A foundational document for the dog sports community, the American Kennel Club Code of Sportsmanship and Civility aims to promote responsible and respectful behavior at in-person events, as well as online.
“The AKC Code of Sportsmanship has defined the guiding principles of our sport for decades,” says AKC President and CEO, Gina M. DiNardo. “As we look to the future, the updated AKC Code of Sportsmanship and Civility remains true to those core values while modernizing the Code to reflect today’s world and today’s exhibitors.”
“This revision reaffirms our enduring commitment to fairness, respect, equity, and inclusion in all we do. It is a promise — to our dogs, to each other, and to the future of this sport.”
Read on to learn more about the recent evolution of the Code and our commitment to upholding the core values that allow our sport to grow and thrive.
What Is the AKC Code of Sportsmanship?
Whether they’re unwritten, informal guidelines or established regulations, every sport or activity has a code. For dog sports, the AKC Code of Sportsmanship and Civility aims to promote responsible and respectful behavior at events. The ultimate goal is to ensure a safe, inclusive environment for everyone in attendance.
The Code serves as a core text for the dog sports community. The overarching purpose of the Code is to affirm our commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and civility. It ensures that everyone in our community is aligned on the foundational values of our sport. That’s also a key reason why periodic updates are crucial.
The Heart of the Code Remains Unchanged
Even with the new revisions, the core values that have always defined our sport remain the same. We remain committed to supporting the breeders, exhibitors, and judges who have enabled the sport to thrive over the last 140 years.
The updated Code continues to emphasize the importance of creating a positive atmosphere at events. Respect, equity, inclusion, and courtesy are foundational. This applies to everyone in attendance, including exhibitors, judges, officials, volunteers, spectators, and staff.
Above all else, ensuring the wellbeing and safety of every single dog competing in AKC sports remains a top priority. We believe dogs’ health and happiness are paramount, and the Code reinforces our commitment and collective responsibility to promote their welfare.
Key Updates to the Code
Since even before the AKC was founded in 1884, the tradition of competitive purebred dog events has always involved a strong commitment to sportsmanship. We recognize that periodically updating our guidelines to reflect our values allows us to build a stronger and more resilient community, while also upholding the integrity of the sport of purebred dogs.
With the recent updates to the Code, there is a renewed emphasis on fostering a respectful environment both online and at in-person events. In order to ensure that dog sports remain welcoming and inclusive, sportsmanship must extend beyond in-person interactions on show grounds. In our modern and connected world, it’s just as important to be respectful to your fellow competitors when communicating on digital or social media platforms.
How Do These Changes Impact the Dog Community?
What do these changes mean for you? Like previous versions of the Code, this recent update sets clear expectations for those who participate in dog sports, both at events and online.
For those new to sports, the updated Code also aims to help make events more welcoming and accessible to newcomers. We continue to advocate for competitors to actively support newcomers by serving as mentors and helping them to learn the rules, values, and traditions of the sport. Whether you’ve been competing in dog sports for days, years, or decades, there is always something new to learn and room to lead by example through displaying humility, kindness, and ethical conduct.
The updated Code will allow us to ensure that our community is both competitive and kind, and a space where our shared passion for dogs can thrive. It’s another positive step forward for the dog sports community, allowing us to reinforce the values that have made our sport great for over a century and preparing us for the years ahead.