Who develops the conformation standards for AKC breeds?

The conformation standards for American Kennel Club (AKC) breeds are developed by the breed's parent club. Parent clubs are organizations dedicated to the promotion of a specific breed, and they consist of experienced breeders and enthusiasts who have a deep understanding of the breed's characteristics, history, and needs. These clubs create a breed standard that describes the ideal physical and temperamental traits of the breed, which is used by judges in conformation dog shows to evaluate how well individual dogs adhere to those qualities.

The AKC Board of Directors does not typically engage in the development of breed-specific conformation standards; rather, their role is more focused on overseeing the overall operations of the AKC and its policies. While professional breeders may contribute to discussions on breed standards, it is primarily the responsibility of the parent club to formalize and ratify these standards. Dog training organizations, on the other hand, focus on the training and behavior of dogs rather than their conformation standards.

This makes the involvement of the breed's parent club central to ensuring that the standards reflect the best practices and ideals for maintaining the breed's integrity.