Making room for small ethical breeders

With Crufts taking place this weekend, we explore the future of dog breeding. Recent media attention has focused on breeding practices, conformation, the Innate Health Assessment Tool, and the Royal Kennel Club’s new nose‑to‑tail assessment / Breeding For Health Framework.

Mary catches up with Beverley Cuddy, a former podcast guest, to discuss these developments. A key theme of the conversation is the importance of involving breeders in discussions about the future of dog breeding. Beverley recently founded the Union of Dog People, representing those small scale breeders who believe that breeding a dog brings with it responsibility. 

As previously discussed on the podcast, puppy farming poses significant risks to animal welfare. Small, ethical breeders can and do play an important role in the fight against puppy farms, providing support and education for new dog owners, and enabling people to bring dogs into the their family that are healthy and socialised. 

There's a lot to discuss, with social media full of different points of view on the best way forward, from academics, charities, breeders and everyone who has spent their life with dogs. Hopefully, by working together, we can find a solution to the problem of extreme conformation and have many future generations of healthy, happy dogs. 

More Information

Welcome to the Union of Good Dog People - Dogs above everything

Breeding for health framework | The Royal Kennel Club

Innate Health Assessment | Promote Healthy Breeding Now

RKC and APGAW Dog Health Action Plan