Head & Paws is built around practical decisions, careful sourcing and a clear distinction between general information and professional advice.
Balanced, practical and proportionate guidance
Head & Paws aims to help dog owners make informed, confident decisions. Our guidance explains what is normal, what may change, why those changes occur and what owners can reasonably do. We highlight positive indicators and reassuring outcomes wherever the evidence supports them, without overlooking genuine health or welfare risks.
We avoid presenting every variation as a problem or every symptom as an emergency. Clear, proportionate warnings remain essential where prompt professional assistance can protect an animal’s wellbeing.
For substantial advice, our editorial checks cover normal variation, changes and causes, safe practical action, proportionate professional support and what happens next. We distinguish supporting clinical evidence from general owner advice and explain uncertainty. Translations must preserve the same practical meaning and level of urgency.
Who is responsible
Personally run by Luke Allan.
Head & Paws is an independent, non-commercial information resource based in Scotland. Luke Allan owns and runs the website. It is not a veterinary practice, a registered charity or an active limited company. The guidance is general information and does not replace professional advice.
01
People first
Every page should help an owner understand, decide or act. We do not publish filler simply to target a search phrase.
02
Sources before certainty
Health, welfare and legal claims should lead back to veterinary bodies, governments, established charities or other primary authorities where available.
03
Typical is not guaranteed
Breed, age and life stage can inform a decision, but they do not determine an individual dog’s temperament, healthy weight or suitability.
04
Limits made visible
We say when evidence is limited, information varies by place, or a question belongs with a vet or qualified behaviour professional.
Use the strongest source available.
We prioritise current legislation and government guidance, recognised veterinary and professional bodies, established animal-welfare organisations, peer-reviewed research and authoritative service providers. Lived experience can make guidance more practical, but it does not replace clinical or legal evidence.
Original guidance, not borrowed authority.
External material is summarised in our own words and linked clearly. A source supports a claim; it does not imply that the organisation has endorsed Head & Paws.
UK first, location made clear.
We use UK terminology by default and identify when law or guidance differs across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. International material is labelled so owners can distinguish general advice from country-specific requirements.
Corrections & review
Trust includes changing the record.
Guidance is reviewed when sources, legislation or professional recommendations change. If something appears inaccurate, unclear or overstated, tell us. We will check the point and correct it where required rather than defend wording that no longer serves dog owners well.
Outdoor hazard pages cite their supporting sources and actual review date. Location is a navigation aid, not surveillance. No live hazard, service-availability or site-safety certification is offered. Reviews should distinguish checked claims, source-access limitations and unresolved local questions; dates advance only for material actually reviewed.
How we maintain guidance
We check guidance against authoritative evidence and correct material errors when identified. Important safety or legal developments can require earlier assessment. A displayed review date records a substantive check, not a template or publication update. Report a concern through our correction contact; general guidance cannot replace individual professional advice.
How to read our guidance and news
Our guidance provides general education, not an individual veterinary, behavioural or legal assessment. It does not claim independent clinical validation or professional endorsement. Follow your treating veterinary team’s instructions and the rules for your location.
Review dates describe the checks stated on each page. A review of a targeted addition, translation or source is not a fresh review of the whole page. Changes to layout do not renew review or news publication dates.
News sources and corrections
Original summaries and practical context, with clear links to the evidence. Photographs are used only with verified reuse rights; otherwise stories remain text-led. No adverts or paid placements.
Sources remain linked beside the relevant guidance or within the page’s “About” section. News publication, event and source dates are distinguished. Older reporting remains in the archive; significant updates and corrections should be identified.