The chart shows a comparison of 4 bond funds for 2 years. In order of best performing:
1)
Pimco Total Return ETF (BOND)
2) Dodge & Cox Income (DODIX)
3) Pimco Total Return fund (PTTRX)
4) Total Bond Mkt (VBTLX)
Notice that the Total Return ETF has done better then the Total Return fund. They may eventually converge ... someday. Meanwhile I hold BOND and DODIX and have for most of that 2 year period.
And a guy who loves his cat couldn't be all that bad. For my bond money Gross has done just fine. Performance is only 100% of the picture. Plus I really like his monthly blog but it's still all about performance.