The AKC does precious little to insure anything other than the superficial physical adherence to the standard.
If the AKC really cared about the soundness of the dogs that were being shown, a health check would be mandatory in order for a dog to receive it's final registration - or even be entered in a show..
That health check could encompass common hereditary ailments (HD, OFA screening, entropion, ectropion, etc.) and breed specific issues (VWD in Doberman's, Copper Toxicosis in Bedlingtons, Syringomyelia in Cavalier's) etc.
Without passing the health screening, the dog could not be shown or even registered. Any pekes, pugs or bulldogs that needed to be put on ice after doing a circuit of the ring would also be disqualified.
However, the AKC is more interested in registering as many dogs as they can rather than insuring the health of those it allows into it's registry. As it stands, watching Westminster is akin to watching a parade of freaks. Exaggerated jowls, droopy red eyes, extreme brachycephally, powdered skin folds..................it's hard to watch.
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