New tool launched to counter ‘extreme conformation’ breeding crisis
The development team includes director of the parliamentary group Marisa Heath, legal adviser Vanessa Barnes and professor Dan O’Neill
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A new tool designed to curb irresponsible dog breeding and reduce the prevalence of extreme physical traits has been launched by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare.
The Innate Health Assessment tool – a free 10-point checklist – is intended to help breeders and owners assess a dog’s suitability for breeding.
Developed with PetProov and veterinary researchers, the tool draws on 15 years of work by the Royal Veterinary College. It focuses on conformations that experts say do not occur naturally and are linked to breathing problems, skin disease, eye conditions, spinal issues and reduced life expectancy.
The checklist offers visual guidance for users to evaluate a dog against 10 criteria commonly associated with poor welfare. It can be used without specialist equipment and is aimed at breeders, owners and prospective buyers. Dogs that do not meet the criteria should not be used for breeding, according to the group.
The initiative is supported by organisations including the UK Centre for Animal Law, the British Veterinary Association, Dogs Trust, the RSPCA, Battersea and the Royal Veterinary College. The development team includes director of the parliamentary group Marisa Heath, legal adviser Vanessa Barnes and professor Dan O’Neill.
Heath said: “Breeding of dogs with extreme characteristics is one of the biggest welfare issues affecting our pets and thousands of dogs struggle to perform their basic functions daily owing to this problem.
“We hope the Government will support this initiative and show that the UK will be a leading nation on animal welfare and will protect the public from owning pets that live in pain and discomfort.”
O’Neill added: “Dogs are much loved members of our families but sadly many suffer shortened and miserable lives due to severe health and welfare problems linked to their extreme body shape.
“APGAW’s IHA tool helps breeders to avoid breeding from animals who have poor innate health and therefore acts to reduce the suffering of future generations of dogs caused by having extreme body shapes.”
