The Fédération Cynologique Internationale is the World Canine Organization. It includes 99 members and contract partners (one member per country) that each issue their own pedigrees and train their own judges.

The FCI recognizes 353 breeds. Each of them is the 'property' of a specific country. The 'owner' countries of the breeds write the standard of these breeds (detailed description of the ideal type of the breed), in co-operation with the Standards and Scientific Commissions of the FCI. The translation, updating and publication of the standards are carried out by the FCI. These standards are THE reference for the judges at shows held in the FCI member countries, but also for the breeders in their attempt to produce top-quality dogs.