A rally course includes 10 to 20 stations, depending on the level. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience. Communication between handler and dog is encouraged and perfect heel position is not required, but there should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler. The main objective of rally is to produce dogs that have been trained to behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs, in a manner that will reflect positively on the sport of rally at all times and under all conditions.
Am I Eligible?
To be eligible to compete in AKC Rally trials, a dog must be:
- Registered with the AKC or listed with the AKC Indefinite Listing Privilege (ILP) program, or a Foundation Stock Service (FSS) recorded breed that meets the eligibility requirements for competition.
- 6 months of age or older.
Dogs of any breed recognized by the AKC that do not have registration papers or known parents may qualify for an Indefinite Listing Privilege (ILP). ILP dogs may participate in certain AKC events, such as obedience, agility, tracking, rally and many performance events. Photos are required to prove the dog is a registerable breed. The dog must be spayed or neutered. For more information about the ILP program, visit the ILP section on the AKC web site, or e-mail questions to ILP@akc.org.
How a Rally Trial Works
The official announcement of a club's event is called a premium list. It contains all relevant information regarding the trial, including date, location, classes offered, and judges - as well as an entry form. To enter a rally trial, the owner of the dog must submit an official AKC entry form, which can be found in the premium list or on the AKC website. The entry form should be sent to the trial secretary or superintendent of the trial. You may find rally trials in the AKC Event and Results Search. After the entries have closed, a program showing the schedule for the judging of each class will be mailed to you along with all relevant information about the trial.
Rally Signs
The signs may be any color and they include descriptions as well as directional arrows of exercises. Signs are numbered to make it easy to find the next station when navigating the course.
All signs are placed to the handler's right side. The signs are large enough to be easily recognized when going through a course. The exercises designated on the signs will be performed in close proximity to the sign itself, either in front, back of, or beside the sign.
Role of the judge
The judge must arrive one hour before judging in order to set up the course for the class. Judges are open to questions that the handlers may have regarding the course during the walk-through period.They must post a copy of the course at ringside so that the exhibitors know what to expect and where to go once they are in the ring. The judge must evaluate the performance of each exercise and the sense of teamwork between the dog and handler between the stations as stated in the AKC Rally Regulations.
The orders "Are you ready?" and "Forward" are given to each handler who enters the ring.
Levels of Competition
The three levels of competition in AKC Rally:
- Novice - this is the first level for those just getting started in competition.
- All exercises are performed with the dog on leash.
- There is a requirement of 10-15 stations to complete with no more than five stationary exercises.
- The exercises performed vary from turning 360 degrees to changing paces during the course.
- Exhibitors at this level may clap their hands and pat their legs through the course.
- Advanced - this is the second level, which includes more difficult exercises throughout the course.
- All exercises are performed off-leash.
- There is a requirement of 12-17 stations with no more than seven stationary exercises.
- Exercises include a jump as well as calling your dog to the front of you instead of to a heel position.
- Excellent - this third and highest level of AKC Rally is the most challenging.
- Exercises are performed off-leash except for the honor exercise.
- There is a requirement of 15-20 stations, with no more than 7 stationary exercises.
- Handlers are only allowed to encourage their dogs verbally. Physical encouragement is not allowed at this level.
- The Excellent-level exercises include backing up three steps, while the dog stays in the heel position and a moving stand, while the handler walks around the dog.
A qualifying performance indicates that the dog has performed the required exercises according to the AKC Rally Regulations. Each performance is timed, but times are only counted if two dogs earn the same score.
Qualifying Score
All dogs and handlers begin with a perfect 100. A dog and handler team is awarded a qualifying score if it retains at least 70 points after the course has been completed. Once the team has completed the course, their score will be posted ringside.
Awards
The colors for placement rosettes or ribbons are the same in all levels of classes.
First Place - Blue
Second Place - Red
Third Place - Yellow
Fourth Place - White
How do I get started in Rally?
Many AKC clubs conduct a variety of classes, instructed by experienced trainers who have earned titles and awards in obedience competitions with their own dogs. These people are up-to-date on the latest training techniques. They have experience training different breeds of dogs, mixed breeds and purebreds, and prospective students are usually welcome to observe a class before signing up for a training course.
When you attend a class with your dog, instructors will show you how to train your dog and will expect you to practice at home. The younger the dog, the shorter the practice sessions should be. For the best results, both you and your dog should enjoy frequent short sessions, combined with some play and rewards.
To find AKC clubs in your area that offer training, please visit our Training Resources section.
Tips for the First-time Exhibitor
- Register your dog with the AKC.
- Make sure that your dog is current on all inoculations and health check-ups.
- Visit the AKC website to find a training club.
- Attend training classes with your dog.
- Become familiar with the AKC Rally Regulations.
- Attend a rally trial and become familiar with ring procedures.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions from experienced exhibitors.
- Tips for the First-time Spectator
- However tempting, do not pet a dog without first asking for and receiving permission.
- Many rally trials have vendors and an information booth with helpful information for the general public.
- Arrive early and bring a chair! Rally often starts very early in the morning.
- If you have not yet purchased your dog, speak to exhibitors about their breeds to gain knowledge of the best dog for your family. Also, visit the "Future Dog Owners" section of the AKC website.
- If you bring a baby stroller to a rally trial, be careful not run over a dog's tail. Be sure your child respects the dogs and does not grab or poke at them. Some crowded trials forbid strollers.
The dogs must earn three qualifying scores under two different judges in order to receive a rally title. The titles that can be earned are:
- Rally Novice: RN
- Rally Advanced: RA
- Rally Excellent: RE
- Rally Advanced Excellent: RAE
- The requirement for the RAE title is that the dog must qualify ten times in both the Advanced B class and the Excellent B class at the same trial.
- Brisk - Keenly alive, alert, energetic.
- Course Design - A set of signs, previously arranged by the judge, that the dog and handler team will navigate for competition. Each class will have a different course design.
- Crowding - A dog that is so close to the handler as to interfere with the handler's freedom of motion.
- Gently - With kindness, without harshness or roughness.
- Leg - A term that is used frequently for a qualifying score.
- Natural - Not artificial; free of affectation; what is customarily expected in the home or public places.
- Qualifying Score - Minimum of 70 points out of a possible perfect score of 100.
- Station - Location of a sign providing instructions regarding the exercise that is to be performed.
- Timing -All dogs will be timed. Times will be used only in the event of ties for a placement.
- Walk-through - Handlers are permitted to walk the course, without a dog, prior to the start of the class to plan their strategy. The walk-through gives handlers an oppor-tunity to familiarize themselves with the signs and the course.
- Information about AKC Rally Trials
- Getting Started in Obedience, Agility, Tracking, and CGC" - Informative brochure which outlines the basics of getting started in AKC Companion Events.
- AKC Show Trial Manual - Manual designed to assist clubs in understanding the requirements, the paperwork, the personnel, and the many details that must be handled correctly to hold a successful trial.
- Rally Regulations, Rally Judges Guidelines, The Steward in Rally - A comprehensive booklet giving the regulations and guidelines for AKC Rally trials at which titles are earned. The AKC Obedience Regulations are also included in the same booklet.
