How is a breed standard determined and can it ever change?

Answer 1

Each breed club determines the process that it would take to amend a breed standard. In all breeds, it's a laborious process (usually debated by many people who can't easily agree). Once the parent club agrees to amend their breed standard, they submit the amendments to the AKC for approval. The AKC has a committee that would review the change(s) and the reasons for the change(s). The committee might suggest the parent club alter the wording somewhat, or they might approve the change(s) as is. They can also deny any changes (maybe the changes conflict with other AKC rules and bylaws). The committee would then present the amendments to all delegates representing all member clubs for a vote. At this point the standard would be ratified, or refused changes by the AKC.
An example of a breed standard amendment that was fairly recently approved was the changing of the name of the Jack Russel Terrier to the Parson's Russel Terrier.

Answer 2

Breed standrad is determined way back at the start of a "breed" The people who are trying to breed a particualr "type" decide on what traits they are looking for, what type of job the dog will be doing, etc. Once a "standard" is developed breeding for that standard begins.Only those dogs that come close to the standard are bred together.Very, very careful records are maintained of pedigree. It takes many, many years of very careful breeding to actually establish a breed. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. There needs to be very careful breeding practices, no willy-nilly breeding.
A standard could possibly be changed but it takes work on that end, there needs to be a very good, proven reason to make the change and it needs to be established and voted on by all of the parent club board/officers/members.

Answer 3

Per AKC:

Breed standard A word picture describing how the perfect dog of a breed should look, move, and behave. The breed standard is owned by the parent club, with full use extended to the AKC

Answer 4

The breed standard is set by the breeds parent club. It is very hard to change a standard and is not something quickly done either. There has been talk of changing something in my breeds standard for YEARS.

Answer 5

The founders of the breed club wrote the breed standard when they initiated the club. It was a panel of breeders and experts of the day. Occasionally the standard has been updated/revised, but most standards have remained the same since shortly after WWII..For the ordinary enthusiast, it is impossible to make changes, as a committee is required to convene..and debate, and come to an agreement..It is virtually impossible to get a committee of any quorum to agree to anything anymore, so changes are extremely rare..as they should be...
The interpretation of the standard is entirely different..Every judge interprets the standard according his/her or priorities and preferences....That is why a dog must finish under different judges..