AKC National Owner-Handled Series
Did you know that more than 80% of show dogs are handled by their owners? The AKC National Owner-Handled Series celebrates the dedication and enthusiasm of owner-handler exhibitors and allows them to compete head-to-head against one another in the conformation ring.
NOHS Information
The AKC National Owner-Handled Series is a non-titling competition for dogs that are exhibited by their owners that are not professional handlers.
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Exhibitors must declare their dog is Owner-Handled eligible at the time of entry on the entry form.
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Dogs entered in the Amateur-Owner-Handler class will automatically be marked as eligible to compete in the NOHS.
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Eligible dogs will be identified by an asterisk in the judge’s book, steward’s book & the catalog. Dogs must be handled throughout the breed level competition for the regular show by an eligible owner.
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Professional handlers*, household members and current assistants** to professional handlers may not exhibit the dog in any NOHS competition during the entire show.
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For a detailed description of the National Owner-Handled Series, please visit the AKC website NOHS pages at: https://www.akc.org/sports/conformation/national-owner-handled-series/
*Professional 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.
**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 time during the cluster/weekend. Current assistants that are eligible to compete in Junior Showmanship (meet age & amateur status requirements) may participate in NOHS.