About Bark Standard
Bark Standard exists for one reason: small dog owners deserve health information that’s actually useful — not clickbait, not dense veterinary-textbook language, and not a vague “ask your vet” non-answer.
We focus specifically on small and toy breeds — Bichons, Schnauzers, Poodles, Pugs, and their small-bodied cousins — because their health issues don’t always get the attention they deserve in general pet health content. Chronic conditions like pancreatitis, diabetes, and age-related decline show up differently in small dogs, and that’s what we dig into: what actually changes after a diagnosis, what food genuinely helps, and what a realistic long-term outlook looks like.
Every article is built the same way: pull from veterinary and academic sources — AAHA, AVMA, Cornell, VCA, PubMed, and similar — verify the numbers rather than repeat whatever’s circulating online, and lay it out clearly enough to actually use before your next vet visit.
Who’s behind this
Bark Standard is written by Tobias Fenn, who has spent the last 30 years caring for small dogs — currently a senior Bichon Frise and a much younger one still figuring things out — along with time in the pet supplement industry researching ingredients and formulations. Tobias isn’t a veterinarian, and nothing here is meant to replace one.
A note on what this site is (and isn’t)
Nothing on Bark Standard is veterinary advice. It’s meant to help you understand your dog’s condition well enough to ask better questions and make informed decisions alongside your vet — not to replace a diagnosis, a treatment plan, or an emergency visit. If your dog is showing signs of a medical emergency, contact your vet or an emergency animal hospital right away.
Get in touch
Questions, corrections, or something you’d like to see covered? Reach out at hello@barkstandard.com.