The World Dog Federation is the world canine organization. It comprises Official Members and contractual partners (one member per country) who each issue their own pedigrees and train their own judges.

The WDF ensures that pedigrees and judges are mutually recognized by all WDF members.

The WDF recognizes 379 breeds. Each of them is the “property” of a specific country. The countries ‘owners’ of the breeds draw up the standard of these breeds (detailed description of the ideal type of the breed), in collaboration with the Standards and the Scientific Commissions of the WDF. The translation, updating and publication of the standards are handled by the WDF. These standards are the reference for judges at shows held in WDF member countries, but also for breeders in their quest to produce high quality dogs.

Each Contracting Member or Partner conducts International Conformation Shows as well as International Working (Utility, Tracking, Nordic Style, Mondioring) Trials and Trials/Hunting, International Agility, Obedience and Dog Dancing , international racing and coursing and international breeding trials. The results of these competitions/tests are sent to the WDF headquarters where they are processed and approved. When a dog has achieved a certain number of awards, it is eligible for the title of International Champion in Beauty, Show, Work, Beauty and Work, Agility, Obedience, Dog Dancing, Race, Beauty and Performance or Herding. These titles are homologated by the WDF extension.

Furthermore, every breeder can apply for the international registration of his kennel name through his national canine organization.

Organizational Structure of the WDF

WDF General Assembly

WDF General Committee (Executive Committee, Members, Executive Director)

WDF Commissions

WDF mandatory Commissions (International Drafting Commission, Commission of Expert World Judges, Disciplinary and Arbitration Commission, Dog Registry Commission, Dog Event Commission, Marketing and Advertising Commission)

WDF non-mandatory commissions

WDF Honorary President and Members

The current Board of Directors is made up of the founding members, who formed the first commission of the world Board.
Every year starting from 2024 elections will be held for new entries in the steering committee, these people will be chosen on the merits of professional ethics and candidates for elections to fill this role.
Applicants will be selected from directors of member countries who have accumulated over one year of membership with the WDF.
Currently the members who fill the role of the world governing council are listed in the federation’s registration report.

List of International Expert Judges registered in the WDF world register

The Federation is particularly keen on the selection of its World Experts who follow a complete training process that makes them absolute excellence in selective judging within the prestigious rings.
The WDF team of Experts is listed below and is constantly growing and updating to offer member states a broad group of professionals for the selection of judges in international level exhibitions.