Bill meyer Photo by Rick
cludes professional handlers, members of their household
and their current assistants. “AKC created the AKC National Owner-Handled Series as a pilot program in January to
celebrate the dedication and enthusiasm of our owner-handler exhibitors, and we’re very pleased with the support the
program has gotten since it was opened to every all-breed
club this spring,” noted AKC Director of Operations Bobby
Birdsong in a press release published on October 4, 2012, on
the club’s website.
“Rankings are compiled based on the AKC Owner-Handled
Series Point Schedule for Best of Breed, Group and Best in
Show placements.” The non-titling program has been embraced by serious amateurs looking to achieve a high profile
for their dogs through a ratings system based solely on the
quality of t he entry and — at least in theory — uncompromised by the influence of paid advertising. Eligibility prohibits participation by professional handlers and requires
type that included his breed’s bold and dashing temperament.
that exhibitors remain bonafide amateurs. As AKC’s website
The second dog, Lukas, was bred by a mutual friend and sent
makes clear, “Any type of remuneration associated with the
to Vivian for training. The 15-month-old was owned by an oldservice of handling a dog in the conformation ring meets the
er couple that had allowed the young dog’s Type A personality
definition of a professional handler in regards to eligibility
to get the better of him — and them. Vivian recognized Lukas’
for the AKC National Owner-Handled Series.”
many fine qualities and felt that I might be the right person to
So our fledgling handler can continue to show for her new
show him at the big event. So, with less than a month to spare,
friend while participating with her own dog in the National
I brought Lukas home to get him ready to compete. Vivian
Owner-Handled Series, so long as her only compensation is
kept Bravo with her and made plans to bring him ringside for
the occasional meal or tank of gas. By
me to show.
contrast, professional handlers listed
When the day of the National arin AKC’s Registered Handlers Program
rived, I felt that Lukas was ready. For
When conflicts arise,
must abide by the guidlines and Code
several weeks we’d spent our days simthe professionals
of Ethics set forth by the organization.
ply getting to know each other. We took
The requirements for membership
long walks around the neighborhood
have a contingency
include kennel facilities that meet
where I learned that he was beautifully
plan in place, and so
AKC-recommended criteria, proof of
balanced in construction, completely
should amateurs.
kennel ownership or lease, proof of
willing to please, and a pleasure to have
liability insurance, safe and adequate
on lead and in the house, as long as he
transporation, a published rate card,
had me to himself without having to
client contracts and a minimum of seven years’ experience
compete for my attention with any other dog. My affection for
showing dogs for a fee. The Code of Ethics includes discihim grew each day that we were together, and our teamwork
plinary guidelines approved by the AKC Board of Directors.
was rewarded when he won his class at the National. His
Should an exhibitor find her hobby becoming a new career,
breed type was rewarded when he went Winners Dog. I was
she may be sponsored by two current registered professional
so pleased with the win, I couldn’t wait to let him rest before
handlers for the AKC RHP Initiate Program that was begun
taking him back in the ring for a shot at Best of Winners. And
on January 1, 2016. This allows for membership in the AKC
then I remembered Bravo.
RHP even if the handler has not shown professionally for
While I’d been busy getting to know Lukas and putting
seven years.
polish on our performance, I’d completely forgotten about
my commitment to show Vivian’s Special for her. Bravo was
indeed a magnificent representative of his breed, but I’d given
Avoiding Conflicts
my heart to Lukas without even realizing it.
Many years ago I was asked by a friend to show a couple of
Vivian intended to hold me to our agreement. “You’re showdogs at our breed’s National Specialty. One of the dogs was
ing Bravo,” she told me plainly when I brought up my desire
owned by my friend and entered as a Special. Bravo was Vivian’s “heart dog.” An impressive male, he possessed classic
Continued on page 76
The German
Wirehaired
Pointer GCh.
Ripsnorter
Reigning At
Thunder Myst,
was the 2015
NOHS Finals Best
in Show winner
under judge Mrs.
Murrel Purkhiser.
He is owned by
Steve and Betsy
Bernock and
Lisa George,
and handled by
Steve.
September 2016 Dogs In Review
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