Owner-Handled Optimism Amateur Exhibitors Hope for the ‘Best’ ARTICLE BY DAN SAYERS I t used to be said that dog shows are the only sport where
According to the AKC, more than 80 percent of American show dogs are taken into the ring by their owner-handlers. This figure represents a lot of competitive people. “The pur- pose of the AKC National Owner-Handled Series is to recog- nize and showcase the quality dogs being exhibited by own- er-handlers and to provide a venue for the owner-handlers to compete against their peers,” instructs the AKC. Participation in the program has helped to maintain (or increase) entries at those shows where the series has been offered. The offer of additional trophies and rosettes has proven irresistible to many owner-handlers around the country. Although it’s the dogs that are rewarded and not the exhibitors, it’s important for owner-handlers to maintain their amateur status while competing in the program. Partici- pants must be mindful not to jeopardize their amateur status by receiving payment for services rendered in the ring. “Any type of remuneration associated with the service of handling a dog in the conformation ring meets the definition of a pro- fessional handler in regards to eligibility for the AKC National Owner-Handled Series,” according to the AKC. “Compensa- tion for expenses outside of the conformation ring does not meet this definition.” Owner-handlers who show dogs for family and friends should be compensated for their efforts only through gifts of a lunch or dinner and a full tank of gas. ENTRY IS BY ELIGIBILITY Any exhibitor may compete in the NOHS provided he or she is not a professional handler or a member of a profession- al handler’s household. As characterized by the AKC, “Profes- sional handlers are defined as any person who belongs or has belonged to a professional handlers’ organization, distributed rate cards, or otherwise advertised or represented themselves as handling dogs for pay within the last five years.” Assistants may compete with their dog in the NOHS provided they are a genuine Junior Handler as well. As recorded in the April 9-10, 2018 AKC Board Minutes, “Current assistants that are eligible to compete in Junior Showmanship (meet age and amateur status requirements) may compete in NOHS.” Any dog that is co-owned by a professional handler or a member of his or her household is also eligible to compete in the series, pro- vided the professional handler or household member doesn’t handle the dog during the breed level competition for that point show. Dogs that are eligible to compete in the NOHS must be entered accordingly for each show where the series is offered. These events are identified on the club’s premium list club’s where an eligibility “check box” appears beneath
amateurs compete head-to-head with the professionals. Though this statement is still true, today’s amateur owner-handlers can also enter their dogs in contests that exclude participation by paid professionals. Since 2012, the AKC Nation- al Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) has pro-
vided bonafide owner-handlers—a designation that’s strictly defined—the opportunity to compete for Group and Best in Show wins without going head-to-head with seasoned pros. The series has increased entries at most show-giving clubs where the competition has been offered and bolstered sup- port for a sport that depends on individual entries to sustain itself. However, some critics have suggested the program’s success has created a two-tier system that rewards owner- handled dogs as second-class citizens. Time will tell whether the series proves to be a time-tested tradition or a short-term solution. In the meantime, owner-handled dogs have given their handlers every reason to feel optimistic. The NOHS is a competitive forum that allows dogs that are owner-handled to compete only against other dogs that are owner-handled. The series is intended to celebrate the caliber of the canine, not the merits of its owner-handler. Although the distinction may seem obvious, some partici- pants have gotten into the habit of referring to the series as an “owner-handler” competition. This is not the case. Unlike Junior Showmanship, the NOHS does not instruct judges to evaluate the competency of the handler. Instead, they are to consider how closely each dog conforms with its breed standard, just as they do in the regular classes and for Best of Breed. As stated on the AKC website, “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.” IT’S OWNER-HANDLED, NOT OWNER-HANDLER
“THE SERIES IS INTENDED TO CELEBRATE THE CALIBER OF THE CANINE, NOT THE MERIT OF ITS OWNER-HANDLER.”
182 • S how S ight M agazine , O ctober 2018
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