On 19th November the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare (APGAW) launched the Innate Health Assessment (IHA).

It is an assessment of conformation that includes ten visible criteria, with dogs that score at least 8/10 awarded a pass. The assessment is currently voluntary, and licensed breeders will be asked to self-assess their own dogs using the Innate Health Assessment process.

The 10 point assessment is shown below:

1. No merle colouring
2. Smooth skin – no skin folds
3. Muzzle long enough for easy breathing
4. Eyelids that don’t turn in/turn out or droop
5. Eyes sit deeply in socket – not bulging
6. Jaws close correctly – no overbite or underbite
7. Tail long enough to wag
8. Straight legs – no bowing
9. Natural leg length – no dwarfism
10. Spine that can flex

The KC state that the IHA is voluntary.  Although Local Authority Licensing Officers can use the tool when carrying out licensing checks at a commercial dog breeder’s premises to verify that the dogs are suitable for breeding and that the breeder has complied with the breeding regulations in this respect. Failure by a breeder to carry out the IHA or breeding from a dog who has failed to pass the IHA, could be taken into consideration by licensing officers when deciding whether or not to issue or renew a commercial breeding licence to a breeder and also whether to prosecute a breeder for breaching their licence conditions.

At the beginning of 2026 the Royal Kennel Club will be launching a new Future for Dog Breeding report. This report will introduce their new ‘Breeding for Health Framework’. A central aim of this framework is that every dog should have a body shape that allows it to lead a normal life and to display normal canine behaviour. More details on this initiative will follow when available.