Good discussion, I thank you all for your responses. Here is a link from the akc on how to hire a pro handler.
AKC Registered Handlers Program - Hiring a Handler
For very new people to the show world there are a couple of terms you want to familiarize yourself with;
1. Ringside pick up - what is that? It can mean literally you are expected to bring your dog washed groomed and to the ringside where the pro handler will take the lead from you and enter in the ring with your dog. Once he/she is finished showing your dog, you are expected to take that lead back and care for your dog for the remainder of the day, particularly if your dog has won BOB and is going to go to group competition.
2. Temporary boarding of your dog with the handler. This is where the handler is responsible to feed, wash, groom, exercise your dog over the course of time you have agreed to. It can be as short as one show wkend or longer.
All professional handlers should have a rate sheet. Make sure you get a copy of that rate sheet. Make sure if you are sharing travel expenses, you understand what will be charged as travel, and how it will be divied up.
Some areas to cover with this handler are; 1. If a conflict in schedule arises, how will he/she solve the problem. ie; their assistant will show your dog, or one of their fellow peers, lastly you are expected to show your dog. Go through this not only at the breed or class level, but at group level.
Please note it is standard practice that first top priority is given to any "specials" the handler might be showing. So ask what specials he/she currently has. You want to know the breeds they are specialing. This will be closely followed by class dogs they have contracted with other owners to show until their championship. A special is a dog which is already a champion, and these owners are probably looking to compete for top dog status. Next will be long term clients of theirs, dogs which occasionally they show for a client, but not necessarily every wkend. then finally there is you.
Do not expect to pay handler's fees if your handler doesn't show your dog. Inquire what are the rates if their assistant shows the dog. You should expect that if your handler hands off your dog to another peer handler and you have agreed to this practice that the handling fee is what your handler would normally charge.
AS the owner of the dog you have a type of balancing decision to make - on who to hire, what you expect from the handler (ie; one time show, finish your dog, show your dog at a national specialty) - Oh yes and count on national specialty rates to be different than regular show rates.
Be clear in your expectations, be clear also on how you will measure your handler's performance.
For example big name handlers are very busy folks indeed. How-ever usually well organzied with a well-oiled team to deal with conflicts, scheduling, xpenning, grooming etc. You might have to wait 2-3 months to get on their list, if they agree to take you and your dog. A good handler should want to meet your dog, go over it, walk your dog, speak with you about your goal for your dog, ask for your dog's quirks or foibles, and give you a rough idea on how long it might take to finish your dog.
It is important particularly, if you plan on leaving your dog in the care of this handler and have the handler do the grooming, to quiety observe what goes on in their set up on busy and not so busy show days. Are the dogs left unattended? Be aware that pro handlers almost always set-up near to each other, and look out for each others dogs when not in their set-up.
Like hiring any pro, the conversation is a two way street. Come prepared with a list of questions you want the answers to. Answer all your handlers questions honestly and as completely as you can.