New York, NY – AKC Staff recently surveyed clubs, judges, exhibitors, and superintendents for their suggestions on how the American Kennel Club® (AKC®) can continue to enhance the experience of those hosting and participating in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS). The AKC Board of Directors listened to the feedback offered and adopted the following program updates at its recent July meeting.
Exhibitor Updates
The review of the NOHS resulted in three recommended program changes that were approved by the Board and will go into effect for the 2015 qualifying period (October 9, 2014). They include:
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Removing the limitation that dogs co-owned with a professional handler are not eligible to be exhibited in the NOHS. Professional handlers would still be prohibited from handling the dog in the NOHS. This rule change simply allows for situations such as a new exhibitor who co-owns their dog with a breeder that officially meets the definition of a professional handler. This new exhibitor would now be eligible to participate in the NOHS.
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Changing the definition of professional handler to add “within the last five years” at the end. With this update, fanciers who handled (for pay) other people’s dogs, or on occasion for a friend, would be able to compete in the NOHS after a term of five years. 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.
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Automatically marking all entries from the Amateur-Owner-Handler class as eligible for the AKC NOHS. This change was made to widen the pool of eligibility into the NOHS and to lessen the confusion between the class and the special attraction.
Club Updates
In addition, the Board has amended its NOHS policy for clubs, which will go into effect for the 2015 qualifying period (October 9, 2014). They include:
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All-Breed and Group Clubs that hold at least two shows per year and offer a special attraction with group competition must offer the NOHS at a minimum of 50% of their shows in the calendar year.
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The NOHS does not have to be offered at the same show as the special attraction with group competition.
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Any All-Breed or Group Club that holds only one show per year is not required to hold an NOHS competition in order to hold another special attraction with group competition.
If you have any additional questions about the program updates, please contact eventnews@akc.org.
New York, NY AKC Staff recently surveyed clubs, judges, exhibitors, and superintendents for…