Embracing Dog Show Evolution A Proposal for Reform in Purebred Dog Judging Culture

White Paper by Sasha Riess
July 2024

This paper examines how modern conformation culture—driven by aesthetic ideals—has unintentionally compromised the health, structure, and purpose of purebred dogs

Kennel clubs and dog shows have long shaped how we breed, present, and evaluate purebred dogs. Serving as cornerstones of breed culture, they influence public perception, guide breeding practices, and promote specific ideals of canine excellence. Yet as our understanding of dogs as a species continues to evolve, it is becoming increasingly clear that the very standards designed to preserve breed integrity may now be contributing to their decline.

This white paper presents a science-based proposal for reform—shifting the focus from surface-level aesthetics to functional harmony, structural integrity, and biomechanical soundness. It is grounded in over 65 years of combined professional experience, including the pioneering research of the late Dr. Eugene Yerusalimsky, whose work laid the foundation for objective, function-first evaluation models.

The goal is not to dismantle tradition, but to update it—to align breed standards with what is best for the dogs themselves. At the center of this proposal is a simple principle: excellence in dogs must serve the dog, not the show.

This is an invitation to judges, breeders, clubs, and organizations to lead with clarity, responsibility, and care—and to ensure that the future of dog shows reflects both scientific progress and ethical stewardship

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