{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6967cc99a3b74ba76bc0332b/6a98465d809ae7c2f4d82ae1?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"The Future of Dog Breeding: Health, Welfare & the Innate Health Assessment with Vanessa Barnes","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/6967cc99a3b74ba76bc0332b/1788362589872-edf0c27d-dbb6-4cf5-8907-c636eb90d15e.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>Welcome to <em>Sit, Paws and Listen with Will Hodgetts</em></p><p><br></p><p>In this episode Will is joined by animal welfare lawyer and policy expert <strong>Vanessa Barnes</strong> to explore the future of responsible dog breeding and the importance of putting health before appearance.</p><p><br></p><p>Vanessa explains the <strong>Innate Health Assessment (IHA), </strong>a free, ten-point visual assessment designed to help breeders, vets, owners and regulators identify physical traits linked to poor welfare, including breathing difficulties, restricted mobility and problems caused by extreme conformation.</p><p><br></p><p>The conversation explores why the goal isn't to ban breeds, but to reduce exaggerated features and preserve healthier dogs for future generations. They discuss flat-faced breeds, eye and tail abnormalities, merle genetics, caesarean dependence, responsible breeding, consumer choice and the challenges facing regulators.</p><p><br></p><p>With nearly <strong>1,700 dogs already assessed</strong>, the IHA is gaining momentum in the UK and internationally,</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Vanessa Barnes and IHA:</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Vanessa: </strong><a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-barnes-7a6a2840\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-barnes-7a6a2840</strong></a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>IHA:</strong></p><p><a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/posts/innate-health-assessment_animalwelfare-petindustry-digitalpublishing-activity-7488875272637923329-IkuI?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_ios&amp;rcm=ACoAAAix1G4BwhSCjEDoyTvhYcy_txrea6vuiF0\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>LinkedIn</strong></a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/Innatehealthpets/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Instagram</strong></a></p>","author_name":"Will Hodgetts"}