top ten all breed dogs, the top ten dogs of each group, and the top four dogs of each breed. All ties for a placement are also listed.
Question: First & Foremost® and Delaney® Ratings - Why do some breeds have more dogs listed then other breeds in the ratings?Answer: The ratings published in Front & Finish® are based on the scores you receive from showing your dog in an AKC trial. Those scores are totaled and the top dogs of each breed with the highest point totals are listed in the paper. Occasionally there is a tie in which case we list all dogs. Additionally, we include dogs earning more than 100 points up to the top ten.
Question: What is a First & Foremost® Honorable Mention?Answer: An Honorable Mention is for anyone who has earned First & Foremost® points during the year. It is an opportunity for you to honor your dog for its accomplishments and hard work. Honorable Mention dogs are not listed with the First & Foremost® placement schedule. They are included with the pictures and write-up that goes into each annual special issue.
Question: I noticed an error in the AKC Awards. Should I notify you of the error?Answer: The AKC will publish corrections to their records. However, it is often published in the Awards issues several months later. We may not pick up the correction until it is too late. It is always wise to alert us to errors you notice in the records. Since it is considered the official record of the AKC we abide by their records unless exhibitors provide us with written notice (explaining the error and providing evidence for the correction). Contact us if you are aware of errors in your published record.
Subject Area: Web Site Queries Question: What is the Front & Finish® Mail List Group?Answer: The Front & Finish® Mail List Group is an email-based way of communicating with other individuals interested in the canine performance activities. You are invited to register for our email discussion group through Yahoo! Groups. Becoming a member of our group allows visitors the opportunity to ask questions, make comments, and view responses from fellow list members. Sign-up is easy and it's free! Please visit:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/frontandfinish/Question: Why don't parts of this web site appear on my screen?Answer: When parts of this web site do not appear to show up on your screen (i.e. Navigation Bars, etc.) it may be due to an incompatibility between this web site and the browser installed on your computer. This web site works best in the latest versions of Firefox, Netscape Communicator (also known as Netscape Navigator), Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Safari. Check to see if you have the latest versions of your software installed and update if necessary.
Subject Area: Subscription Queries Question: I currently get the magazine through the mail and I see it's also
available online. How do I access the online
version?Answer: The online issues of F&F are located in the Private Library link located under the main FRONT & FINISH link at the top of our web page. Your online account must be set up to view the Private Library! If you do not have access please call our office (309-344-1333), or
email us for assistance.
From the 1870 case Burden v. Hornsby wherein Charles Burden's dog, Old Drum, was shot by his brother-in-law Leonidas Hornsby.
