The local council must license dog breeding kennels. For
this purpose the keeping of such kennels is defined as the carrying
on at premises of any nature (including a private dwelling) of a
business of breeding dogs with a view to their being sold in the
course of such business, whether by their keeper or any other
person. A person will be treated as carrying on a business of
breeding dogs for sale at the premises where:
- A person keeps a bitch at any premises at any time during any
period of twelve months; and
- The bitch gives birth to a litter of puppies at any time during
that period; and
- Four or more other litters are born during the period to
bitches falling within the following categories:
- The aforementioned bitch;
- Any other bitch kept by the person at the premises at any time
during the period;
- Any bitch kept by any relative of his at the premises at any
such time;
- Any bitches kept by him elsewhere at any such time; and
- Any bitches kept (anywhere) by any person at any time under a
breeding arrangement made with him.
However, if the person shows that none of the puppies born to
bitches falling within i, ii, iii or v was sold during the period
(whether by him or by any other person) he will not be treated as
carrying on a business of breeding dogs for sale at the
premises.
Do I need a dog breeding licence?
Question
I have one dog and two bitches that are all under one year of
age, but I intend to have puppies from them when they are a bit
older and I intend to sell the puppies. When can I start
breeding them and do I need to have a licence?
Answer
If you intend to breed from your puppies and sell them you
must wait until the bitches are a minimum of one-year-old.
The bitches will only be allowed to produce one litter a year for a
maximum of six years. You will not be required to get a
licence.
Question
I have three bitches at home, I use a stud dog to breed from
them, how many litters can each bitch have and do I need a
licence?
Answer
Yes you will need a licence from your local council, they will
explain the terms and conditions of the licence. Each bitch
will be able to produce a maximum of six litters from the age of
one. One litter per year. You will be required to keep
records, which can be inspected at any time by an authorised
officer of the council.
Question
I have a licence for dog breeding can I sell my puppies to
someone who does not have a licence, but wishes to sell the puppies
on?
Answer
In short, no, as a licensed breeding establishment you would be
guilty of an offence under the Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare)
Act 1999 if you sell a dog otherwise than to the keeper of a
licensed pet shop or a licensed Scottish rearing establishment
knowing or believing that the person who buys it intends that it
should be sold (by him or any other person).
Question
What is the minimum age I can sell my puppies?
Answer
Eight weeks otherwise than to the keeper of a licensed pet
shop.
Fees
- New application (including vet fees) - £228
- Annual renewal - £93
NB The fees stated are for the period 1 April 2008 to 31 March
2009.
Application Form
The following form is available for printing:
Dog Breeding Establishments - Application Form (PDF -
34kb)
