The National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals took place on December 16 in Orlando, FL, as part of the AKC National Championship, Presented by Royal Canin. This year, 874 dogs competed, narrowed down into Best in Groups and then Best in Show at the NOHS Finals. The top 10 owner-handled dogs in each breed were invited to compete in the finals, with a total of 209 breeds and varieties represented.
After owner-handled dogs were chosen in each breed group, the top dog was awarded Best in Show by Mr. Dennis B. Sprung. This year, two Junior Handlers took home not only Best in Show, but also Reserve Best in Show. This is the first time that two Juniors have been awarded NOHS Best in Show and Reserve Best in Show.
NOHS Best in Show
In the 2023 National Owner-Handled Series Finals, Best in Show was awarded to Junior Handler, 14-year-old Adam Kucera. Kucera owned and handled Irish Setter “Stryker” GCHB CH Kinloch So There!. Stryker was bred by Patty and Mike Fanelli.
NOHS Reserve Best in Show
The 2023 National Owner-Handled Series Finals Reserve Best in Show was also awarded to a Junior Handler: 15-year-old Savanna Michalak. Michalak won with her owned and handled Australian Shepherd, “Hawk” GCHS CH Serendipity Collinswood Kestrel CGCA CGCU TKN ATT. Hawk was bred by Clare Cox, Terri K. Collins, and Erin Aufox.
NOHS Group Winners
Herding Group
Call Name: Hawk
Registered Name: GCHS CH Serendipity Collinswood Kestrel CGCA CGCU TKN ATT
Breed: Australian Shepherd
Owned By: Savanna Michalak
Bred By: Clare Cox, Terri K Collins, and Erin Aufox
Hound Group
Call Name: Hazel
Registered Name: GCH CH Sobers Hazelyn
Breed: Greyhound
Owned By: Armando Sobrado, W Santiago, and Bitte Ahrens
Bred By: Bitte Ahrens
Non-Sporting Group
Call Name: Piper
Registered Name: GCHP CH Paintabull I’m the Pied Piper CGC TKN
Breed: Bulldog
Owned By: Phyllis Portera
Bred By: Phyllis Portera and Greg Rodgers
Sporting Group
Call Name: Stryker
Registered Name: GCHB CH Kinloch So There!
Breed: Irish Setter
Owned By: Linda Layfield & Adam Kucera
Bred By: Patty and Mike Fanelli
Terrier Group
Call Name: Frankie
Registered Name: GCHB CH Grabo Frankie Goes To Magor
Breed: Bull Terrier
Owned By: Sarah Byzewski
Bred By: Grace S. Thomas and Robert K Thomas
Toy Group
Call Name: Zeke
Registered Name: GCHS CH Landd Shooting Star
Breed: Papillon
Ownered By: Deedy and Larry Sorenson, and Paige Fink
Bred By: Linda Knight
Working Group
Call Name: Hugo
Registered Name: GCHG CH Ridgetop’N Marconian’s Aventador ATT
Breed: Bullmastiff
Owned By: Olga Contant & Ronie Whittall & Galina Taylor
Bred By: Olga Contant, Rene A Contant, Galina Taylor