[allmendream]

The selective pressure is the criteria by which a breeder chooses which animals to breed and which to not breed. The selective pressure can be towards looks, performance, affability as a pet; or any other criteria people choose. Any selective criteria, or even the lack of criteria; has its own selective pressure that will effect the evolution of the interbreeding population.

My point was and remains that the monomaniacal focus on looks above everything else that is the AKC standard is not a good thing for working breeds of dogs. Once you abandon the criteria of performance and decide to go with looks, you have changed the selective pressure being exerted upon the population; which will have a beneficial effect upon the looks of the population, but a detrimental effect upon its performance.

[Darnright]

>My point was and remains that the monomaniacal focus on looks above everything else that is the AKC standard is not a good thing for working breeds of dogs<

Here is a segment of the Anatolian Shepherd standard, that has absolutely NOTHING to do with the way the dog looks:

Temperament
Alert and intelligent, calm and observant. Instinctively protective, he is courageous and highly adaptable. He is very loyal and responsive. Highly territorial, he is a natural guard. Reserve around strangers and off its territory is acceptable. Responsiveness with animation is not characteristic of the breed. Overhandling would be discouraged.