What legal responsibilities come with owning a dog? And can the law do more to improve the health and welfare of future generations of dogs?

In this episode, Ben is joined by animal welfare lawyer Vanessa Barnes, legal adviser to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW), to explore the legal framework surrounding dog ownership, puppy buying and responsible breeding.

Together they discuss: • The legal responsibilities every dog owner should know. • What to look for when buying a puppy. • Licensed breeders and why licensing matters. • How animal welfare law applies to dog breeding. • The legal challenges surrounding extreme conformation. • The Innate Health Assessment (IHA) and the misinformation surrounding it. • Whether the law could play a bigger role in improving dog welfare.

Whether you're thinking about getting a puppy or already own a dog, this episode explains how the law protects dogs, and where it still has room to improve.

The Dog Breeding Reform Group recommends that anyone buying a puppy should choose a breeder who fully health tests both parents before breeding.

The recommended tests vary between breeds and may include DNA testing, screening schemes such as hip, elbow and heart assessments, eye examinations, and other veterinary health checks designed to reduce the risk of inherited disease.

You can find breed-specific health testing recommendations and further information at: https://dbrg.uk/breed-health-information/

Health testing cannot guarantee a healthy puppy, but it is an important part of responsible breeding and helps breeders and puppy buyers make more informed decisions.