About Dog Breeds & Needs
The honest, in-depth resource for choosing, raising, and living with all 205 AKC-recognized dog breeds.
Our Mission
Dog Breeds & Needs exists to help future and current dog owners make better decisions. Choosing a breed is one of the most consequential decisions in a person's life, the wrong fit creates years of stress for both human and dog, while the right fit shapes a decade or more of partnership.
We believe every breed deserves an honest, complete profile that covers what's wonderful and what's hard. We do not write puff pieces. We do not hide the difficult traits. We treat readers as adults who can weigh tradeoffs.
How We Research Breed Information
Every breed profile starts with the official AKC standard and the relevant national breed club's published material. We then layer in:
- Peer-reviewed veterinary research on breed-specific health conditions
- Conversations with breed club members, working breeders, and breed-specific rescue volunteers
- Health screening guidance from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and breed parent clubs
- Editorial review for clarity, accuracy, and practical usefulness for everyday owners
Every breed profile shows when it was last updated.
Our Commitment to Ethical Sourcing
We are committed to promoting responsible dog acquisition. That means giving equal weight to two ethical paths: adopting from a reputable rescue and buying from a responsible breeder.
We never link to puppy mills, pet store puppies, or commercial breeders. Our breeder finder steers readers to AKC-registered breeders with verifiable health testing. Our rescue directory only lists 501(c)(3) breed-specific rescues with transparent operations.
We do not accept payment from breeders or rescues for placement on the site. Affiliate links, when present, are clearly disclosed and never influence which breeders or rescues we recommend.
Our Team
Dog Breeds & Needs Editorial Team
Our editorial team has spent more than a decade researching, writing, and reviewing breed information for owners, breeders, and rescues across the United States.
Veterinary Review Panel
Selected breed and care content is reviewed by licensed veterinarians for medical accuracy.
Breed Specialists & Rescuers
We work with breed club members and breed-specific rescue volunteers across the country to capture nuance about temperament, training, and what life with each breed actually looks like.
Have a question, correction, or want to contribute? Reach us at editorial@dogbreedsandneeds.com.