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.