New Podcast:

Making Room for Small Ethical Breeders

This week, as Crufts 2026 takes place at the NEC in Birmingham, an important new podcast conversation has gone live that explores the future of dog breeding — and why small, ethical breeders must be part of the discussion.

In the latest episode of the The Animal Welfare Conversation, veterinary surgeon and occasional breeder Dr Mary Fraser speaks with Beverley Cuddy about the changing landscape of dog breeding, welfare debates and the growing voice of responsible breeders.

🎧 Listen here:
https://www.animalwelfareconversation.com/making-room-for-small-ethical-breeders/

Why ethical breeders matter

The conversation explores a central issue: if we want to end puppy farming and improve dog welfare, we must work with the good breeders — not push them out of the system.

Puppy farms and large-scale commercial breeders remain one of the biggest drivers of suffering in the dog world. In contrast, small-scale ethical breeders typically raise puppies in their homes, invest heavily in health testing, and provide lifetime support for the dogs they bring into the world.

These breeders are often the first line of defence against irresponsible breeding, educating new owners and ensuring puppies are healthy, well socialised and wanted.

A seat at the table

The discussion also covers the growing debate around the Innate Health Assessment, which has attracted significant media attention in the run-up to Crufts.

While the tool was developed with good intentions, a key concern raised in the podcast is that practical breeder knowledge was largely absent when it was designed. Without the input of people who have spent decades living with and breeding these dogs, even well-meaning initiatives risk creating unintended consequences.

The Union of Good Dog People was founded to ensure that ethical breeders — the people working hardest to produce healthy, well-raised dogs — have a voice in these conversations.

Working together for healthier dogs

The podcast also touches on wider developments, including the Breeding for Health Framework, and the ongoing discussion about how best to tackle exaggerated conformation while protecting the future of beloved breeds.

With academics, charities, breeders and dog lovers all weighing in, there is clearly no shortage of opinions. But there is also growing agreement on one point:

Real progress will only happen if everyone who truly cares about dogs works together.

For the Union of Good Dog People, that means championing the responsible breeders who already dedicate their lives to producing healthy, happy dogs raised in loving homes with lifetime support.

As the Crufts spotlight shines on the world of dogs this weekend, this conversation is a timely reminder that the future of dog welfare depends on supporting the people doing things right.

If you believe ethical breeders should have a voice in shaping the future of dog welfare, join the Union of Good Dog People.
Dogs above everything. 🐾