Our Editorial Standards

Anyone relying on a platform should know how it works. Here is what we recommend and what we do not, how we choose sources, when we accept money and when we decline it.

What we recommend

We recommend products, service providers, and content that we have either tested ourselves, reviewed editorially, or verified through federation membership. Each recommendation is signed by name by a member of the editorial team and dated. The person who writes it has seen the dog, the training concept, or the business themselves, not just read the advertising.

What we do not recommend

We do not recommend what we cannot verify. We also do not recommend if self-interest would distort the decision. Specifically:

• No pay-for-placement; paid service providers appear visibly as such, not in an editorial recommendation list.
• No recommendation of products that we have not tested ourselves or through a named expert.
• No recommendation against better knowledge; if an affiliate partner offers a product that fails in our tests, we write that, and the affiliate link is omitted.

How we choose sources

For medical, legal, and animal welfare-relevant topics, we work with:

• Veterinary studies (peer-reviewed, preferably with DACH relevance or a European data basis)
• Statements from recognised federations (SKG, VDH, ÖKV, Swiss Animal Protection (SAP), German Animal Welfare Federation, Four Paws)
• Official and statutory regulations (Swiss Federal Council, BMLEH DE, BMASGPK AT, cantons and federal states for regional regulations)
• Direct information from veterinarians, trainers, and experts with documented qualifications

Anonymous “experts say” statements do not occur with us. Anyone quoted has a name and verifiable context.

How we mark advertising

Premium entries in the directory carry a specific label “Premium Entry” and appear in a separate visual track. Affiliate links are technically marked with rel=”nofollow sponsored” and identified in the text as recommendations with a commission notice. There is no disguised advertising in guide articles.

When we accept money

• Verification level “Verified” for service providers: free during the build-up phase; early partners retain full functionality permanently. The verification seal is awarded for passing the check, not for money, and it does not bring better ranking. Those who fail the test remain unverified; any already paid contribution is refunded.
• Premium features for accommodations, gastronomy, products: Extended display options, no content preference.
• Affiliate commissions: For product recommendations with online purchase. Visibly marked. The person writing the test does not personally earn from the commission; separation between editorial and business areas is organisationally ensured.
• Donations via Payrexx: Flow into the editorial team and animal welfare partners.

When we decline money

• We do not accept money for writing positively about someone.
• We do not accept money for writing negatively about a competitor.
• We do not accept money to delete or soften content if the facts are substantiated. For justified corrections, we update without payment.

How we correct errors

In the event of an error, we publish a visible correction at the beginning of the article stating what was wrong, when we corrected it, and what the correct statement is. We do not silently delete errors.

For minor errors (typos, small date shifts), we correct them and note “Corrected on [date]” at the end of the article. For substantial errors that change the direction of a statement in the article, the notice is placed prominently at the top.

How we work with AI

We use AI tools to support research, structure extensive data sets, and enrich archived content (e.g. cartoon descriptions). Published content goes through the editorial team in stages, visible per article: editorially managed, provided with verified sources, checked professionally or by a vet. There is no publication “from bot to reader” without human review. For content where AI descriptions were substantially involved, we disclose this.

How we handle owner data

Profile entries are private by default. Missing status and memorial status are only made public after explicit opt-in. No tracking cookies, no sale of owner data, no AI training with your inputs; you can see the details in our Data Ethics.

How you can correct us

If you find an error or have a source for a missing statement, write to us. Email redaktion@rundum.dog. We reply personally, usually within 48 hours on working days.