What's a dog show? Well, in most cases, one is referring to a "conformation show." Although lure coursing, agility and obedience are also dog shows where dogs compete in performance events. At a conformation show, a judge examines dogs and places them in accordance to how close each dog compares with the judge's mental image of the "perfect" dog as described in the breed's official standard. A breed standard describes desirable structure, temperament and movement. In short, a standard describes the characteristics that allow the breed to perform
the function for which it was bred.
For more information on conformation events, check out the AKC's website.

AKC Grand Champion