2023 AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP NOHS GROUP JUDGES
3. In your opinion, how does this show differ from other AKC events? What makes this show so special is the atmo- sphere you felt. Everything there is magic, even the Christmas decorations help to make it different and unique. Also, the size of the entries and the general quality, being the last show of the year, it’s amazing. 4. What were you thinking or feeling moments be - fore you stepped into the center of the NOHS Group ring? I was really looking forward to it. Very excited and, overall, really happy and thrilled. As I’d expected, there were some really good dogs to judge. 5. Was there a heightened energy coming from the dog and owner-handler teams? Did you feel the energy of the spectators? Definitively! There was such a positive and vibrant vibe! And the sportsmanship and, in general, the joy of being invited… you can definitively feel it. 6. How challenging was this assignment? Can you share your selection process? The quality was really good and that gave me the opportunity to judge on the breed-specific virtues and have choices to choose from. My judging pro- cess was the same as it is the way in which I’m used to doing it. 7. Do you have a word or two about your NOHS Group winner? About the dogs that placed? My Group winner was a Bullmastiff, GCHG CH RIDGETOP’N MARCONIAN’S AVENTA- DORATT. An outstanding representative of the breed; symmetrical, with great strength, stamina, and watchful, strongly built and active. My other placements: Second was the Samoyed, GCHG CH SNOWSHOE’S TRUE COLORS; Third was the Siberian Husky, GCHP CH MYLA’S DANCING BY THE BOOK; and Fourth was the Alaskan Mal- amute, GCHS CH SHEKINAH’S I SET FIRE TO THE REIGN. All of them were also excellent am- bassadors of their own breeds, and the decision was very difficult, as the quality of the dogs was so high. There were also many other breeds that would win and place in any other opportunity. “There was such a positive and vibrant vibe! And the sportsmanship and, in general, the joy of being invited… you can definitively feel it.”
The dogs that placed in the Group were all extremely wonderful represen- tatives of their breeds. They had excellent breed type, and form that was exceptionally fit for purpose. All of the breeders and owners of these dogs should be extremely proud. 8. Are there specific ways in which the NOHS furthers the cause of purebred dogs? People who participate in NOHS are writing a love letter to this sport. They work as hard as the people who are campaigning dogs for the Top Ten, even when they are not. They come to shows, week in and out, and through their support (both participatory and financially) we are able to continue to have excellent shows. The conditions of the NOHS Groups at the shows, however, don’t always reflect the amount of effort that these exhibitors are putting in to our sport, and that can be frustrating and even hurtful to these handlers. As they do better for us, we can do better for them. 9. A show of this magnitude is a monumental undertaking. Is there anything you’d like to say on behalf of the AKC and the show’s sponsors? As someone who has chaired Specialties before, I can’t even imagine the amount of work that goes on in order to put together the phenomenon that is the AKC show. We are so fortunate to have a group of sponsors that can see the vision behind this show. It really is the very best of what the AKC has to offer. 10. Now that it’s over, what are your thoughts on the 2023 show year? Any thoughts on the year ahead? I am so excited to see the young dogs and people who are coming up in our sport. The dedicated breeders who are the backbone of all of the AKC sports are doing a wonderful job of producing healthy, sound, beautiful dogs that we should all celebrate.
DR. JOHAN BECERRA-HERNANDEZ NOHS WORKING GROUP JUDGE
1. Can you describe your reaction to receiving an invitation to judge the National Owner-Han- dled Series Working Group at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin? I was very happy and truly hon- ored; it is such a magnificent op- portunity to be there as a judge and have the privilege to judge amazing breed representatives. 2. What does it mean to judge this singular event at the only all-breed show organized direct- ly by the American Kennel Club?
As stated in question #1, it is a fantastic show, and AKC does an amazing job. Everything runs so smoothly. It is so well organized that judging the Breeds and Group was pleasant and enjoyable.
186 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2024
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