AKC National Owner-Handled Series Q & A

General

1. What is the purpose of the AKC National Owner-Handled Series?
To recognize and showcase the quality dogs being exhibited by owner/handlers and to provide a venue for the owner/handlers to compete against their peers. The determination of the awards in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series is based solely on the quality of the entry. The owner/handler’s handling ability is not of consideration.

2. How do I enter the AKC National Owner-Handled Series competition?
The entry form now has an Owner-Handled eligible “check box” located below the lines for signature and telephone number. If you are eligible and interested in participating in the Series at an event, you must check the box on the entry form prior to the closing of the event. When entering an event using online services, check with that organization for instructions on how to enter the Series. There is no additional fee required to enter this competition.

3. How do I find a show that offers AKC National Owner-Handled Series competition?
Shows offering the AKC National Owner-Handled Series shows can be found using the Event & Results Search.

4. When and where will the end of year competition be held?
The end of year competition for the AKC National Owner-Handled Series will be held in conjunction with the AKC National Championship. Dogs that finished ranked in the top ten (plus ties) for their breed for the current qualifying period will be allowed to compete in the competition. The qualifying period for each year is from September through the following September. Please check the National Owner-Handled Series Rankings page for the current year’s dates.

5. Is the AKC National Owner-Handled Series the same thing as the Amateur-Owner-Handler Class?
No, the Amateur-Owner-Handler Class is a regular class and the winner of this class will compete in the Winners Class for AKC Championship points. The AKC National Owner-Handled Series is a special attraction that selects an Owner-Handled dog from all eligible dogs in the Best of Breed ring including the Winners Dog or Bitch. However, no points towards a championship will be awarded in the Series. Dogs entered in the Amateur-Owner-Handler class are automatically eligible to compete in the National Owner Handler Series on that day.

Eligibility

6. Since AKC National Owner-Handled Series competition occurs in the Best of Breed ring, how can Owner-Handled class dogs compete?
Eligible class dogs that are selected Winners Dog or Winners Bitch are included in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series judging.

7. Can I change handlers during competition?
Dogs must be handled by an owner/handler eligible for the AKC National Owner-Handled Series throughout the breed level competition for the point show. This includes the class competition and subsequent competition in the breed ring. Additionally, dogs must be handled by an eligible* owner/handler for all AKC National Owner-Handled Series competition. If the replacement handler is an eligible owner/handler for that dog a change can occur. Any person can show the dog in the regular group and Best In Show competitions.  To be an eligible owner, a person must be an owner of record according to AKC’s records on the day of the event and not be a professional handler.

8. Can a professional handler’s spouse or child exhibit a dog in this competition?
No, household members and current assistants to professional handlers in conformation are not eligible to exhibit in this competition. Current assistants that are eligible to compete in Junior Showmanship may participate in NOHS.  A current assistant is defined as anyone employed by a professional handler on a full-time basis, or, assisting a professional handler at the show or any show during the cluster/weekend. Eligibility restrictions apply to all members of the same household.

9. I have shown dogs for friends and was given money to cover my travel expenses. Am I now ineligible?
You may compete in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series as long as you are not a professional handler as described here. Any type of remuneration associated with the service of handling a dog in the conformation ring meets the definition of a professional handler in regards to eligibility for the AKC National Owner-Handled Series.  The reimbursement of travel expenses only  (Ex: gas, food, hotel, etc.) would not classify a person as a professional handler, rendering them ineligible for the AKC National Owner-Handled Series.

10. Can a professional handler co-own a dog in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series competition?
Yes, dogs can be co-owned by a professional handler or members of their household (as described here) and be exhibited in this competition as long as the professional handler or household member does not exhibit the dog during eligible competition (see question 7). Eligibility restrictions apply to all members of the same household.

11. If the Select Bitch is eligible for NOHS is my Winners Bitch still eligible for further AKC National Owner-Handled Series competition?
Yes, unless the Best of Winners was awarded to an eligible Winners Dog.

12. My friend handles several dogs for people. Is she allowed to enter and compete in this series?
Yes, as long as your friend is not a professional handler as described here.

13. Are judges allowed to compete in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series?
Yes, if they have not worked as a professional handler within the last five years as described here.

14. How do I protest an ineligible exhibitor who competes in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series?
Speak with the AKC Executive Field Representative in attendance or send signed protests with supporting documentation that an exhibitor was ineligible to the address below. Included in the protest must be the name of the ineligible exhibitor, the dog(s) they have shown in the Series, and supporting documentation. AKC Attn: Event Records PO Box 900051 Raleigh, NC 27675-9051

15. If a dog fails to compete in the NOHS Group or NOHS BIS ring, will their NOHS awards for the event be cancelled?
No, because the NOHS is a special attraction, there is not a requirement to continue to compete at the show.

16. If a dog is “cut” or “defeated” during the Best of Breed competition, is it ineligible to compete in the NOHS competition for the breed?
A dog being “cut” or otherwise “defeated” in the Best of Breed ring remains eligible to compete in the NOHS. The NOHS Best of Breed will be selected from the eligible exhibits based on the program guidelines and procedures.

17. If a dog receives an Award of Merit (AOM), are the other eligible dogs in the ring considered eliminated for the purposes of determining Owner-Handled Best of Breed/Variety?
No, the other dogs in the ring are not eliminated by any dog(s) receiving an Award of Merit (AOM).   The AOM is a club award which the criteria for awarding are determined by each individual club.  Since the AOM is not an AKC award and the criteria varies from club to club these dogs are not considered to have eliminated any dogs in the Best of Breed/Variety ring for the purposes of determining Owner-Handled Best of Breed/Variety.  The judging procedures for determining Owner-Handled Best of Breed/Variety for the NOHS can be found here.

18. If a dog is marked eligible for NOHS competition, can a professional handler exhibit the dog at the show?
If a professional handler exhibits a dog in breed, NOHS group, or NOHS Best in Show competition all NOHS awards at the event are subject to cancellation. A professional handler can exhibit an NOHS-eligible dog in regular group and regular Best in Show competition. Additionally, a professional handler may be able to exhibit the dog in other competitions at the event such as Rally, Obedience, Agility, etc. as per the rules and regulations of those sports.

19. Can Junior Handlers participate in the NOHS competition?
Junior Handlers eligible for Junior Showmanship (under 18years of age) that meet the amateur status requirements on the day may participate in NOHS.

20. If I prepare a dog(s) I own or co-own for the ring and one or more of the dogs are shown by a professional at an event, am I eligible to show in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS)?
If you are only preparing (grooming, exercising, etc.) dogs you own or co-own, you are not considered as ineligible for NOHS as described here.

21. If I prepare a dog(s) I own or co-own for the ring and I am a member of the same household as a professional, am I eligible to show in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS)?
If you are only preparing (grooming, exercising, etc.) dogs you own or co-own, you are not considered as ineligible for NOHS as described here.

Judging

22. What are the qualifications required to judge the AKC National Owner-Handled Series Groups?
Effective April 1,2017 any judge approved (including permit judges) for at least one AKC breed in that group may judge the AKC National Owner-Handled Series.  Additionally, any judge that is approved (including permit judges) for an entire group, is eligible to judge any NOHS Group. Approved for an entire group means a judge is approved for all the breeds in the group.

23. Can a judge steward and judge an NOHS Group on the same day?
If the judge’s only NOHS assignment is an NOHS Group(s) and/or NOHS BIS, they may exhibit in the regular competition on the day(s) they judge but may not compete in NOHS at the same show, circuit, cluster, or weekend of shows they judge.

24. Can the same person judge all seven NOHS Groups and BIS?
Effective April 1, 2017 the same individual cannot judge all NOHS groups.

Clubs

25. Can AKC National Owner-Handled Series competition be offered at specialty and group shows?
Any conformation event may offer the NOHS. This includes independent, concurrent, designated, and evening specialties.

26. Recent Board policy allows clubs to hold the most common special attractions without applying for them. Why does a club have to notify the AKC that they are offering the NOHS?
Clubs must notify AKC so the events offering NOHS can receive free promotional support from AKC. In addition to listing the NOHS on the AKC website and the Weekly Wins email, the AKC will email potential exhibitors in the area information about the club’s event. These emails are sent two and five weeks prior to the event closing date.

27. Is there still a limit on the number of special attractions with competition that can be offered at an event?
There are limitations when more than one all-breed and/or group show is held on the same date and site. There should also be consideration given to the length of the show day when considering multiple special attractions, especially those that include group judging. The AKC Event Operations staff can assist with specific questions.

Regulations

28. Why were NOHS Regulations created?

Exhibitors wanted more consistency in the execution of NOHS at event and regulations have the benefit of being enforceable.  Best practices are guidelines but not enforceable. 

29. Can a judge be assigned the Sporting Group on Saturday and the NOHS Sporting Group on Sunday?

Yes, judges can be assigned to do the same regular and NOHS Group over the course of a weekend/cluster/circuit.  The new NOHS changes do not allow a judge to be assigned the same regular & NOHS Group on the same day.

30. Why was my event’s judging panel approved and now it is not?

Judging panels that were approved may now be in a pending status because of the changes to the NOHS judging panel requirements.  Clubs that had a panel that was impacted by these changes, should have received an email notification from AKC stating which assignments were in conflict.  If your club needs assistance making changes to your judges panel please contact your Event Plans Representative directly or call (919) 816-3579 or email eventplans@akc.org.

31.  Can a judge on permit status for a breed judge the NOHS Group that breed is a part of?

Yes, a judge that is approved (permit or regular status) to judge a breed can judge the NOHS Group that breed belongs to.

32. Why was the requirement which restricts a judge from being assigned to the breed, NOHS Group, and NOHS Best in Show at an event added to the NOHS changes?

This change was modeled after the policy for regular assignments in order to avoid the appearance of a single individual awarding a dog Best of Breed/Variety Owner-Handled, NOHS Group 1, & NOHS Best in Show at the same event.  A judge can be assigned to two of the three levels but not all three at the same event.  An example would be, Judge A can be assigned to judge Beaucerons (Best of Breed Owner-Handled) and the NOHS Herding Group but not NOHS Best in Show at the event. 

33. How can a small show with a limited number of judges on their panel still offer NOHS under the new NOHS judging panel regulations?

If a small show is offering two days of all-breed events and has only 4 judges on their panel, they can still offer NOHS both days without hiring additional judges: