The American Kennel Club is the "parent " club of many individual Breed Clubs. (For example, the "Great Dane Club of America" or the "Brittany Spaniel club of America". These clubs are "members" of their giant "parent club", the American Kennel club. The American Kennel club is also the "parent club" of many local "kennel clubs". Together, these varied groups put on all of the dog show. However, the American Kennel Club sets the rules, and governs the activities of the shows, while the "Breed clubs" OR the regional kennel clubs, sponsor and host the shows.

The American Kennel Club approves the written standards for each breed., which is set up and written by the "parent breed club" and submitted to the American Kennel Club. When a show is held, the show dogs that are entered are each judged, in each of their classes, according to the standard of the breed which has been approved by the American Kennel Club. Only the breeds "recognized" by the American Kennel club can be entered into a dog show.

For the novice exhibitor it is highly recommended that they belong to the “parent breed club” and participate in the activites of the club to learn the most they can about their breed of choice. Since these clubs usually only hold once yearly large National events, the novice exhibitor should also belong to their local regional all breed club . Belonging to one of the local clubs is a way for the novice exhibitor to learn all about the great family sport of showing dogs.