What is sportsmanship and is it different in the AKC?

A recent issue of the AKC Gazette discusses sportsmanship.  The author believes that sportsmanship has a universal definition.  She refers to sportsmanship being the conduct and attitude befitting participants in a sport; it is participating in a sport according to the rules, spirit, and etiquette for the sport while striving for fair play, courtesy towards opponents, ethical behavior, integrity, and grace in losing.  Sportsmanship is demonstrating generosity and genuine concern for others and should encompass all that is good in human nature (Dr. Laura Van Horn).

The AKC board policy manual contains the code of ethics and further defines sportsmanship.  Though the policy manual clearly discusses sportsmanship at a dog show, I have come to wonder shouldn't sportsmanship pertain to outside the dog show ring as well.

The author provides examples of poor sportsmanship which would merit AKC intervention:

            Insulting or verbally assaulting another exhibitor, dog breeder, or fancier.

            Storming out of a show ring in a huff.

            Threatening or physically intimidating a fellow exhibitor or their dogs.

Libeling or spreading rumors about fellow fanciers, breeders, or exhibitors online or in person.

            Discouraging newcomers to the sport or to the breed.

            Not treating others with fairness or honesty.

While the author asks if we each represent the AKC code of sportsmanship in our behaviors, I wonder where the ethics of good sportsmanship really begins.  Is it good sportsmanship when someone disses a fellow breeder to a potential buyer?  Is it good sportsmanship for one club to infringe on another club's specialty?  Is it good sportsmanship for officers of a club to promote themselves in their advertising and recruiting rather than the club?  Just some thoughts to ponder on the way to AKC acceptance.