On 18 November the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare launched the Innate Health Assessment, a visual tool designed to identify harmful breeding practices in dogs.

The assessment targets extreme conformation that compromises animals’ ability to breathe, move and live comfortably — a problem APGAW says is particularly acute in breeds such as French Bulldogs, which are small, adaptable to living in flats and undeniably photogenic yet prone to serious health issues when physical form is prioritized over welfare. These harmful breeding practices are widespread across many breeds, with genetic studies revealing that the average inbreeding level across 227 dog breeds is close to 25%. This substantial inbreeding is associated with increased disease risk, highlighting a broader issue beyond just the French Bulldog. The group highlighted widespread welfare concerns in dog breeding but did not cite a specific figure of 75,000 dogs in its main launch materials. Puppy Mill Statistics [2022]: Facts & Numbers by Year – Spots.com

The Innate Health Assessment was built on a concept developed at the Royal Veterinary College, and the college is listed among organisations connected to the initiative. Dan O’Neill, Professor at the Royal Veterinary College, is named among those associated with the launch.

APGAW said the new tool has drawn endorsements from a range of veterinary and animal-welfare organisations. Supporters named in the launch materials include the British Veterinary Association, Dogs Trust, Battersea, Blue Cross and the RSPCA, alongside PDSA and The Kennel Club.

Legal adviser Vanessa Barnes framed the tool as a way to involve the public directly in breeding decisions. “We are putting the power into the hands of the general public to end the century of suffering caused to dogs by irresponsible extreme conformation breeding practices,” she said. This shift aims to not only educate potential pet owners but also to encourage responsible breeding practices that can help mitigate health issues, as currently around 17.6% of dogs in the UK are classified as brachycephalic breeds vulnerable to such risks.

Adopt or shop responsibly: Breeding, rescue, and my evolution, director of APGAW, urged political backing. “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 having pets that live in pain and discomfort,” she said.

Professor Lord Trees, co-chair of APGAW, described extreme conformation as a visible but persistent problem. “The fashion for extreme conformation is arguably the most chronic and prevalent welfare issue in dogs in the UK, yet it persists in plain sight in a nation of animal lovers,” he said.

APGAW has presented the Innate Health Assessment as a practical, accessible means of flagging dogs with exaggerated physical traits that can lead to health problems. The facts released alongside the launch emphasise the assessment’s focus on innate capacity to perform normal functions rather than on aesthetics. To further empower potential dog owners, they are encouraged to verify health and temperament testing by requesting documentation that both parents and grandparents have undergone health evaluations and genetic testing before making a purchase.

The Royal Veterinary College’s contribution is listed specifically as having developed the Innate Health Concept that underpins the assessment. Dan O’Neill’s association with the college aligns the tool with veterinary research and clinical expertise identified in the launch materials.

Coverage of the initiative has appeared in veterinary and animal-welfare channels; one report of the launch is available from Myvetcandy. Further commentary on breed-related health risks and prevalence can be found in pieces such as those linked by veterinary and pet-industry outlets, including Study uncovers UK’s most common dog breeds and health risks!.

APGAW has positioned the Innate Health Assessment as a tool for prospective owners, breeders and licensing officers to use when considering whether a dog should be used for breeding. The group urged wider uptake and called for official endorsement to amplify the tool’s reach.

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Original reporting: view the original article.