Clear sources. Honest expectations.

What PetMatch does

PetMatch is a free dog-breed discovery and lifestyle-matching resource. Explore documented breed identities, compare source-linked care traits and use a local quiz to think through the routine you can offer a dog.

Our guides combine registry information with clearly labeled editorial planning estimates. PetMatch does not provide veterinary diagnoses or claim veterinary credentials. General educational breed information cannot replace advice from a veterinarian, a qualified trainer or someone who knows the individual dog.

Your quiz answers stay in your browser session. No account or email address is needed. Try the lifestyle matching quiz or compare breed care needs.

What the catalog currently covers

207 records include source-linked AKC care data. The catalog combines official FCI identities with additional documented AKC breeds. An identity record is not a completed care profile. The matching pool currently contains 12 curated breeds with verified photography and editorial lifestyle ratings.

Incomplete profiles remain available for discovery, clearly marked, excluded from matching and search-engine indexing, and omitted from the sitemap. Unknown means information is unavailable or awaiting research; it never means a low rating.

Complete reviewed guides include a sourced identity, measurements, coat and trait information, editorial description and history, health overview, living considerations, a monthly cost estimate, and a verified photograph. Climate and cat suitability may remain explicitly unknown where reliable breed-wide conclusions are unavailable. Completion does not mean scientific certainty or an exhaustive veterinary reference.

Browse the catalog →

Sources and registry differences

• FCI official nomenclature: identity, registry group, country attribution, and links to standards.
• American Kennel Club breed guides: source-linked dimensions, lifespan, coat facts, trait ratings, and parent-club screening recommendations.
• UK Kennel Club: further registry and health research planned; systematic import is not complete.

Alternate spellings and documented aliases share a single ID. Registry-defined varieties are not silently counted as extra breeds. The Poodle record currently covers the Standard variety only. American Akita and Japanese Akita are separate identities despite differences in registry naming. Origin attributions may reflect historic roots or the country maintaining the standard; differing source attributions are retained.

How your compatibility estimate is calculated

The quiz uses a local weighted average of trait alignment. Base dimensions use AKC trait ratings from 1–5 where available, with clearly identified editorial apartment and first-owner ratings. Exercise compares your chosen activity level with the breed’s source energy rating; size uses your preference; home, family, experience, and coat needs use the corresponding ratings. Additional scored dimensions use known care data or clearly identified planning assumptions.

home

Weight 2

exercise

Weight 3

household

Weight 2

experience

Weight 2

size

Weight 1

coat

Weight 2

homeSize

Weight 1

noise

Weight 2

climate

Weight 2

budget

Weight 2

training

Weight 2

Each scored dimension contributes its alignment × weight; the sum is divided by the weights actually used. A 90% result means high alignment within this editorial model, not a 90% chance of happiness or a scientifically validated probability. Work schedule, yard access, pet introductions, and unknown climate suitability produce care guidance without a numerical contribution.

Budget compares your routine-care allowance with both ends of the estimated monthly range; covering only the lower end receives partial alignment. A budget that only covers the lower end is flagged as potentially tight. Noise uses AKC vocal-tendency ratings. Climate penalties only apply to known sensitivities. Short training windows flag high mental-stimulation needs. Individual dogs, ages, health, upbringing, and circumstances vary.

Photography has its own review gate

Each image belongs to one canonical breed ID and explicitly identified variety. Fixed local assets, source URLs, license terms, attribution, alt text, and review status stay in the image manifest. Unlicensed, mismatched, unreviewed, or missing assets render a placeholder. Automated mapping tests supplement visual inspection; they do not replace it.

The original Golden Retriever homepage photograph is independently pinned and preserved. 1 breed portraits are still pending licensed source selection and visual verification. We do not claim those photographs are complete.

Remaining phases

Continue source and alias review for the remaining identities; add detailed breed-specific histories, health and care guidance; expand climate and experience coverage; complete UK Kennel Club cross-references; source and visually review pending portraits; then admit reviewed breeds to matching and search indexing. Features remain free and run from local data without paid services.