Editorial Standards
How we research, grade, and correct what we publish, and how we stay independent.
Anyone can publish a breed page. What you should ask is where the information came from and whether the person writing it has anything to gain by bending it. Here is how we work.
Who writes and reviews
Every breed profile is written and graded by Aaron Seminoff, a dog trainer with 25 years of hands-on experience and more than 50 fosters. Profiles are not generated and rubber-stamped. Each one reflects time spent with the breed, conversations with owners and breeders, and cross-checks against veterinary and kennel-club sources for health and standard data.
How a profile gets built
- We start from first-hand experience with the breed, then fill gaps with breed-club material, veterinary literature, and owner communities.
- Grades for temperament, trainability, energy, shedding, and noise come from observed behavior across many individual dogs, not a single example.
- Health notes name the conditions a breed is actually prone to, even when they are inconvenient for a flattering write-up.
- Owner quotes are real, sourced, and linked. We do not invent testimonials.
Honesty about grades
We use Low, Medium, and High bands instead of decimal scores because false precision is its own kind of lie. A grade describes the typical dog of that breed; individuals vary, and a good breeder or an early socialization plan can move the needle. We say when that is the case.
Corrections
When we get something wrong, we fix it and we do not hide it. If you spot an error, email [email protected] and we will review it. Substantive corrections are made promptly.
Independence
We do not accept payment to raise a grade, recommend a breed, or feature a product. No breeder, brand, or advertiser has any say over what a profile says. The Pet Zone runs no display ads and no pop-ups. If our funding model ever changes in a way that could affect coverage, we will disclose it here first.
What we are not
We are not a substitute for your veterinarian or for a trainer who can assess your dog in person. Our profiles help you choose a breed and understand it. Medical and behavioral decisions for your specific dog should involve a professional who can see it.
Last updated: June 2026.