Sources and Source Policy

PupWiki uses sources according to what they are qualified to support. A source used for breed description may not be appropriate for medical guidance, and a commercial feed may not be appropriate for editorial recommendations.

Source authority tiers

Tier 1

Government, veterinary & scientific bodies

Examples: AVMA, WSAVA, OFA, CDC, FDA, Merck Veterinary Manual, peer-reviewed veterinary journals. Used for health, nutrition, safety, and behavioral guidance.

Tier 2

Breed registries, clubs & animal organizations

Examples: AKC, UKC, breed parent clubs, ASPCA, CCPDT. Used for breed standards, breed descriptions, and general ownership guidance. Not medical authority.

Tier 3

Market data, industry reports & owner surveys

Examples: APPA National Pet Owners Survey, insurance industry data, practitioner consensus. Used for cost estimates and ownership statistics. Limitations always noted.

Source scope rules

Each source is used only within its area of authority:

Why sources matter for dog decisions

Dog owners encounter an enormous amount of unverified breed information, viral health myths, and commercially motivated content. PupWiki's source governance exists to ensure that what we publish can be traced back to organisations and researchers with the standing to make those claims — and to be honest when our confidence is limited.

Freshness and limitations

Sources are checked periodically and the "last checked" date is recorded in our source registry. Breed trait data is reviewed at least annually. Health and nutrition sources are reviewed when authoritative guidance updates. Cost data is refreshed at least annually.

Where a source has known limitations — such as voluntary submission bias in health databases, or regional cost variation — those limitations are noted.

Source index

The following sources are used across PupWiki breed profiles, guides, and tools.

Tier 1 Government, veterinary & scientific

  • Canine Health Research and Disease Studies AKC Canine Health Foundation (AKCCHF)

    Used for: breed-specific cancer risk data, genetic disease research, health initiative reference

    Research foundation; findings represent ongoing research and may not yet reflect clinical consensus.

    Last checked: 2026-05-31

  • AAHA Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)

    Used for: safe weight-loss rate, body condition score interpretation, weight monitoring guidance

    Guideline source; individual weight-loss plans should be confirmed with a veterinarian, especially for dogs with existing health conditions.

    Last checked: 2026-06-10

  • Animal Behavior Resources American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB)

    Used for: aggression and fear/anxiety guidance, professional referral pathways, desensitisation and counter-conditioning approach

    Educational resource from a specialist veterinary college; not a substitute for an individual behavioural assessment.

    Last checked: 2026-06-10

  • General Pet Care — Adoption and Behaviour American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

    Used for: adoption settling-in guidance, rescue dog behaviour expectations

    General owner-education resource; not a substitute for individual guidance from the adopting organisation or a veterinarian.

    Last checked: 2026-06-10

  • Dog Care Resources American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

    Used for: general care guidelines, preventive care, bloat awareness, nutrition guidance

    General guidance; individual dog care should be discussed with a licensed veterinarian.

    Last checked: 2026-05-31

  • Position Statement on Humane Dog Training American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB)

    Used for: training methodology guidance, opposition to aversive training, behaviour problem approach

    Position statement; evidence base is professional consensus rather than a single clinical study.

    Last checked: 2026-06-04

  • Understanding Pet Food Labels Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)

    Used for: nutritional adequacy statement, ingredient labelling rules, life stage claims

    Regulatory minimum standards; does not rank or endorse specific brands.

    Last checked: 2026-06-04

  • Dogs | Healthy Pets, Healthy People CDC

    Used for: health disclaimers, general dog safety

    General public health source; not breed-specific diagnosis.

    Last checked: 2026-05-28

  • Merck Veterinary Manual for Dog Owners Merck Veterinary Manual

    Used for: owner-facing health education

    Educational reference; not a substitute for veterinary care.

    Last checked: 2026-05-28

  • OFA Health Testing Database Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)

    Used for: health certification data, orthopedic screening, genetic disease reference, CAER eye certification

    Statistical data from voluntary submissions; not a comprehensive census of breed health incidence.

    Last checked: 2026-05-31

  • WSAVA Global Veterinary Guidelines WSAVA

    Used for: health education, preventive care guidance

    Guideline source; does not constitute veterinary advice for individual dogs.

    Last checked: 2026-05-30

  • WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines WSAVA

    Used for: nutrition education

    Guideline source; does not endorse specific products.

    Last checked: 2026-05-28

Tier 2 Breed registries & animal organizations

Tier 3 Market data, industry & other

See something outdated, unclear, or incorrect? We welcome corrections — just send us the page URL, the issue, and a supporting source if available.

Submit a correction →

Source index last updated: 2026-06-06

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