From The CC Vault: Ethics and Sportsmanship in the Sport of Purebred Dogs

By: Annika Dechert

Originally Published: November/December 2014

John Berger says, “Without ethics, man has no future,” and the same can be said of dog shows. A code of ethics allows organizations to communicate ideas such as rules a group must follow or personal ideals of right and wrong, but no matter the definition, people understand a code of ethics differently because they have contrasting opinions on morality.  The dog fancy needs the AKC Code of Sportsmanship (approved by the board in 2006) to communicate the sport’s guidelines for behavior. Even though people in various roles in the dog show world have different ideas on how to follow the Code of Sportsmanship and what that means, the AKC Code of Sportsmanship still applies to all roles in the dog world. All participants have a right to their own opinion, but without a code of ethics applying to breeding, judging, and handling, the future of dog sports would be in jeopardy.

The AKC wrote their Code because the sport needed a means to give the participants a set of guiding principles. The preface to the Code explains that, “Many believe that these principles of sportsmanship are the prime reason why our sport has thrived for over one hundred years. With the belief that it is useful to periodically articulate the fundamentals of our sport, this code is presented.” The code lists 15 standards that participants in conformation, performance, and companion events must follow. The rules range from “Sportsmen respect the history, traditions, and integrity of the sport of purebred dogs” to “ The sportsman, judge, or exhibitor accepts constructive criticism.” All of the listed standards deal with issues that could easily arise on a daily basis. Members of the dog world must follow and live the code. If exhibitors do not follow the code, the club files a complaint with AKC, and the AKC will take measures to inform the guilty party of the wrong committed against the code. Should the AKC file many complaints against an exhibitor, the AKC will have to enforce formal discipline. If the offender behaves inappropriately, the AKC will use the “Charter and Bylaws” and the “Dealing with Misconduct at AKC Events” booklet (Rules, Policies and Guidelines for Conformation Dog Show Judges). Basically, the AKC Code of Sportsmanship provides a guideline detailing how members of the dog world should act. If judges, exhibitors, or breeders violate the rules, there will be consequences for the guilty party. However, AKC hopes that the guidelines put in place also align with personal morals and ethics.

All AKC employees must possess a solid understanding of the Code, especially to be a top official. Gina DiNardo, Vice President of AKC, understands the importance of the Code, especially in her job. Born into the dog world, she began showing dogs at five or six years old. Ms. DiNardo started working for the AKC in 1995 and became a Vice President in 2011. Ms. DiNardo says, “One of the most important aspects of the Code which I carried when I competed and as an AKC employee is that it is important to treat everyone the same and apply the rules evenly, no matter the connections or the relationships.” People struggle with this idea the most, but it’s one of the most necessary roles. If the dog world became based on who knows whom, respect and integrity would be lost. DiNardo also believes that, “Those principles [the Code] are part of the reason that the sport has survived for over 100 years.” With the Code in place, the sport has survived. The sport has also survived because, “It [the Code] is very comprehensive. It covers not only the sport but breeding stock, your conduct as an individual participant in the sport and also proper treatment towards your animals.” She believes that exhibitors may not be able to easily find the Code if they do not know it exists. Since much communication within the dog world today occurs online, people don’t see it as much as in the past. If people don’t know and understand the Code, how do they know if they comply with or break the code? However, DiNardo believes that people know that there is a proper code of conduct that should be displayed by all exhibitors even if they have not read the official AKC Code of Sportsmanship. “The sport has always demanded good sportsmanship from its participants.”

Mari-Beth O’Neill, the AKC National Junior Organization Coordinator, must also carefully read and understand the AKC Code. Born into the sport of dogs, she began showing in Junior Showmanship when she turned nine. She began working for the AKC in 1990 and has been the leader of the AKC National Junior Organization since 1995 when AKC approved the new division. She helps the junior handlers in the dog world because, “It is beyond just competing. It teaches responsibility. It also gives a great deal of poise, it brings confidence to young people, and I have seen it create a wonderful bond between dog and junior handler.” She believes that the Code is vital to Junior Showmanship because juniors is all about teaching sportsmanship in general. The whole idea of having young people show dogs is to teach them responsibility, confidence, and showmanship that will help them in their daily lives and in their future. Ms. O’Neill believes that the Code of Sportsmanship is accessible enough for junior handlers as well as the adults in the sport. “Absolutely, it is printed in almost every document that is published. So, I do think that people should be aware of it.” All in all, she believes that it provides the correct tools to help teach people, especially young handlers, how to be good sports, even when they may not agree with the judging.

Breed and All Breed Club officers must also understand the code of sportsmanship. As the President of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States (RRCUS), Mary Lynne Elliott has a deep understanding of the document and what it means to her and the club. “It is the mechanism in which other people complain about other members, breeders, handlers, and owners.” However, this mechanism must be overseen to confirm its proper use. The document acts as a guideline for the way breeders, handlers, and owners should act. It also serves as instruction for the club, illustrating how to deal with different situations. She believes that the people of the sport should be the driving factor. Participants should want to do the right thing, not have to be forced. Ms. Elliott says that the Code is “like the police.” The fact that the code exists helps to keep the people honest, just like the police keep drivers from speeding. She strives to follow the Code as an exhibitor, but also as the “enforcer” as the RRCUS president.

Of course, the dog world would not exist without breeders to keep the sport alive through beautiful dogs. Carolyn Snavely of High Mountain Smooth Fox Terriers truly wants the best for the dogs and the sport. She has been a part of the dog world since 1989 and has had much success in the smooth fox terrier breed. She has bred many Group Winners and Top 10 dogs. Carolyn believes that, “It [the sport] is really all about the ethics.” As an exhibitor, she understands the importance of being a good sport, a gracious winner or loser, and helping new exhibitors thrive. As a breeder, she strives to be honest and up front with all of her communications. In fact, Carolyn believes that, “It is not good for the sport to be unethical, especially since there are so many outside forces trying to bring the dog world down.” However, she does believe that the AKC code could be better. “I would like to see it be more specific and address more of the everyday examples that occur.” If these changes were made, she thinks fewer ethical issues would exist in the dog world. Carolyn always tries to uphold her personal morals and ethics and by doing so, she also supports the AKC Code of Sportsmanship as a breeder.

Professional handlers are an important part of the sport because they bring expertise and experience to the show ring. The handling pair of Gabriel and Ivonne Rangel have had much success in the dog world. Gabriel began showing in 1975 and has handled dogs to over 300 Bests in Show through the years. He has twice handled a Westminster Best in Show winner and AKC National Championship Best in Show winner. “We (Gabriel and Ivonne) value the AKC Code of Sportsmanship. But, unless ALL of the handlers and exhibitors use the Code as a guide and AKC strongly enforces the rules, the sport will not see the benefits the Code can offer to all exhibitors.” They also believe that some people know and understand the Code, but a majority of the dog world doesn’t have a deep understanding for what it truly means and that a greater awareness of the Code is necessary. They would also like to see the Code expanded to address financial relationships between professional handlers and owners. However, they understand that not every circumstance can be addressed directly by the Code.

In order for a show to occur, a superintendent must help keep the show running smoothly. Chris James currently works for the highly respected superintendent organization, Jack Onofrio Dog Shows LLC, and has been working for the company since 1999. Mr. James believes that, “As a super, we are expected to be professional. And, as being professional, we are not allowed to allow our bias to affect us.” A major responsibility as a super is applying the AKC Rules and Misconduct guidelines to the circumstances occurring on a daily basis. The most difficult situations arise when personal ethics contradict with the AKC Code of Sportsmanship. However, “You have to have your own personal set of morals and conduct yourself in an ethical manner.” The exhibitor has the responsibility to understand the requirements that the AKC set up for the good of the sport. Also, Onofrio must keep both the exhibitors and the kennel club happy. The kennel club hires Onofrio, but the exhibitors are the customers of the kennel club, and both groups are important. “I have a moral and ethical obligation to both parties (club and exhibitors).” As a superintendent, he tries to keep all parties happy, which can be difficult. Consequently, a superintendent’s job is all about ethics.

Without the dogs, there would be no dog show, but without the judges, there would be no event. Judges follow the same Code of Sportsmanship the exhibitors must follow. In fact, many clauses address issues that can occur with the judges of the sport. The judges possess the power of decision making, and nothing should influence their decisions except the quality of the animal. The Code states, “The sportsman judge judges only on the merits of the dogs and considers no other factors.” This includes not allowing a conflict of interest, any relationship with handlers or breeders, or bribery to alter placements within a breed class. “A conflict of interest exists when a judge is influenced by any relationship or factor other than the merit of the dogs” (Rules, Policies and Guidelines for Conformation Dog Show Judges). Also, “AKC judges possess and project a commitment to integrity and ethical behavior that insures the reputation of AKC dog shows as fair and well judged.” (Rules, Policies and Guidelines for Conformation Dog Show Judges). Judges are advised that, “If you have concerns about whether something is inappropriate, you probably should avoid the situation” (Rules, Policies, and Guidelines for Conformation Dog Show Judges). In the sport of dogs, many gray areas exist, so the AKC asks that judges use honesty, common sense, and integrity. Also, if judges stay out of questionable situations, questions of ethics and sportsmanship will never be a problem. Consequently, AKC judges have a large amount of responsibility and must understand the code of sportsmanship to ensure that the sport of dogs has a future.

With 55 years of experience in the dog show world, Judy Webb is well-known and highly respected. She handled dogs for 31 years and finished dogs from 68 breeds with group placements and Bests in Show on 34 breeds. After her career as a handler, she became a judge 24 years ago. Webb states, “With being in the sport for 55 years, you just live it [Code of Sportsmanship]; you do not need to remember it.” She believes that the code is vital to the dog show world, especially to the judges. “As a judge, it is to be fair, to be honest, and to give my opinion without any bias, without any outside sources.” Ms. Webb keeps this in mind at all times while judging, especially since, “This has always been my code of ethics personally, so I don’t really need anything else.” She has strong personal conviction, so she has no need for the Code of Sportsmanship specifically. She believes that the Code needs to be more widely distributed and understood by more members of the dog show world. She says, “I don’t think it is published enough. There are many people who don’t even know it exists, let alone know why it exists.” So, it should be made more readily available since not everyone has an internal code of ethics.

Another judge, Cindy Vogels, also understands how important the Code is to the dog world. Ms. Vogels has been showing dogs since 1968, primarily breeds within the Terrier group. She began judging in 1994 and has had many opportunities to judge at high stakes shows such as regional and national specialties and judged Best in Show at the 2012 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The Code is important to her because she believes that all sporting venues, including dogs, should be based on promoting excellence. “For me, the AKC Code of Sportsmanship speaks to the heart of the sport of purebred dogs; we compete (or now in my case, I judge) because of a deep rooted love of purebred dogs and the ideas that competition bring to furthering excellence in each breed.” As we all participate in the world of dogs, we cannot lose sight of the real reason we are there: the dogs.

In conclusion, the dog fancy is governed by the AKC Code of Sportsmanship and applies to people in all roles, from exhibitors, to judges, and to the AKC officials themselves. However, as Ms. Vogels says, “Unfortunately, ethics cannot be legislated – only suggested. A true code of ethics exists within each of us, and it either does, or in some cases, does not, become a constant driving force in our lives.” Ultimately, each person in the dog fancy is responsible for living by the code and policing his own actions.

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