F&F Ratings
Front & Finish® provides several recognitions of accomplishment and
competitive rankings for teams competing in AKC Obedience and Rally classes.
Front & Finish Rating Systems
Our First & Foremost®, and Delaney®, rating systems are nationally recognized tabulations of teams competing in AKC Obedience and Rally competition. These breakdowns are often used by clubs and schools to offer awards to their members at annual banquets and gatherings. Each of our rating systems is tabulated across a given calendar year and is based either on score or placement within a given class or classes. The specific details of each rating system is indicated below.
All Front & Finish® rankings are published in reports that list the top ten dogs ranking highest across all breeds (Top Ten All Breed), the top ten dogs ranking highest within their respective groups (Top Ten By Group), and the top ten dogs ranking highest by breed (Top Ten By Breed).
Dogs are listed with the recognized AKC titles they received during the competition year which may not reflect the dog’s current titles at the time of publication. All dogs tying for a given position are listed.
We are always interested in maintaining accurate data in our published ratings. Unfortunately in publishing records on thousands of dogs, errors will undoubtedly appear. In order to verify questions you have about your dog’s record we need you to furnish us with an official copy of your dog’s Points and Awards Report from the AKC. To do this go to the AKC website “Reports” page (located at http://www.akc.org/store/reports/index.cfm) and order a report. We must have a copy of the official AKC Points and Awards report in order to process any claims or questions about your dog’s record! We can no longer accept personal trial records for this purpose.
After obtaining access to your AKC Points and Awards report please save it to a PDF file and email it to us. Optionally you can snail-mail an actual printed report to Ratings, Front & Finish, P. O. Box 333, Galesburg, IL 61402-0333. We will verify our records against the report you provide and notify you of our decision.
We do take the ratings very seriously and want to assure you that a correction will be published in the event of an error. It is very important that owners realize it is their responsibility to check their dog’s AKC records on a regular basis to ensure that their show information is maintained accurately. We consider the AKC records to be the official transcripts of trial events at the time of publication. As such, we regret that we cannot publish corrections for records the owner has not properly maintained with the AKC. When corrections are published they typically appear in the issue following verification of the complaint. Due to the number of records maintained we regret that we can’t republish and redistribute entire rating reports.
It is important for exhibitors to realize that we are not affiliated with the AKC and we cannot make corrections to your show records for you. If you notice that there is an error in your dog’s AKC Points and Awards report you must contact the AKC to have it corrected. The importance of maintaining your AKC trial records promptly cannot be overemphasized, especially at the end of any given year! We collect out data from the AKC at the beginning of each new year and records corrected after this time may not be included in our report data. Email us if you have concerns.
Obedience Ratings
Front & Finish® Delaney Rating System
The Delaney Rating System compares performances of dogs in AKC obedience competition. This system was originally devised by Mr. Kent Delaney, a highly respected obedience and breed judge. The philosophy of the Delaney Rating System is that placing dog/handler teams in each class are the best performers and comparisons of teams should only include these participants. Therefore this system only ranks dogs that place first through fourth in Open and Utility classes. Novice class dogs are not included. Among those dogs that place, one point is earned for each dog defeated in the rest of the class competition. For example in a class of twenty competing dogs the first place winner would earn 19 points as it defeated this number of other dogs. The dog in second place would receive 18 points, the third place dog would earn 17 points, and the fourth place dog would earn16 points. After points in each class are determined they are compiled across a given competition year and published in reports listing the top ten dogs across all breeds, the top ten dogs within each group, and the top ten dogs within each breed. Dogs must defeat a minimum of five other dogs in a given year to be listed, and all ties for a given position are reported.
Front & Finish® First & Foremost Rating System
The First & Foremost® Rating System compares performances of dogs in AKC obedience competition. The philosophy of the First & Foremost® Rating System is that all qualifying dog/handler teams in each class are deserving of recognition based upon their scores. As such, all teams that earn qualifying scores of 170 or more in Open and Utility classes are eligible to be ranked. Novice class dogs are not included in this system but are ranked separately in the Front & Finish® Novice A&B Ratings By Score. Points toward a First & Foremost® ranking are awarded by comparing a team’s score in each class to a point table designed to take variances of judging opinions into account. After points in each class are determined they are compiled across a given competition year and published in reports listing the top ten dogs across all breeds, the top ten dogs within each group, and the top ten dogs within each breed. Dogs must receive a combined minimum of eight points for a given year to be listed, and all ties for a given positions are reported.
| First & Foremost Point Schedule | |
|---|---|
|
200 |
8 Points |
|
198 - 199.5 |
7 Points |
|
195 - 197.5 |
6 Points |
|
190 - 190.5 |
5 Points |
|
185 - 189.5 |
4 Points |
|
180 - 184.5 |
3 Points |
|
175 - 179.5 |
2 Points |
|
170 - 174.5 |
1 Point |
Front & Finish® Top 100 Dog Listing
The Front & Finish® Top 100 Dog listing recognizes the top one hundred placing dogs and handlers that compete in AKC obedience trials during a given competition year. These teams receive points by placing first through fourth in AKC Open and Utility classes during a given calendar year. Novice class dogs are not included. One point is earned for each dog defeated within a class. In a class of 20 competing dogs, for example, the first place winner would receive 19 points as it defeated this number of other dogs. The second place winner would receive 18 points; third place, 17 points; and fourth place, 16 points. Points are tabulated and dogs are then ranked. All dogs tying for a given position are listed.
Front & Finish® High Combined Listing
The Front & Finish® High Combined Listing recognizes all dogs and handlers acquiring at least one high combined award at an AKC obedience trial during a given competition year. The high combined award means that the dog and handler earned the highest total combined score from the open and utility classes at a given trial. This listing ranks all teams starting with the most high combined awards received. All dogs tying for a given position are listed.
Front & Finish® High In Trial Listing
The Front & Finish® High In Trial Listing recognizes all dogs and handlers acquiring at least one high in trial award at an AKC obedience trial during a given competition year. The high in trial award means that the dog and handler earned the highest total score from any class at a given trial. This listing ranks all teams starting with the most high in trial awards received. All dogs tying for a given position are listed.
Front & Finish® Open A Ratings
The Front & Finish® Open A Ratings rank dogs in AKC obedience competition that earn qualifying scores of 170 or more points in Open A classes during a given competition year. Points are awarded based on the dog’s score according to our First & Foremost® point table (see aforementioned First & Foremost® which helps to account for variances in scores awarded by different judges. After points in each class are determined they are compiled across a given competition year and published in reports listing the top ten dogs across all breeds, the top ten dogs within each group, and the top ten dogs within each breed. Dogs must receive a combined minimum of eight points for a given year to be listed and all ties for a given position are reported.
Front & Finish® Novice A&B Ratings
The Front & Finish® Novice A&B Ratings rank dogs in AKC obedience competition that earn qualifying scores of 170 or more points in Novice A and B classes during a given competition year. Points are awarded based on the dog’s score according to our First & Foremost® point table (see aforementioned First & Foremost®) which helps to account for variances in scores awarded by different judges. After points in each class are determined they are compiled across a given competition year and published in reports listing the top ten dogs across all breeds, the top ten dogs within each group, and the top ten dogs within each breed. Dogs must receive a combined minimum of eight points for a given year to be listed and all ties for a given position are reported.
Rally Ratings
Front & Finish® Rally Novice Ratings
The Front & Finish® Rally Novice Ratings rank dogs in AKC Rally Obedience competition who place first through fourth in any Rally Novice A & B classes during a given calendar year. One point is earned for each dog defeated within a class. For example, in a class of 20 competing dogs, the first place winner would receive 19 points as it defeated this number of other dogs. The second place winner would receive 18 points; third place, 17 points; and fourth place, 16 points. After points in each class are determined they are compiled across a given competition year and published in reports listing the top ten dogs across all breeds, the top ten dogs within each group, and the top ten dogs within each breed. All dogs tying for a given position are listed.
Front & Finish® Rally Advanced A Ratings
The Front & Finish® Rally Advanced A Ratings rank dogs in AKC Rally Obedience competition that place first through fourth in Rally Advanced A classes during a given calendar year. One point is earned for each dog defeated within a class. For example, in a class of 20 competing dogs, the first place winner would receive 19 points as it defeated this number of other dogs. The second place winner would receive 18 points; third place, 17 points; and fourth place, 16 points. After points in each class are determined they are compiled across a given competition year and published in reports listing the top ten dogs across all breeds, the top ten dogs within each group, and the top ten dogs within each breed. All dogs tying for a given position are listed.
Front & Finish® Rally Combined Ratings
The Front & Finish® Rally Combined Ratings rank dogs in AKC Rally Obedience competition who place first through fourth in Rally Advanced A&B, and Rally Excellent A&B classes during a given calendar year. One point is earned for each dog defeated within a class. For example, in a class of 20 competing dogs, the first place winner would receive 19 points as it defeated this number of other dogs. The second place winner would receive 18 points; third place, 17 points; and fourth place, 16 points. After points in each class are determined they are compiled across a given competition year and published in reports listing the top ten dogs across all breeds, the top ten dogs within each group, and the top ten dogs within each breed. All dogs tying for a given position are listed.
Front & Finish® Rally Master Ratings
The Front & Finish® Rally Master Ratings rank dogs in AKC Rally Obedience competition who place first through fourth in Rally Master level classes during a given calendar year. One point is earned for each dog defeated within a class. For example, in a class of 20 competing dogs, the first place winner would receive 19 points as it defeated this number of other dogs. The second place winner would receive 18 points; third place, 17 points; and fourth place, 16 points. After points in each class are determined they are compiled across a given competition year and published in reports listing the top ten dogs across all breeds, the top ten dogs within each group, and the top ten dogs within each breed. All dogs tying for a given position are listed.
Front & Finish® Rally Paragon’s Ratings
In 2018 we began publishing the Front & Finish® Rally Paragon’s Ratings. Paragon’s are those who exemplify excellence in competition and we believe that these exhibiting teams deserve recognition for their hard work. As well they provide a model for newer rally exhibitors. The Paragon’s of Rally is our system of recognizing those who earn multiple perfect scores in the sport. To earn a spot in this report exhibitors must 1) participate in AKC Rally competition during a given calendar year; 2) acquire three or more perfect scores within a division, and 3) acquire enough perfect scores to be listed in the top ten of their division. As in our other rating system we list all ties for a given ranking (1st through 10th). We provide reports on the following divisions: Rally Masters Class, Rally Excellent B Class, Rally Advanced B Class, Rally Intermediate Class, and Rally Novice B Class.