Ethics vs Morals
These words are so closely related that they are often
interchanged. What is the difference in
these words?
Ethics are rules of behavior determined by a governing body such as
your profession or organization or club.
Lawyers, policemen and doctors all have to follow an ethical code of
conduct determined by their profession, regardless of their own
feelings or preferences. Ethics is a social system or the framework for
acceptable behavior.
Morals are our own personal beliefs of what is right and wrong
behavior. We typically are taught
morals from our family. Morals are
family values. If you are raised in a
family that believes that discrimination against others is wrong, then you will
likely never believe that discrimination is morally right. However, if you were brought up in a family
where there was discrimination, as you are exposed to various social
opportunities in your life, you may change your moral beliefs about
discrimination and decide it is wrong.
Personal beliefs, morals, can change over our lifetime due to our living
experiences.
Ethics versus Morals is when you are in a situation that one
challenges the other. For instance, if
you are a lawyer that believes that murder is wrong and should be punished, but
you also have taken the oath that every person has the right to fair and
competent legal defense. How do you make
your Morals work with Ethics? Or you
believe there is nothing wrong with smoking marijuana, but your employer says
if you are caught smoking marijuana on the job you will be fired?
The CKC has a Members Code of Ethics and a Breeders Code of Ethics. When was the last time you read them? Here are the web links so you can review them
if you like.
Also there is a CKC Handbook. I look at it regularly for rules for
different situations. It is a very handy
tool.
Ethics in the Dog Fancy
Nowadays, there seems to be growing discontent
among exhibitors, about the lack of ethics in the Dog Fancy. Morals and the CKC Code of Ethics combined
with the rules and regulations published by the CKC give each of us guidelines
to follow in our sport. We all should
know the rules of conduct and the rules and regulations of our sport. We all understand to breach any of these
rules can result in disqualification, fines and even suspension.
In spite of all the rules and Regulations the CKC publishes,
it is absolutely certain that the sport would run far less smoothly and be a
great deal less fun without them. Like all rules, however watertight they
appear to be, there are always people who will go out of their way to exploit
the small “chinks and cracks” to their own advantage. It’s the way people exploit the rules and
breaks the unwritten ethics of the dog fancy that cause people to become angry
and jaded.
There are always a few people in any sport that are
unethical and will do whatever it takes to win.
There are exhibitors that email the judges pictures and stats on their
dogs before the shows. Some exhibitors
want a lot of face-time with judges outside the ring in hopes of ingratiating
themselves to the judge. Some pile up on
top of the ring steward table to be sure to be noticed with their fine
dog. Some exhibitors give gifts after
the show as appreciation. Some
exhibitors take judges to dinner before, during and after the show. I have seen exhibitors fling winning ribbons
into the trash bin on their way out of the ring. Some exhibitors stomp off so mad that their
footsteps echo in your ears and their poor dog is being dragged behind
them. There are no written rules against
any of this, but there are personal morals and sporting ethics that should come
into play.
Wouldn't it be nice if all exhibitors had a great
sporting attitude, win or lose?
Unfortunately, bad manners are displayed at every event. Our sport is open to all people, regardless
of economic, educational, or religious affiliation. So, needless to say, we have all types of
people exhibiting dogs. I think we can
all agree that the one person we all hate to see is the one that is always mad
about something. They don’t like the
judging panel. They think that Pro
Handlers are unfair competition. They
think the other dogs are poor examples of their breed. The show organizers are idiots and failed to
do a good job. The venue is awful. On and on and on! Fortunately, the majority of our exhibitors
are good sports and take the losses with the wins. They are genuinely pleased to see a good dog
win, even it if means their dog did not win.
There are plenty of exhibitors that will lend a hand to hold another
exhibitor’s dog ringside or even step in to show the dog if needed. There are exhibitors that have taken a novice
under their wing to be sure they understand all the rules and nuances of showing. I am pleased to say that I have been on the
receiving end and the giving end of good deeds.
I hope I have made some folks feel really awful
about their behavior and will try harder to be good sports and play the game
with better ethics and moral fiber.
If nothing else, I hope this serves as a reminder
that most of our mother’s taught us right from wrong, and as adults we need
those lessons more than ever! Please
don’t leave your good manners and ethics at your setup. Bring them to the ring to show them off!
Shakes Hands and Come Out Friends
I was
reminded this last weekend while we were at the Canfield, Ohio Dog Show that we
should take the time to get to know people at our shows. Setting up next door to us at Canfield
fairgrounds was another couple. I was
bathing my dogs when the lady came to me and asked if I had the beautiful
wirehaired dachshund that was reserve BIS at the Kent show. I was stunned that she recognized us and I didn't have a clue who she was. It was
my lucky day because I met two great new people, Nancy and Randy Rhodes that
are breeder/handlers of mini longhair dachshunds. We got to chatting and we had so many things
in common. They live part of the year in
Canada and the other in Michigan. The
Kent show is their club show. Now, I
look forward to seeing them at the shows.
Also, there
was a young lady coming to their campsite that I recognized from the Ontario
shows, and I asked who she was. Her name
is Karen Norton that has Chinese Crested and also handles sometimes for Nancy
and Randy. What a treat to actually meet
her and to have a little time to get to know her. Now, I look forward to seeing her at the
shows.
We are all
guilty of using the excuse that we are to busy with grooming, handling and
other important tasks to meet people at the shows. BULL*HIT!!
It isn't true. That is just a
boldface lie. Nobody is that busy. I’m guilty of that excuse, too!
I remember
that I kept seeing this very attractive lady (she will be embarrassed when she
reads I called her “very attractive”!), and I loved the way she always
presented herself and dog ringside.
Finally, one day I told Lyle that I was going to buck up and introduce
myself to her. We all went into the ring
for breed and we are waiting ringside for the Hound Group. I walked to the other side of the ring and told
her that I think she is beautiful, she dresses immaculately and she had the
finest Basset Hound I’d ever seen. I
told her my name and made my hasty exit.
She was stunned and didn't know what to say. But, we have been good friends ever
since. We love seeing each other at the
shows and we are friends away from the ring.
I know everyone thinks that I am not afraid of anything and I am
outgoing. I have a shy side and it isn't always easy for me to meet new people.
So, please wipe your hands off on your clothes, take a deep gulp and
march up to a stranger at the next show and stick out your hand. Remember to be interested in that person and
they will be interested in you. When the
introductions are done, you both walk away with a new acquaintance and the
possibility of a new friendship.
Remember to watch for "Nice Deeds". They are happening all around us. Let's talk about the people helping others. Send your "Nice Deeds" to me at djenkins@shaw.ca
Be sure to go to Canuck Dogs, http://www.canuckdogs.com, to see all the upcoming events and to check stats. You should bookmark it. That's where you will find my blog.
XXXOOO
XXXOOO
I remember the days when a group of us in the Sporting Group stayed always to watch the group and then BIS. I don't go to many shows now as I do not have anything to show. Most of that group have 'aged-out' as they say in the field trial world. We have had our wins, high moments, low moments. I am walking disabled now so finding someone to show is difficult on the limited disability pension on which I live. However, when I do get to a show, I stay to the bitter end. I have made friends in other groups and I support those friends. One of them often shows for me. When I get a 'fold and go' scooter, I shall be back in the ring. I miss the comaraderie of those days.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I have witnessed un-ethical and immoral behaviour in my own breed. It sickened me so I made it my purpose to retire the dog that was being used unethically. I did and the owner never brought another dog out to campaign again. No foreign substances - most have never heard the phrase. I watch dogs have their coats doctored - some even dye them. I have seen handlers tease a male with a bitch in season. Sometimes you can't breathe because of the starch in the air. It is wrong, wrong, wrong. And, the judges do not stop it. It is in their hands to demand the change and they do nothing. That is what scares me.
I remember many a time when I was put up over an individual, they would go through the judge book, demand an exchange of ribbons or even worse .... When a well known judge came into Canada for his assignment, he was reamed ringside publicly and lousy by the same exhibitor and partner for putting my dog up on that day. "Do you not know who we are??" If I had a dime for every time I heard that, or had seen judges pulled aside for placing me, I could afford to hire a handler to show for me and not ever have to see it again.
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