Obedience titles:
CD: Companion Dog- The letters CD may be added after a dog's name when it has been certified by three
different judges to have received qualifying scores (legs) in Novice classes at three licensed or member obedience trials.
AKC and Canada would be: dogs name CD or Can CD. UKC has the title before the dogs name, so it would
be: U-CD and then the dogs name.
CDX: Companion Dog Excellent- The letters CDX may be added after the name of each dog that has been
certified by three different judges to have received qualifying scores (legs) in Open classes at three licensed or member
obedience trials. Again the title is after the name in AKC and Canada. It would look like this: dogs name CDX or Can CDX. The
title is before the name in UKC and would look like this: U-CDX dogs name.
UD: Utility Dog- The utility dog title (UD) is earned the same way as the CD or CDX titles. You
again need three quailfying scores (legs) at three licensed or member obedience trials under three different judges.
It is also placed in the same places as the other titles. AKC and Canada: dogs name UD or Can UD. UKC: U-UD dogs name.
OTCH: Obedience Trial Champion- Championship points will be recorded for dogs that have earned the Utility
Dog Title. When a dog earns the Obedience Trial Champion title, it may continue to compete and earn points.
Championship points will be recorded for those dogs which have earned a First, Second, Third, or Fourth
place ribbon competing in the Open B or Utility B class according to the schedule of points established by the Board of Directors
of The American Kennel Club.
The American Kennel Club will permit the use of the letters OTCH preceding the name of each dog that meets
the requirements.
UDX: Utility Dog Excellent- To earn a Utility Dog Excellent title, the dog must have received quailfying
scores in both Open B and Utility B at 10 separate licensed or member obedience trials. The UDX title is after the dogs
name.
Note: Most of the information under Obedience Titles came out of the AKC booklet: Obedience Regulations.
Some other information was known by the web site manager. There may be more information or updated information at the different
Kennel Club(s) web sites. Always get a Rules Book before you decide to show. I do not know what the rules are or if the other
Kennel Clubs have the OTCH or UDX titles.
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.
- Title = RN
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.
- Title = RA
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.
- Title = RE
