PREFACE: The sport of purebred dog competitive events dates prior to 1884, the year of AKC’s birth.
Shared values of those involved in the sport include principles of sportsmanship.
They are practiced in all sectors of our sport: conformation, performance and companion.
Many believe these principles of sportsmanship are the prime reason our sport has thrived
for years. With the belief that it is useful to periodically articulate the fundamentals of our sport,
this code is presented.