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205 Class Divisions
Prepared by Linda Siekert
Obedience is divided into three classes, Novice, Open and Utility. Rally is divided into three similar classes, Novice, Advance and Excellent.
In both, the AKC classes are further divided into subclasses "A" and "B" based on the handlers experience and/or the dog's current titles. UKC has a Novice "C" obedience class, where an exhibitor, once the title is earned, can show indefinitely.
Novice A is reserved for true neophytes; dogs who have never earned any obedience title (obedience restriction), obedience or Rally title (Rally restriction) and must be owned/co-owned by a handler who has never earned an obedience or Rally title on any dog. Novice B is for everyone else.
Open A and Utility A classes are for dogs who have not earned the respective class title or exhibitors who have never trained or handled a dog that has earned an Obedience Trial Championship (OTCH); dogs must also be owned or co-owned by the handler. Exhibitors who have earned an OTCH, those who Judge Obedience and Rally, or exhibitors showing a dog they do not own may only show in the Open B or Utility B classes.
In Rally Advance and Excellent the handlers experience is irrelevant, it is the dogs’ titles that determine whether or not it can be entered in A or B.
Once a title is earned, any exhibitor who wishes to continue to show at a specific level may do so, in the B classes, indefinitely. The only exceptions are: in Obedience once a dog earns its title and wins High Scoring Dog in Regular Classes (aka High in Trial) from the Novice B obedience class it can no longer show in Novice. In Rally once a leg has been earned in the Advance class the dog can not return to the Novice level.
Though handlers in formal obedience are not allowed to talk to their dogs except to give a command or between exercises, and even then it should be kept rather low key to avoid penalty, Rally handlers are allowed to talk, encourage, and cajole their dogs throughout; however as one gets into the higher classes the amount of allowable encouragement decreases so it is best not to rely too heavily on hand or arm cues (such as clapping, patting ones leg) and/or verbal cues, especially if you plan to go on to regular obedience later.
All regular obedience or Rally classes are successive; you start in Novice and work your way through the more advanced classes only after having fulfilled the requirements of the previous class.
Novice Classes
Obedience Novice is the first regular obedience class and involves 6 exercises: Heel on Leash and Figure 8, Stand for Exam, Heel Free (off leash), Recall, Long Sit and Long Down – a one minute sit stay and three minute down stay respectively with handlers across the ring.
Rally Novice is also the first class of Rally. All Rally Novice exercises are done on leash. The Novice class must have between 10-15 Novice level stations with a minimum of three of those stations being stationary exercises.
Open/Advance Classes
Obedience Open is the second regular obedience class. Open exercises are: Heel Free (off leash) and Figure 8, Drop on Recall, Retrieve on Flat, Retrieve Over High Jump, Broad Jump, Long Sit and Long Down – with the owner out of the dogs sight for three and five minutes respectively.
In Open A the exercises are done in the exact order listed above, in Open B the exercises are mixed up in a variety of ways, but must include each exercise only once.
All Rally Advance exercises are done off leash. The Advance class must have between 12-17 stations with a minimum of three, a maximum of five of those stations being stationary exercises. Also needed are at least three stations from the Advance level including one jump.
Utility/Excellent Classes
Obedience Utility is the last regular obedience class. Utility exercises are: Signal Exercise, Scent Discrimination Article #1, Scent Discrimination Article #2, Directed Retrieve, Moving Stand and Examination, and Directed Jumping. In Utility A the exercises are done in the order listed above, in Utility B the exercises are mixed and matched in a variety of ways, but must include each exercise only once.
Rally Excellent is the last Rally class and like Advance all exercises are done off leash with the exception of the honor exercise which is done at the end of a 6 foot leash. The Excellent class must have between 15-20 stations with a minimum of three, a maximum seven of those stations being stationary exercises. Also needed are at least three with a maximum of seven stations from the Advance level, two from the Excellent level and must include two jumps.
Optional Titling Classes
In July 2010 the AKC began offering, at the sanctioned clubs discretion, four new optional titling obedience classes. They are:
Beginner Novice (BN) – All exercises are done on leash and there are no group exercises. Exercises are: Heel on Leash, Figure 8, Sit for Exam, Sit Stay and the Recall. Unlike regular obedience, the judge does not call the novice heel pattern; instead rally signs are used for the exhibitor to follow. The first basenji to gain this title was Am & Can Ch. Eldorado's Made You Look MC LCX RE BN GRC CGC TDI TT MVB in 2010.
Graduate Novice (GN) – All exercises are done off leash. The exercises are: Heel Free and Figure 8, Drop on Recall, Dumbbell Recall, Recall Over High Jump, Recall Over Broad Jump, and the Long Down, for a three minute out of sight stay.
Graduate Open (GO) – Exercises are: Signals, Scent Discrimination, Directed Retrieve, Moving Stand and Examination, Go Out and Directed Jumping.
Versatility (VER) – Exercises are: Novice Exercise No. 1, Novice Exercise No. 2, Open Exercise No. 1, Open Exercise No. 2, Utility Exercise No. 1, and Utility Exercise No. 2. There are 12 combinations possible comprising of these 6 exercises. The judge will not divulge which combination will be used any earlier than 45 minutes prior to the start of the class.
Unlike regular obedience, these optional titling classes are not successive, to mean you do not have to have your Beginner Novice (BN) title to enter or earn your Graduate Novice (GN) title, GN for your Graduate Open (GO), etc. An exhibitor can also be entered in both a regular and non regular class at the same trial.
Non-Regular Rally Classes
There are several non-regular Rally Classes which are described in the AKC Rally Rule Book. The following two classes are ones basenji fanciers have perhaps seen at a national or regional specialty.
Rally Pairs – One handler will navigate two dogs at the same time through the course. The course can be Novice (on leash), Advance or Excellent (off leash). The scoring would be similar to regular Rally classes.
Judy Lange with her Rally Pair
Rally Relay – Each team is comprised of three dogs/handlers, with a fourth on standby as an alternate if necessary. All exercises are performed on leash. The Relay course will be created from the Rally Novice exercises and will consist of 15 or 16 stations. The members of the team will wait near their assigned stations for the pass of the baton. The first dog and handler team perform the first five stations on the course while carrying a small baton. The second dog and handler team performs the fifth station in tandem with the first team as the baton is passed, and the second team then performs stations six through ten. The third team performs the tenth station in tandem with the second team as the baton is passed, and the third team then performs the rest of the stations, finishing the course. This class will be judged and scored as in the Rally Novice class.
NEXT: Exercises Return to Course #205 Obedience and Rally
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