F&F Ratings℠ Info
Recognizing Excellence in AKC Obedience & Rally Competition
Front & Finish™ publishes nationally respected rankings that celebrate the achievements of AKC Obedience and Rally teams competing throughout the calendar year. F&F Ratings℠ provide meaningful recognition of performances and are widely used by clubs and training organizations when honoring exhibitors at annual awards events.
All of our annual ratings provide breakdowns in three divisions:
In addition to our annual ratings, Front & Finish™ publishes additional national recognitions that are presented as comprehensive listings and honor rolls rather than subdivided rankings. All ties are recognized and are included in our results.
Commitment to Accuracy
Front & Finish™ maintains comprehensive competitive performance data through multiple rating reports and recognition systems. Due to the breadth of these tabulations, exhibitors may occasionally seek clarification regarding how their dog’s results are represented. To request review of a dog’s rating record, exhibitors must complete the F&F Ratings℠ Review Form available on this website. Each request is carefully evaluated, and exhibitors will be notified of the outcome. In some cases, verification will require submission of an official AKC Points and Awards Report. To help expedite the review process, exhibitors are encouraged to obtain and submit this report at the time their request is filed. To obtain an AKC Points and Awards Report:
- Visit the AKC Reports page at: http://www.akc.org/store/reports/index.cfm
- Order the official Points and Awards Report.
- Save the report as a PDF and submit it via email to: dogs@frontandfinish.com
Corrections & Publication Policy
Beginning in 2026, Front & Finish™ transitioned its rating system reports to a digital publication format on their website. This advancement allows our competitive Obedience and Rally rating reports to be distributed more quickly and maintained with greater accuracy than was possible through our monthly magazine issues. Since the new website format provides live data, this advancement also allows us to make corrections to which was not possible with the reports that were published in our monthly “pdf” issues.
When a correction is verified, Front & Finish™ will:
Front & Finish
Obedience Ratings
F&F First & Foremost Ratings℠
The First & Foremost Rating System℠ was the first ranking system published by Front & Finish™. It was originally developed by Mrs. Nancy Schuman. Nancy’s husband, Bob, was a computer technician at a time when punch cards and dot matrix printers were the norm. He worked with countless volunteers who collected the data, which he then compiled into a printout used to publish the annual report.
The First & Foremost Rating System℠ recognize the performances of all dog/handler teams earning strong qualifying scores in AKC Obedience competition. Teams achieving qualifying scores of 170 or higher in Open and Utility classes are eligible for ranking. Novice class performances are not included in this system and are recognized separately. Points are awarded by comparing each qualifying score to a standardized point table designed to account for variations in judging. Dogs must accumulate a minimum of eight points during the competition year to be eligible for listing.
F&F Delaney Ratings℠
The Delaney Ratings compare performances of dogs competing in AKC Obedience. This system was originally devised by Mr. Kent Delaney, a highly respected obedience and breed judge. The philosophy of the Delaney Ratings is that the highest-placing dog/handler teams represent the strongest competitive performances. Accordingly, rankings include only dogs placing first through fourth in Open and Utility classes. Novice class performances are not included. Among placing dogs, one point is earned for each dog defeated within the class. For example, in a class of twenty competitors, first place earns 19 points, second earns 18, third earns 17, and fourth earns 16. Dogs must defeat a minimum of five other dogs during the competition year to be eligible for listing.
F&F Open A Ratings℠
The Open A Ratings recognize dogs earning qualifying scores of 170 or higher in Open A classes during the competition year. Points are awarded according to the First & Foremost Ratings point table, which accounts for variations in judging. Dogs must accumulate a minimum of eight points during the year to be eligible for listing.
F&F Novice A&B Ratings℠
The Novice A&B Ratings recognize dogs earning qualifying scores of 170 or higher in Novice A and Novice B classes during the competition year. Points are awarded according to the First & Foremost Ratings point table. Dogs must accumulate a minimum of eight points during the year to be eligible for listing.
F&F Top 100 Dogs℠
The Top 100 Dogs listing recognizes the highest-ranking dog/handler teams placing in AKC Obedience trials during the competition year. Points are awarded for placements of first through fourth in Open and Utility classes. Novice class performances are not included. One point is earned for each dog defeated within the class. Rankings are determined by total points accumulated during the year.
F&F High In Trial Listing℠
This listing recognizes dogs and handlers earning one or more High In Trial awards at AKC Obedience trials during the competition year.
A High In Trial award is earned by achieving the highest overall score from any class at a trial. Rankings are determined by the number of High In Trial awards earned.
F&F High Combined Listing℠
This listing recognizes dogs and handlers earning one or more High Combined awards at AKC Obedience trials during the competition year.
A High Combined award is earned by achieving the highest combined total score from the Open and Utility classes at a trial. Rankings are determined by the number of High Combined awards earned.
Front & Finish
Rally Ratings
F&F Rally Master Ratings℠
The Rally Master Ratings rank dogs competing in AKC Rally Obedience who place first through fourth in Rally Master classes during the competition year. One point is earned for each dog defeated within a class. For example, in a class of twenty competing dogs, first place earns 19 points, second earns 18 points, third earns 17 points, and fourth earns 16 points. Points earned in each class are compiled across the competition year to determine rankings.
F&F Rally Combined Ratings℠
The Rally Combined Ratings rank dogs competing in AKC Rally Obedience who place first through fourth in Rally Advanced A & B and Rally Excellent A & B classes during the competition year. One point is earned for each dog defeated within a class. For example, in a class of twenty competing dogs, first place earns 19 points, second earns 18 points, third earns 17 points, and fourth earns 16 points. Points earned in each class are compiled across the competition year to determine rankings.
F&F Rally Advanced A Ratings℠
The Rally Advanced A Ratings rank dogs competing in AKC Rally Obedience who place first through fourth in Rally Advanced A classes during the competition year. One point is earned for each dog defeated within a class. For example, in a class of twenty competing dogs, first place earns 19 points, second earns 18 points, third earns 17 points, and fourth earns 16 points. Points earned in each class are compiled across the competition year to determine rankings.
F&F Rally Novice Ratings℠
The Rally Novice Ratings rank dogs competing in AKC Rally Obedience who place first through fourth in Rally Novice A and B classes during the competition year. One point is earned for each dog defeated within a class. For example, in a class of twenty competing dogs, first place earns 19 points, second earns 18 points, third earns 17 points, and fourth earns 16 points. Points earned in each class are compiled across the competition year to determine rankings.
F&F Rally Paragons Ratings℠
The Rally Paragons Ratings recognize dog/handler teams demonstrating exceptional achievement through repeated perfect scores in AKC Rally competition. Introduced in 2018, this recognition honors teams whose performances exemplify excellence in the sport and serve as a model for newer exhibitors. To be eligible for this listing, exhibitors must:
Paragon reports are published for each of the following five divisions:
