The Reading Room • Conformation Guides
More than 80% of show dogs are handled by their owners. The National Owner-Handled Series is their own competition — run alongside the regular shows, with its own points, its own rankings, and its own Finals. Here’s how it works.
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What the NOHS actually is
The National Owner-Handled Series is a non-titling competition for dogs exhibited by their owners — not professional handlers — held at select AKC shows across the country. It runs inside the regular show: after Best of Breed judging in each ring, the eligible owner-handled dogs stay, and the judge picks the Best Owner-Handled of the breed.
Those winners go on to owner-handled Groups and an owner-handled Best in Show, earning NOHS points at every step.
The point scale
NOHS points per placement
Owner-Handled Best in Show: 100 points · Reserve BIS: 75 · Group 1: 30 · Group 2: 20 · Group 3: 15 · Group 4: 10 · Best of Breed: 5 (10 at a national specialty)
At an individual show, a dog earns the cumulative points for each placement — a Group 1 plus a Best in Show stacks up fast.
Who can compete
You declare your dog owner-handled at the time of entry (there’s a checkbox on the entry form). Professional handlers, members of their households, and their current assistants may not exhibit the dog in breed competition at that show. The dog must be handled by an eligible owner throughout.
Rankings and the Finals
Dogs are ranked by breed on NOHS points. At year’s end, the top ten dogs per breed (plus ties) qualify for the NOHS Finals, held in December alongside the AKC’s championship events in Orlando. Only owner-handlers, competing head to head — it’s one of the best atmospheres in the sport.
Why it matters
The NOHS is the only national competition built specifically for the 80% — the people who groom, train, condition, and show their own dogs. Winning an owner-handled Group means you beat the pros’ clients with your own two hands. Ask anyone who’s done it: it hits different.
Glossary
- NOHS — National Owner-Handled Series.
- Best Owner-Handled (BOH) — The best eligible owner-handled dog of the breed, picked after BOB judging.
- Non-titling — Earns rankings, not titles — NOHS points never become championship points.
- Finals — Year-end invitational for the top 10 per breed.
Sources: AKC National Owner-Handled Series, AKC NOHS Point Scale. Verify current rules with the official rulebook.
Frequently asked questions
Do NOHS points count toward my dog’s championship?
No. The NOHS is a non-titling competition — points earn rankings only, never championship points.
How do I enter the NOHS?
Declare your dog owner-handled at the time of entry using the checkbox on the entry form, at shows offering the series.
Who is eligible for the NOHS?
Dogs exhibited by their owners. Professional handlers, members of their households, and current assistants to professional handlers may not exhibit the dog in breed competition at that show.
What is the NOHS point scale?
Owner-Handled Best in Show 100, Reserve BIS 75, Group 1 thirty, Group 2 twenty, Group 3 fifteen, Group 4 ten, Best of Breed 5 (10 at a national specialty). Points accumulate per show.
How do dogs qualify for the NOHS Finals?
The top ten ranked dogs per breed (plus ties) at year’s end are invited to the Finals, held in December alongside the AKC championship events in Orlando.
Where and when are the NOHS Finals?
In December, in Orlando, alongside the AKC’s year-end championship events. Verify the current year’s details with the AKC.
Track your progress on ThePetAdvisor
Log every NOHS placement, watch your breed ranking climb, and plan your owner-handler weekends.