Ethics
By Roseann Fucillo
This article first appeared in the December 2009 AKC GAZETTE

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The topic of ethics is broad in scope and all encompassing.  It is one of those “hot topics” that is right up there with religion and politics.  Ethics can be one’s moral standard to strive for, to follow throughout life; a form of one’s conscience discerning right from wrong.  How one conducts oneself in interpersonal relationships in any arena can reveal a lot about that person’s ethics and even their character.

In the sport of purebred dogs, ethics come into play when one sells a dog, provides a service, or joins into a partnership.  Gone are the days when a “man’s word was his bond,” when people lived by their word and made agreements with just a handshake.  Unfortunately, some people lack the integrity that you assumed they possessed when you entered into a contractual agreement with them.  Today, when many partnerships and friendships have been destroyed because of egos, greed, and misconstrued oral agreements, it becomes necessary to have written contracts. However, generally speaking, any contractual agreement is only as good as the people who sign it. 

It also shouldn’t surprise anyone when dishonest people with a shady past, continue their con games in the dog world.  Those characters don’t suddenly “become honest” when they become dog breeders.  They may misrepresent their dogs through deceptive methods, hide health issues and even engage in false advertising.  Do they continue their antics because they can or because we let them?  Any member belonging to an AKC club has pledged to a code of ethics and should abide by it.  But how closely is one’s behavior monitored unless it is reported? 

Is it unethical or unsportsmanlike to show your dog when there is no major in the breed if he only needs a major to finish?  In such a situation, the dog would have only a very remote chance of obtaining the major he needs – he would have to take WD, BB, and win the group assuming there was a major at that show in at least one of the breeds defeated.  Are we talking fairy tales here?  For the average owner/handler that would be a really big stretch and a huge improbability.  So, would showing in this situation be considered unethical in the sense that it “takes points away from” your competitors?  On the other hand, aren’t you entered at a dog show because you are competing not just for breed points but the ultimate prize, the Best In Show? 

Would it be ethical to show to judges you have just hired?  Should you show to judges you had recently hired in shows your friend chaired in another area of the country?  In these scenarios, suppose your friend just happens to win at your shows while you win at hers.  These wins, albeit possibly deserving, have the appearance of being unethical.  Why would one put judges in these positions?

AKC judges have a huge responsibility to be ethical so as to maintain the integrity of the sport. Their reputations are on the line every time they make a decision.  They have to make sure that the dogs they choose are the best representatives of their breeds.  With the judge’s validation, many dogs will be carrying on their breed for future generations.   

Published with permission from the AKC Gazette. This article is not to be copied, whole or in part, without written permission from the author.

Roseann Fucillo