Apply for a licence - Dog breeding

According to the law, dog breeding licenses can only run for a calendar year. If you apply to start operating before the end of the current year your licence will expire on 31 December this year and you will not be eligible for any refund on your application fee. The fees cover administration costs which are the same regardless of how long the licence runs for.  Renewal reminders are sent out around October. 

To apply, you will need:

• Credit or debit card
• Details of current licence

Fees

Apply for a licence

A person will be assumed to be carrying on the business of dog breeding if during any 12 month period a total of three or more litters are born to any dogs (at any location).

Any person over the age of 18 can apply for a dog breeding licence. A licence will not be issued if you have been disqualified under:

• The Breeding of Dogs Act 1973
• The Pet Animals Act 1951
• The Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954
• The Protection of Animals (Cruelty to Dogs) (Scotland) Act 1934
• The Animal Health Act 1981
• The Animal Welfare Act 2006
• The Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006

We appoint a veterinary surgeon or veterinary practitioner or an officer of the authority to inspect the premises where the dogs will normally be held. The veterinary surgeon or practitioner is to report back to us about the premises, the applicant and any other relevant matter. We shall consider the report before determining whether to grant a licence. We are permitted to seek payment for the reasonable costs of the inspection from the applicant.

Each licence issued is subject to standard conditions that are imposed on all dog breeding licences issued. However, a licence may also contain special conditions that are only applicable to your particular activity.

Standard conditions include:

1. That the dogs will, at all times, be kept in accommodation suitable in respect to construction, size of quarters, number of occupants, exercising facilities, temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness
2. That the dogs will be adequately supplied with suitable food, drink and bedding material, adequately exercised, and (so far as necessary) visited at suitable intervals
3. That all reasonable precautions will be taken to prevent and control the spread amongst dogs of infections and contagious diseases
4. That all appropriate steps will be taken for the protection of the dogs in case of fire or other emergency
5. That all appropriate steps will be taken to secure that the dogs will be provided with suitable food, drink and bedding material and adequately exercised when being transported to or from the breeding establishment
6. That bitches will not be mated if they are less than one year old
7. That all appropriate steps will be taken to ensure that bitches do not give birth to more than six litters of puppies each
8. That all appropriate steps will be taken to ensure that bitches do not give birth to puppies before the end of the period of twelve months beginning with the day on which they last gave birth to puppies
9. That accurate records in a form prescribed by regulations are kept at the premises and made available for inspection there by any officer of the Local Authority, or any veterinary surgeon or veterinary practitioner, authorised by the Local Authority to inspect the premises

A new licence will be granted for a period one year from the date of grant. The renewal of licence will be granted for one year.

• Phone: 01349 886609
• Online enquiry form