In the latest episode of The Pets Mag Podcast, Marie Carter-Robb speaks to Marisa Heath, director of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW), about the Innate Health Assessment, or IHA.

The free, ten-point assessment allows anyone, from breeders to prospective puppy buyers, to consider within minutes whether a dog’s body shape may compromise its health and welfare.

Developed by Heath and APGAW legal adviser Vanessa Barnes with Professor Dan O’Neill of the Royal Veterinary College, the IHA is backed by organisations including the British Veterinary Association, RSPCA, Dogs Trust and Battersea.

“It’s not about banning any breeds,” Heath explains. “It’s asking people to consider how they breed those dogs.”

The non-statutory tool does not replace breed-specific health testing. Instead, it is designed to help people recognise visible conformation problems and encourage gradual changes towards healthier dogs, such as longer noses, fewer skin folds and less prominent eyes.

During the episode, Heath discusses the thinking behind the assessment, misconceptions surrounding its launch and the challenge of improving canine health without narrowing genetic diversity. The conversation also explores puppy imports, breeder traceability and the enforcement of Britain’s animal welfare laws.

Watch the full interview now on The Pets Mag Podcast.