Presenter & Mentor Code of Conduct

As an USASA Mentor and/or Presenter you are regarded as a breed expert, and as such are expected to conduct yourself with dignity and respect for those interested in learning more about our breed and for those whose dogs you are critiquing.

As in all other aspects of the dog sport, you are expected to behave with good sportsmanship and in a professional manner.

Mentors and Presenters should:

1. Commit themselves to the values of honesty and courtesy.
    

2. Refuse to compromise their commitment and obligation to the sport of purebred dogs by injecting personal advantage or consideration into their mentoring role.
    

3. Spurn any opportunity to take personal advantage of their position as a Mentor, including promoting of one’s own kennel or dogs.
    

4. Focus on the merits of the dogs being considered, as related to the breed standard, rather than criticizing and fault finding.
    

5. Refrain from criticizing or commenting on the quality of judging being observed in the ring, and remember that the focus should always be on the dogs, not on the judging.
    

6. Refuse to embarrass the sport, the AKC, USASA, or themselves while taking part in mentoring.
    

7. Respect the AKC and USASA bylaws, rules, regulations and policies governing the sport of purebred dogs.
    

8. Always consider as paramount the welfare of the dogs involved.