Methodology

Scope

This page explains how PupWiki produces breed scores, cost estimates, fit scores, and tool outputs. We believe every number or recommendation should be explainable.

Breed trait data

Breed traits are derived from:

• Official breed standards from registry organizations (AKC, UKC).
• Veterinary references where breed-specific health traits are documented.
• Structured owner experience surveys (Phase 3 expansion).

Traits are expressed as ordinal levels (low, medium, high) rather than numeric scores to avoid false precision. Trait levels reflect general breed population tendencies, not guarantees about individual dogs.

Cost estimates

Cost estimates are based on:

• US national average pricing for food, routine veterinary care, flea/tick/heartworm prevention, and grooming.
• Breed-size cost adjustments (small, medium, large).
• Lifestyle tiers (budget, typical, premium) with documented multipliers.
• First-year estimates include one-time setup costs (supplies, initial vet visits, vaccines).

Cost estimates do not include: emergency veterinary care, major surgery, boarding, pet insurance, training classes, or city-specific cost adjustments (coming in Phase 3).

Confidence levels

• High — Based on multiple Tier 1 sources, reviewed by domain expert.
• Medium — Based on Tier 1–2 sources, reasonable assumptions, no expert review yet.
• Low — Limited data, estimated from proxies, or broad assumptions.

Fit scores

The Breed Fit tool produces a 0–100 score based on a simple weighted model: household type, experience level, and daily alone-time tolerance. This is a starting-point estimate, not a scientific assessment. Individual dogs vary significantly from breed averages.

Limitations

• All breed data reflects population averages; individual dogs vary widely.
• Cost data uses US national averages; local costs may be significantly different.
• Health watchlist items are educational awareness, not veterinary guidance.
• No tool output should replace consultation with a licensed veterinarian or reputable breeder.

Update cadence

Cost models are reviewed annually. Breed trait data is reviewed when authoritative sources update. All pages show a “last reviewed” date.

Data sources

Methodology last updated: 2026-05-29