Page 184 - ShowSight - July 2019

Pride of Ownership: NOHS Boosts Entries BY DAN SAYERS continued
“...the NOHS Groups are no less competitive than the ‘regular’ Groups.
IN FACT, THE SERIES CAN BE EVERY BIT AS REWARDING, ESPECIALLY FOR THE EXPERIENCED OWNER-HANDLER.”
However, Greater Kingsport offers reserved parking for $35.00 per night and air-condi- tioned grooming space for $15.00 per day or $25.00 for the weekend. Additionally, entry for spectators is free. The show’s site is easily accessible from Interstate 81 which begins at the Canadian border in New York State and terminates in nearby Dandridge, Tennessee, at the intersection of Interstate 40. I-40 is a major East-West highway that connects Barstow, California, with Wilm- ington, North Carolina. Perhaps this might explain why fanciers from 29 states, includ- ing California and Hawaii, decided to enter their dogs at a show in the Blue Ridge Mountains. A couple of Canadian dogs were entered too, as was a single exhibit from China. Of course, the judging panel can have a dramatic effect on entries as well. This year’s panel included Polly Smith, Robert Slay, Dr. Gareth Morgan-Jones and Bradley Jenkins. Lloyd Grazer, Jr. drew an entry of 28 Australian Cattle Dogs on Sat- urday as did John D. Arvin in Whippets.
An examination of the NOHS entries at Greater Kingsport makes for interest- ing study. Since the Cattle Dog parent club supported the entry, it’s not surprising that the NOHS entry in this breed was the weekend’s largest. Nearly two-thirds (18 of 26) of the Cattle Dog entry was eligible to compete in the NOHS, though not every dog was eligible on both days. Likewise, two-thirds (12 of 18) of the Pug entry was eligible, as was almost half (12 of 27) of the entry in Whippets. Other breeds in which the NOHS entry was in double digits were the Schipperke (10 of 13) and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi (10 of 22). Percentage-wise, NOHS eligibility was also high among Borzois (6 of 9), Wirehaired Dachshunds (5 of 8), Siberians (3 of 4), Tibetan Mas- tiffs (4 of 5), Standard Manchesters (6 of 10), Toy Manchesters (6 of 7), Yorkies (4 of 5) and Mini Poodles (7 of 11). At least half of the entry was also eligible in Labradors, Irish Water Spaniels, 15” Beagles, Irish Wolfhounds, Portuguese Podengos, Black Russian Terriers, Standard Schnauzers, Am Staffs, Smooth Fox Terriers, Scotties,
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Cavaliers, Pekingese, Dalmatians, Low- chen, Standard Poodles, Shibas, Tibetan Spaniels and Terriers, Bergers Picard and Cardigans. Perhaps most interestingly, the entire entry (excluding single-digit entries) in Boykins (2), 13” Beagles (3), Rat Terriers (5), Russell Terriers (2), Sealys (3) and King Charles & Ruby Charlies (3) were eligible. It’s also worth noting that approximately half of all owner-handled dogs entered at this year’s shows were eligible to compete in the NOHS.
RANKING THE HIGH ACHIEVERS
Though some owner-handlers may enter their dogs in the NOHS on a whim, oth- ers compete in the arena with rankings in mind. For these high achievers, the NOHS Groups are no less competitive than the “regular” Groups. In fact, the Series can be every bit as rewarding, especially for the experienced owner-handler. The deter- mined non-professional looking to achieve a high profile for his or her dog is rewarded with a ratings system that is devoid—at least in theory—of influences from paid advertising and party schmoozing. Rank- ings are compiled based on the AKC Own- er-Handled Series Point Schedule for Best of Breed, Group and Best in Show place- ments. “At an individual show a dog earns the cumulative number of AKC National Owner-Handled Series points associated with each placement,” notes the AKC web- site. Each Owner-Handled Best of Breed earns five points (10 at a National Special- ty). Owner-Handled Group placements are awarded 30, 20, 15 and 10 points for First through Fourth, Owner-Handled Reserve Best in Show earns 75 points and Owner- Handled Best in Show takes home another 100 points. The top dog at a show offering the NOHS walks away with 135 points, which is a good enough reason to check that eligibility box on the entry form!
At mid-year, the AKC NOHS rankings reflect the commitment that many owner- handlers have for the sport. Currently, the top dog has accumulated 3,385 points which has likely been achieved through a heavy show schedule on the part of a skilled
handler with a very good dog. The contend- er in second place has earned 2,875 points to date, followed closely by the third-ranked dog with 2,515 points. The remaining Top Ten competitors are separated by just a few hundred points, a difference that can be measured by one or two NOHS BIS awards. The pressure must be palpable for these con- tenders who are in the race with a variety of breeds. Among the current list, the Top Ten is represented by a pair of Hounds, one Terrier, three Toys, one Non-Sporting breed and three Herding dogs. The Top Twenty is represented by three Sporting breeds, two Hounds, two Terriers, five Toys, five Non-Sporting and three different Herding breeds. Curiously, the current top-ranked Working breed is positioned at No. 32.
Each year, the nation’s top-ranked owner-handled dogs from the NOHS are invited to compete at an end-of-year com- petition held in conjunction with the AKC National Championship in December. “Dogs that finished ranked in the Top Ten (plus ties) for their breed during the qualify- ing period will be invited to compete in the competition,” the AKC website makes clear. The qualifying period for 2019 is October 11, 2018 through October 09, 2019. “Dogs exhibited by professional handlers on the day of the event are not eligible for this competition,” the AKC website emphasizes. Similarly, dogs exhibited by current assis- tants or household members on the day are not eligible to enter the NOHS. However, current assistants that meet the age and amateur status requirements and are eligi- ble to compete in Junior Showmanship may participate in the NOHS final.
Since its inception, the AKC National Owner-Handled Series has been embraced by a large portion of owner-handlers from around the country. The non-titling pro- gram has helped to increase show entries and it’s demonstrated how the “trivial many” are more than happy to maintain their amateur status. In fact, most are only too happy to celebrate their pride of ownership!