The AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals Best in Show honors went to GCHB CH Rolyart’s Navigator @ Painted Sky Farms, a Welsh Springer Spaniel known affectionately as “Captain” owned and handled by Sharon Sherwood and bred by Cindy Ford and Shelley Traylor. The 2021 NOHS Finals Best in Show winner was crowned by judge Dr. Thomas M. Davies after intense canine competition at the AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, held on December 18th and 19th, 2021.
“The AKC National Owner-Handled Series Finals is such an exciting competition. It’s a wonderful celebration of the skill and dedication of each owner-handler,” said Guy Fisher, Manager, Club Development. “We’re thrilled to congratulate this year’s winner, and we’d like to thank all of the competitors and congratulate all those who qualified.
The top ten owner-handled dogs (plus ties) in each breed from the 2021 qualifying period were invited to compete in the Finals, and the 816 competitors entered represented 200 different breeds/varieties.
Group Winners
After winning their Best of Breed competitions, the following top dogs went on to win in their respective groups and compete for AKC National Owner-Handled Series Best in Show:
Sporting: GCHB CH Rolyart’s Navigator @ Painted Sky Farms, a Welsh Springer Spaniel known as “Captain” owned by Sharon Sherwood and bred by Cindy Ford and Shelley Traylor.
Hound: GCH DC Baha Bahrain Storm MC, a Saluki known as “Flash” owned by Dr Caroline Coile and bred by Betsy Cummings, Jamey Lambert and Dr Caroline Coile.
Working: GCH CH Spicerack’s Shotgun Rider CGCA TKN, a Giant Schnauzer known as “Flint” owned by Robin and Dwain Henderson and bred by Marcia Adler and Robin Henderson.
Terrier: GCH CH Kerifield Violets Are Blue, a Kerry Blue Terrier known as “Violet” owned by Virginia Harding, J Ramos and T Hernandez and bred by Virginia Harding, Jose Ramos, Thelmarys Hernandez and Jomarys Ramos.
Toy: GCHS CH Reh-Pin’s I Am Charmed For Cheristar, a Miniature Pinscher known as “Charm” owned by Cherie McDaniel and bred by Mary Silfies and Cherie McDaniel.
Non-Sporting: GCHG CH Anana’s Rhinestone Cowboy FDC CA BCAT CGCA TKN, an American Eskimo Dog known as “Stetson” owned by Susan and Larry Caltrider and Stephanie Strunk and bred by Stephanie Paulsen, Kathleen Strunk and Bonnie M Hammond Brown.
Herding: GCHB CH Nomads Troubadour CGC TKN, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi known as “Timber” owned by Lorraine and Nick Calautti and bred by Tina Latta and Danelle M Brown.