The Importance Of Good Sportsmanship In The Juniors’ Ring

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138 – May, 2025

By William Given

Junior Showmanship has long been a popular sport for the children of professional handlers, dog show enthusiasts, and other young people between the ages of nine and eighteen. The practice of good sportsmanship plays an important role in creating a positive and supportive environment for juniors to thrive in recreationally.

Most juniors, as well as their parents and mentors would, I think, agree that sportsmanship is an essential element of the Junior Showmanship experience. Although it can take many forms, all of us can give a few examples of what sportsmanship looks like and what it takes to be considered a “good sport”. For example, we congratulate the winner and those placed ahead of us, we check with the handlers behind us to make sure they are ready before we begin the “go around”, or we offer our hand to help a competitor who has slipped and fallen. I have even had a competitor help me with some last-minute grooming, so my dog looked better before entering the ring. These are just a few of the ways we display good sportsmanship.

The Definition of Good Sportsmanship

Good sportsmanship can best be defined as the practice of displaying respect for one’s competitors, fairness in competition, and having empathy for rivals. It encompasses a set of attitudes and behaviors that promote a positive and inclusive environment.

Good sportsmanship, however, is more than demonstrating an understanding of and commitment to following the rules of our sport. It includes fair play, ethical behavior, and integrity, and having general goodwill for one’s competitors. It is a testament that as a handler, a young person is disciplined enough to have perspective, maintain poise, and do what is best for his or her ring partner. Being able to make appropriate behavioral choices at a “critical moment” and in a pressure situation will often reveal a junior’s character and his or her true ability to be a good sport.

Exploring the Concept of Good Sportsmanship

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138 – May, 2025

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Posted by AnthonyA on May 13 2025. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.