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More than 80% of show dogs are handled by their owners. The National Owner-Handled Series is AKC’s national competition just for them — and it runs on a completely separate points system that has nothing to do with championships.
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The 30-second version
At shows offering NOHS, after Best of Breed judging, the professional handlers step out of the ring. The judge picks Best Owner-Handled from the dogs handled by their owners. That dog earns NOHS points:
- Owner-Handled Best of Breed: 5 points (10 at a national specialty)
- Group placements: 30 / 20 / 15 / 10 for Group 1–4
- Owner-Handled Reserve Best in Show: 75 points
- Owner-Handled Best in Show: 100 points
Points stack — a BOB plus a Group 2 is 5 + 20 = 25 points for the day. The top 10 dogs per breed each year are invited to the NOHS Finals in Orlando.
Zero championship points. NOHS points don’t count toward a CH or GCH. They’re a separate competition entirely.
Step 1: How a show day works
Regular breed judging happens first — classes, Winners Dog, Winners Bitch, Best of Breed — exactly as described in How Dog Show Points Work. Championship points are awarded normally.
Then the NOHS judging begins. Everyone stays in the ring except the professional handlers, their household members, and their current assistants. The judge looks at the remaining owner-handled dogs and selects Best Owner-Handled.
That dog goes on to the Owner-Handled Group and potentially Owner-Handled Best in Show — judged separately from the regular groups.
Step 2: The point scale
NOHS points per placement
| Placement | Points |
|---|---|
| Owner-Handled Best in Show | 100 |
| Owner-Handled Reserve Best in Show | 75 |
| Owner-Handled Group 1 | 30 |
| Owner-Handled Group 2 | 20 |
| Owner-Handled Group 3 | 15 |
| Owner-Handled Group 4 | 10 |
| Owner-Handled Best of Breed | 5 |
| Owner-Handled BOB at a National Specialty | 10 |
Points from multiple placements add together. A BOB (5) plus a Group 1 (30) is 35 points for the day.
Step 3: A worked weekend
One Wire Fox Terrier, four days
Thursday: Owner-Handled BOB → 5 points
Friday: Owner-Handled BOB (5) + Terrier Group 2 (20) → 25 points
Saturday: Owner-Handled BOB (5), no group placement → 5 points
Sunday: Owner-Handled BOB at the national specialty (10) + Terrier Group 1 (30) → 40 points
Weekend total: 75 NOHS points. Zero championship points changed hands in this calculation — it’s a parallel universe.
Step 4: The Finals and lifetime achievement
NOHS Finals: The top 10 dogs per breed (plus ties) from the September-to-September qualifying year are invited to the Finals, held alongside the AKC National Championship in Orlando each December. Breed and group judging across two days, NOHS Best in Show on Sunday night.
Lifetime achievement levels — separate from the annual rankings, based on total career NOHS points:
NOHS Levels of Achievement
| Level | Lifetime points |
|---|---|
| Bronze | 250 |
| Silver | 500 |
| Gold | 1,000 |
| Platinum | 2,000 |
Each level earns a commemorative pin and certificate from AKC.
Why it matters with zero championship points
Because it answers a different question. Championship points ask “can this dog win?” NOHS asks “can this dog win on its own merit, shown by the person who loves it?”
For owner-handlers, it’s the only national stage built for them. For breeders, a NOHS Finals invitation or Gold achievement on a stud dog or brood bitch is proof of quality without the asterisk of professional handling. And for the fancy, it’s where the heart of the sport lives.
Where this fits: the full picture
Championship points → How Dog Show Points Work. 15 points, two majors, three judges. The foundation.
Grand Champion points → How Grand Champion Points Work. 25 points in Best of Breed, then Bronze through Platinum.
Owner-Handled Series → this article. A parallel competition for owner-handlers. No championship points — and proud of it.
Sources: AKC NOHS Overview, AKC NOHS Point Scale, AKC NOHS Finals, AKC NOHS Levels of Achievement.
Frequently asked questions
What is the AKC National Owner-Handled Series?
AKC's national competition for owner-handled dogs. At shows offering NOHS, after Best of Breed judging the professional handlers step out of the ring and the judge picks Best Owner-Handled. It runs on a completely separate points system.
How many NOHS points is a win worth?
Owner-Handled Best in Show is 100 points, Reserve BIS 75, Group 1 through 4 earn 30/20/15/10, Owner-Handled Best of Breed earns 5 (10 at a national specialty). Points from multiple placements stack.
Do NOHS points count toward a championship?
No. NOHS points earn zero championship points — it is a completely separate competition from the CH and GCH systems.
Who is eligible for NOHS?
You must be an owner of record and not a professional handler — household members of pros and current assistants to pros are also ineligible. Junior handlers can compete. Check the "Owner-Handled eligible" box on the entry form before entries close; there is no extra fee.
What is the NOHS Finals?
The top 10 dogs per breed (plus ties) from the September-to-September qualifying year are invited to the Finals, held alongside the AKC National Championship in Orlando each December.
What are the NOHS lifetime achievement levels?
Career-total milestones separate from annual rankings: Bronze at 250 lifetime NOHS points, Silver at 500, Gold at 1,000, and Platinum at 2,000. Each level earns a commemorative pin and certificate from AKC.
Showing owner-handled?
Plan your NOHS season on ThePetAdvisor — track your dogs, find the shows, and never miss a closing date.