Dog Breeding

To keep a dog breeding establishment you need a licence from the Local Authority. The Local Authority may prescribe conditions on which the licence will be granted.

 

A summary of the legislation relating to this licence can be found here.

Standard conditions relating to a licence can be found for domestic breeders here and for non-domestic breeders here.

Who needs to notify/apply?

Any fit and proper person, who is not disqualified from keeping animals or keeping a pet shop, animal boarding or dog breeding establishment, may apply. They must pay any required fee and comply with any conditions attached to a licence.

How long will it take to consider the notification/application?

Following receipt of your completed application form, together with the fee, the premises will be inspected by a local authority officer. Where the officer is satisfied that the licence may be granted, with or without additional conditions, you will be notified within 10 working days of the inspection by the local authority and receipt of the report by the Fire Officer.

How much will it cost to notify/apply?

The fee for a dog breeding establishment licence can be found here.

Will tacit consent apply?

No. It is in the public interest that the local authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us within a reasonable period, please contact us at the address given below.

How do I apply?

You can download an application form here, complete it and print it and send it to the contact address given below.

The licence will be issued subject to compliance with licence conditions and payment of the licence fee.

If my application is refused, how do I appeal?

You may appeal to a Magistrates’ Court if you are aggrieved by a refusal of a licence or by any condition subject to which a licence is proposed to be granted.

What if I have a complaint or concern?

Contact us in the first instance at the address below. Otherwise, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice.

From outside the UK, contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Public register?

There is no public register but a list of current licensed dog breeding establishments is available from the address below.

For further information

For further information, please contact us at the address given below.

Contact information