I cannot find anywhere in my copy of the KC Code of Ethics (use that term lightly!!!) for judges and stewards any ruling on who is allowed to handle a dog in the ring.  Yes we all see dogs stacked by the owner with someone else move it out due to the owners physical limits (I do it myself for someone).  What is the KC standing on a dog that is owned and entered under the name of someone who is not even at the show; the dog is handled by another person exclusively in the ring; a 3rd person (face) stands IN the ring behind (never actually staking it or even laying a finger on it) the dog in the line up presumably to make sure the judge knows the connection of the dog?

At least thats better than a "face" walking into the ring when the judge has the dogs lined up and handing a handler a handful of bait!!

To be honest nothing wrong with either scenario, the judge should be looking at the dogs, not see much above handlers waist height.

Can't see a problem, think the steward or judge should be asked if exhibiting the dog required two handlers but otherwise it should not be a problem. You can, as a handler have your name in the catalogue as handling for but you do not always know in time for this and I do not think I have ever seen anyone being hauled over the KC coals for not having the handler mentioned in the catalogue nor because you asked someone to take your entered exhibit to a show and show it because you are otherwise occupied.

People have handled for me and I for others and it has never been a problem - in my breed it is common to see someone handling for another exhibitor, even a direct competitor, if an exhibitor needs another pair of hands someone will offer to help and then do their very best to get the dog placed.

Very likely to happen if your showing more than one exhibit, and are lucky enough to win both classes so needing both in the challenge.

Often you have to ask someone you have just beaten as they will be free.

I remember my friend Bryony handling my Lexi to her first CC from Post Graduate as I was handling her mother who had won Open. 

It was Deja Vu at Bath (same show) this year as she had won Junior with her first homebred baby, and Open (beating mine) with the mother.  I took Mum in and she got the CC (her first).

I get what you're saying, it doesn't need 3 people in the ring to 'handle' a dog. I've seen it a lot where one pwerson runs the dog and another stacks and does the line up.. That makes sense, but to bring in a 3rd person I don't understand the need for that? What exactly are they doing in the ring? I could see it if they are another owner and the dog has just won BOB or group etc...

And as for coming into the ring to hand over bait, oh come on!! seriously.... Once in the ring no one else should be allowed to come in and out as they please.

A dog should be judged on its own merits, not who has bred it or who owns it..

In reply to Brainless

Seems to happen a lot, suppose that is because if a judge likes what you produce then they are very likely to do well for all your exhibits leaving you with your hands full (over full) when it comes to the challenge.

There are also those who have siblings in the same class, they will also grab someone doing nothing to handle one.

>A dog should be judged on its own merits, not who has bred it or who owns it..


Can't see that who is handling or the number would alter that if the judge has a mind of their own - never seen three for one exhibit and I think the steward should ask one of them to leave the ring, have seen people lean over the rope to hand bait or a towel but it is usually the nearest person, well in our breed it is, and they are not necessarily connected to the person showing.

I can't find it in the red book but I am almost certain that only the judge, the steward/s and 1 exhibitor(who is to show the exhibit number at all times in the ring) & the exhibit are allowed in the ring. If someone has to run the exhibit for someone they are supposed to wait outside of the ring(obviously somewhere convenient).

Is so many people in ring not verging on double handling??

I found it, it's in the guide for stewards,...I was right see below
11.5 Ensure that no dog is present in the ring except those being judged; those
persons allowed in the ring are the judge and the ring stewards, no other
person is allowed in the ring without the authority of the show executive

Although it makes it look a bit odd with the way it is worded

That is so but it is the normal practice if an exhibitor needs a runner to ask the steward to ask the judge if that is acceptable, I have never known it to be refused although I had one judge ask me (steward) to ask the rest of the class if they minded. I can't see the need for three which is why I said earlier that the steward should ask the person to leave the ring. The runner should stand outside or well back but be in position when required and to be fair I have never seen anyone over step the mark of courtesy or good manners.

> What is the KC standing on a dog that is owned and entered under the name of someone who is not even at the show

I hope there isn't a rule regarding this as I have a young dog who lives with me but hasn't yet been put into my name, he is under his breeders name so when I fill in my entry form for my older dog I put my younger dog's owner as handling, even though I handle both dogs, I just prefer to be benched under her name as last year I was at every show with her so we benched together and I've become acustomed to our "benching neighbours" so will bench under her name even though she's not at the show.

What is the KC standing on a dog that is owned and entered under the name of someone who is not even at the show

I can't see there is a rule as if you wish to use a handler, professional or not, then that is what you do, there is no rule that says the owner has to be present at the show.