...to do with working ability? The AKC dog show crowd argues that dogs closer to their "breed standard" have better working ability. And that is totally false. AKC show dogs probably have some of the least working drive possible. True working dogs look nothing like AKC show dogs. AKC show dogs (especially larger breeds) are bred for things like head size, mass, bone, and topline. They are not bred for functionality. Sure they health test and stuff, but still that has nothing to do with true working drive and ability. Put a show dog up against a true working dog, and the show dog will perform pathetically. Sure the show dog will look "cooler", but that's about it.I personally don't care about working ability much, and I think show dogs look cool, but they shouldn't pretend that show dogs are something they are not. Conformation dog shows are simply beauty contests, nothing more.Opinions?

Pure snobbery my friend. If you want a dog who is bred for work, look for field trial dogs, or dogs bred for farms.

On one point you are absolutely correct: conformation dog shows are simply beauty contests although their true intent is to assess breeding stock. That's why it is called a "breed" ring.