Varieties A variety is a division of a breed for show purposes, based on coat type, size or color. Varieties are not indicated on registration certificates. Longhaired, Smooth, Wirehaired. The official standards of all the breeds AKC recognizes are compiled in its official publication, The Complete Dog Book . A breed standard is a word description of what the ideal dog of that breed looks like.
Judges use the standard as a guide when evaluating dogs at a show.
Each animal in competition is compared with the judge's mental image of the perfect dog described in the standard.