Explore every episode of the podcast The Dog’s Voice

Social media has changed the way we choose dogs. From viral breeds and designer crossbreeds to dog influencers and online advice, platforms like Instagram and TikTok increasingly shape what puppies people buy and what owners expect from dog ownership.

In this first episode of The Dog's Voice, Ben Simpson-Vernon and Cat the Vet discuss what social media has done well, where it has gone wrong, and what vets wish people knew before bringing home a puppy.

Together they explore: • How online trends influence breed popularity. • The realities of owning fashionable breeds. • Why people should speak to a veterinary practice before buying. • Insurance, health costs and expectations. • How to spot a responsible breeder online. • What happens at the first puppy appointment.

Whether you're thinking about buying a puppy or already have one at home, this episode offers practical advice to help you make informed decisions and give your dog the healthiest possible start in life.

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.

Where does a puppy really come from?

Most puppy buyers see a happy photograph online, visit a home, meet a puppy and make an emotional decision. But behind some advertisements lies a very different reality.

In this episode, Ben is joined by Lauren Bennett from the RSPCA to discuss puppy farming, illegal imports, puppy smuggling and the growing problem of "petfishing."

Together they discuss: • What puppy farming actually means. • How criminal breeding operations work. • The impact of Lucy's Law. • Puppy smuggling and imported dogs. • The welfare consequences for breeding dogs and puppies. • Why people struggle to walk away from poor situations. • How buyers can identify a responsible breeder.

If you're thinking about buying a puppy, this episode offers practical advice to help you make informed decisions and avoid supporting low-welfare breeding.

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.

RSPCA scientific officer Lauren Bennett discusses puppy farming, illegal imports, petfishing and how puppy buyers can avoid supporting low-welfare breeding.

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.

What does a healthy dog actually look like?

Many of the features we associate with certain breeds have become so familiar that we no longer question them. But when does a breed characteristic become a welfare problem?

In this episode, Ben is joined by Professor Dan O'Neill from the Royal Veterinary College to explore how modern dog breeds developed, why some physical features can affect health, and what we can do to breed healthier dogs in the future.

Together they discuss: • How modern dog breeds evolved. • Why some physical features can harm welfare. • The normalisation of breathing, eye and spinal problems. • The role of social media and breed popularity. • Whether brachycephalic and dwarf breeds can become healthier. • The Innate Health Assessment and how puppy buyers can use it. • What breeders can do to improve health in future generations.

If you're considering getting a puppy, this episode will help you understand one of the most important questions any owner can ask: what does a healthy dog really look like?

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.

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.