Dog breeding licensing

All establishments used for the breeding of dogs are controlled by the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973.

No person may keep a breeding establishment without first obtaining a licence from their local authority.

A breeding establishment means any premises where more than two bitches are kept for the purposes of breeding for sale.

A licence may be issued if the applicant is not disqualified under any of the following Acts:

• 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.

Where a licence is granted, that licence and any subsequent licence will expire on the 31 December of the year to which the licence relates and must be renewed before that date if the premises are to continue as a dog breeding establishment.

For more information, contact the Environmental Health Team.