Glossary

Breed standard

The written description of an ideal dog of a breed, covering size, proportions, coat, colour, movement and temperament, used to judge dogs and guide breeding.

Also called: standard, official breed standard, breed description, standard of perfection

A breed standard is the written blueprint of a breed. It describes the ideal dog in words: height and weight, head shape, ears, eyes, bite, coat and colour, the way the dog moves and its typical temperament. In the United States the national breed club writes the standard and the American Kennel Club approves it. Other registries publish their own versions, and the countries that own a breed usually control its standard internationally.

Judges at a dog show measure each dog against the standard, and responsible breeders use it to choose which dogs to pair. The standard also lists faults and disqualifications, such as a coat colour that is not allowed.

A standard is a description, not a law, and not a health guarantee. Standards change over time, and a dog can match its standard closely and still have health problems. Pet owners do not need a dog that fits it perfectly.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Conformation A dog show event in which each purebred dog is judged on how closely its structure and movement match its written breed standard. Purebred A dog whose parents and ancestors belong to one recognised breed and are recorded in a registry, so its ancestry can be traced on paper. Kennel registry An organisation that keeps records of dogs and their parentage, issues registration papers and pedigrees, and often runs shows and sports. Stack The standing pose a show dog holds so a judge can see its structure, set by the handler (hand stack) or held by the dog on its own (free stack).