AKC’s New Proposals Receive Mixed Reviews

By Caroline Coile

At its January 2024 meeting, the AKC Board of Directors reviewed two interesting recommendations, both of which have met with decidedly mixed reviews.

Regional NOHS-Only Events

“The Board reviewed a recommendation for a pilot program to allow up to eight Regional NOHS-Only events to be held by All-Breed Clubs. The events would be structured like the NOHS Championship event in Orlando, except it would not be an invitational. All owner-handlers can participate.

“All-Breed Clubs will be advised of the opportunity and asked to submit a proposal to hold a Regional NOHS-Only event. The events will be located around the country.

“Clubs will be selected based on the quality of the proposal, the club’s history of holding NOHS events, and the date they are proposing to hold the event. Regional NOHS-Only events will be staggered throughout the pilot period with no two occurring close to one another.”

Comments from owner-handlers about the proposal are mixed. Many wanted to know if regular Championship points would be awarded (no), or if NOHS points would be awarded (presumably yes). Many NOHS exhibitors, especially those unable to attend Orlando, liked the idea. Many others considered it an affront, as though owner-handlers attended shows not for the regular championship points and awards, but for the NOHS points and ribbons only. Several thought it was a way to further divide the sport’s participants into the serious professional and ribbon-loving owner-handlers. Many opined that they enjoy showing in NOHS as it is, but would not make a separate trip, stay an extra day, or pay an extra entry fee to do so.

Comments from show chairs were far less mixed. A few felt it would offer their club a prestigious event and attract more owner-handlers to any associated All-Breed event. Most, though, observed that it would be a money-losing proposition for any club hosting such an event. It would take the same facilities, superintendent fees, club helpers, and other expenses as an all-breed show, with a far smaller entry to pay the bills. The Orlando event has never topped 1,000 entries, and regional events would have far less draw.

When would it be held? Stand-alone events would be unlikely to attract many exhibitors, because most NOHS exhibitors do come for the regular competition rather than just the NOHS. No club is going to give up a weekend day of a cluster. And owner-handlers, many of whom have weekday jobs, are far less able to come on a weekday preceding a cluster, as some suggested.

Perhaps, maybe, such an event could be structured like a concurrent specialty or concurrent group show–but in that case, they would hardly seem particularly special. Some clubs currently have special NOHS sweepstakes in the evening, but these seldom attract more than a 100 or maybe 200 entries at most. The only reason the NOHS Invitational attracts 800 to 900 entrants is that it is something exhibitors work toward all year long, and it’s held in conjunction with an already prestigious weekend.

Then there’s the matter of hiring judges. Someone suggested local permit judges would be eager to get the experience and would come for free. But for such an event to have any prestige, it needs to have judges already licensed for the groups they will be judging. One of NOHS’s current problems is the use of unqualified judges practicing on unfamiliar groups.

One chair suggested having several clubs come together and host an NOHS-Only weekend, but the AKC proposal only allows for one Regional per region. Possibly such an event could be combined with a performance day of FastCAT, Nosework, Obedience, Rally, and Agility–but that still may not make its money back, although it could be a great way for clubs that can afford to take a loss to give back.

Professional Handlers in 4-6 Month Puppy Competition

Exhibition Only Four-to-Six Month Beginner Puppy Competition

“The Board reviewed a proposal to amend the Sanctioned Four-to-Six Month Beginner Puppy Competition Regulations to allow professional handlers, members of their household and current assistants to personally exhibit dogs they own For Exhibition Only in the Four-to-Six Month Beginner Puppy Competition. If approved, the effective date would be July 31, 2024.”

Current rules for BPUP prohibit professional handlers from showing even their own dogs. The idea behind this is that BPUP offers an entry-level competition for new owners getting their feet wet in AKC dog shows, and that it could be discouraging for them to compete against seasoned professionals. However, if instead the purpose of BPUP is to allow puppies the chance for socialization and ring experience, then puppies belonging to professionals are at a disadvantage. This new rule attempts to rectify both problems by allowing professionals to compete, but not for awards.

It sounds good at first, but some exhibitors disagree. First, some owner-handlers thought that it was yet another way to be pushed into the background by professionals, who would get all the attention and “face-time” from the judges. I disagree with this; I doubt any professionals will be entering BPUP to further their advantage with judges. In fact, in my opinion this would increase a new owner’s chance to meet professionals and perhaps get some advice.

Some professionals were glad, but others not so much. “Why should I pay the same entry fee but not have my dog judged? How does this help new judges consider all the dogs in a class when making decisions? Isn’t it about the best dog, not who shows it?” All good points. From an individual viewpoint, the answer is just save your money and continue not to enter. Allowing pros to show for exhibition only may not be the perfect solution, but at least it’s a step in the right direction.

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Posted by Liz on Feb 7 2024. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.