AKC Outstanding Sportsmanship Award
The Award
The American Kennel Club Outstanding Sportsmanship Award was established in an effort to recognize and celebrate AKC member club activities and volunteer members. This prestigious award is awarded to an individual that exemplifies all the tenants of outstanding sportsmanship. The ESSFTA will bestow this prestigious award on an individual only when a nominee is truly deemed worthy. This award, established in 2006, is to be made at the sole discretion of the club. The award is a round brass engraved medallion with “Outstanding Sportsmanship” engraved on the reverses side. The award is to be presented the ESSFTA National Specialty and/or the National Amateur Championship.
This award honors those individuals who deserve special recognition that have made a difference in the Sport of Purebred Dogs, embody the AKC Code of Sportsmanship, and have been an active and valued member of an AKC Member Club
The Recipient
The recipient must be an active member in good standing of the member club for at least 10 years, and be involved in conformation, or obedience, or agility, field sports and any other areas of dog sport. The recipient must have given back to the breed through his actions and involvement in club activities and even in activities outside the member club as it pertains to the sport of dogs through educating the general public . The recipient must embody the American Kennel Club’s Code of Sportsmanship and the winner(s) names are listed on the AKC Website. The recipient must have high integrity and exemplify fairness and honesty. He must be courteous, kind and friendly, especially to newcomers. He promotes goodwill and encourages others when encouragement is required. He offers ideas to others for breeding, care, grooming, handling, competing, training, etc. He is a role model for sportsmanship, and a kind and generous mentor. He congratulates and supports the wins and accomplishments of others and offers good wishes. He must have made contributions to the ESSFTA Parent Club and put the good of the dog above all else.
The Nomination
Any ESSFTA member in good standing can nominate a worthy individual for this award. The nominee cannot have won this award previously. This is a once in a lifetime award. The nomination form and letter of support (see below) are to be sent to the ESSFTA Corresponding Secretary before July 1, 2026. (Corresponding Secretary information can be found below) The nominations will be taken to the Board of Governors for review and decision.
The Committee
Pam Holt – Chairperson • Cathy Flanders • Dean Koehler • Phil Lincoln • Mike Nolan • Susan Souza • Gary Soper