One group breeds mainly for conformation, and the other only concerns itself with working ability. As far as doing what is best for the breed, both groups are wrong. C onformation standards are the basis of a sound dog. By writing the breed standard, dedicated fanciers determine what the ideal specimen should look like. By deciding such things as the lay of shoulders, length of body in respect to height at withers, condition of coat, etc.
Good breeders know their breed's standard by heart.
F or example, the German Shepherd standard does not call for an over angulated rear assembly, or a hackney pony style gait. It requires balance. When one sees a conformation ring full of huffing and puffing, head bobbing dogs trotting at breakneck speed around the ring, you are actually seeing the end result of breeders who have lost their blueprints, and are trying to rebuid the animal to suit their fancy. It is a shame that so many breeders think only of how well their animal will do trotting around in a circle, but they do. It is ultimately damaging the breed they claim to love and admire so much.