Disclaimer

About these guides — please read first

Every Breedhandbook guide is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not veterinary advice, and it is not a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or care from a licensed veterinarian who has examined your dog.

Reading a guide, or acting on anything in it, does not create a veterinarian–client–patient relationship between you and the publisher, the authors, or any contributor.

Always seek the advice of your veterinarian, or another qualified animal health professional, with any questions you may have about your dog’s health, behaviour, diet, or medication. Never disregard professional veterinary advice, or delay seeking it, because of something you have read in one of our guides.

If you believe your dog is experiencing a medical emergency, contact your veterinarian or the nearest emergency veterinary clinic immediately. Do not wait, and do not attempt to treat an emergency using a guide alone.

Every dog is an individual. The information in a breed guide describes what is typical for that breed; your dog’s health, temperament, growth, and needs may differ, and results from any routine, schedule, or approach described will vary from dog to dog.

While we work to keep our guides accurate and current, veterinary knowledge changes, and a guide may not reflect the most recent research or guidelines at the time you read it. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the publisher and authors accept no liability for any loss, injury, or damage to any person or animal arising from the use of, or reliance on, the information in a guide.

Sources and verification

Every health claim in a Breedhandbook guide is checked against a named, tiered source, and the citation is printed beside the claim it supports. The full source list for each guide is collected in its Appendix A, so you can take any line straight to your vet and show them where it came from.

Our guides are not written or reviewed by a veterinarian. The organizations, clubs, and registries cited in them are not affiliated with Breedhandbook and do not endorse it.