The original intent was to print it in each show catalog , but

as time went on , it was printed less and less frequently . And

now more than ever , the conduct present at shows is becoming

less sportsmanlike and more adversarial .

Take for example AKC ’ s flagship week , the Royal Canin

AKC National Championship show and the Orlando cluster .

No fewer than eight bench show hearings were called , and if

there were more , it would come as no surprise . Gone are the

days of entering a dog show for an opinion and accepting that

opinion , whatever it may be . As a judge , I see it firsthand : exhibitors

snatching ribbons and not saying thank you , turning

their backs on the judge in the ring as selections are made if

they are not chosen first , squabbling with other exhibitors and

a litany of other less-than-desirable behaviors .

Even outside the ring , we hear of exhibitors engaging in

verbal altercations and in some instances physical attacks . The

temperaments of the dogs have improved but that of the exhibitors

has declined rapidly . The sport is at a tipping point where

we must make a stand on sportsmanship for both exhibitors

and judges alike . So maybe a refresher course in the AKC Code

of Sportsmanship is in order . Certainly it could not hurt to revisit

a few of the key points this dossier brings to the forefront .

The Code of Sportsmanship ’ s first bullet point states that

Although no one is suggesting that we turn the clock back as far as fashion at dog shows , let ’ s continue to conduct ourselves as ladies and gentlemen in our time-honored sport . Shown is a 1901 poster advertising the Mascoutah

Kennel Club show in Illinois .

one should respect the history , traditions and integrity of this sport . Our history is being lost . Our sport began as a gentlemen ’ s event . Where has that gone ? Where is the respect of our elders and the desire to emulate the greats of our past ? And integrity is paramount when approaching all aspects of our beloved sport . If an action begs the question , “ Should I do this ?” or “ Is this going to result in a problem ?” then the answer is simple : Avoid engaging in such an action .

The second line is one that would go a long way to improving the sport , and I will quote it in full : “ Sportsmen commit themselves to the values of fair play , honesty , courtesy and vigorous competition , as well as winning and losing with grace .” This statement says quite a bit about how our sport should be reflected in our actions . Fair play and honesty are simple issues . Everyone should be on an even playing field , and honesty in judging and exhibiting should prevail . An exhibitor should be forthright with his exhibits in both presentation and representation , and a judge should judge all dogs

with no favoritism shown , regardless of ranking , friendship or any other factor that could influence the outcome .

“ Courtesy and vigorous competition ” carries a large burden as well . Certainly , when an exhibitor enters the ring , the desire is to emerge the winner . One would expect nothing less than each individual to present his dog authoritatively with determination and the conviction that his is the best . However , courtesy must be extended to everyone in the ring that they too may enjoy the same ability to present their charge in the same light . An exhibitor should never interfere with the presentation of another . They should allow ample space for each exhibit and be conscious of personal space . And bait should only be for the benefit of the individual dog and not unceremoniously flung far and wide to the detriment of not only the dogs in the ring at the time but all those that follow .

Judges also bear responsibility in this matter . They must

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