Breeding dogs

Check if you need a licence

You’ll need a dog breeding licence if you do either or both of the following:

• three or more litters of puppies per year, unless you can show that none of the puppies were sold
• puppies and sell them with a view of making a profit – this can apply to individuals as well as registered businesses

You do not need a dog breeding licence if you’re:

• a breeder who can provide documented evidence that none of the puppies were sold or that you kept the puppies yourself – the evidence will need to give details of the new owners and why no transaction took place
• a registered charity that rehomes puppies that are born to rescue dogs, unless you're running this part of your operations as a commercial activity
• breeding assistance dogs only as defined in the Equality Act 2010, for example guide dogs for the blind
• keeping a dog under the Animal Health Act 1981
• an organisation regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
• breeding less than three litters per year that are sold without making a profit

Find out more about the standards and conditions for dog breeding on GOV.UK

Apply for a licence

For a new licence or to renew a licence, complete an application form (ODT, 41KB). Send it to us using the details at the bottom of this page, along with any supporting documentation.

You must submit a renewal application at least 12 weeks before the licence expires. This is so we can access your application and carry out any inspections in time for the licenced activity to continue without a break.

We also recommend you check if you need planning permission for your business.  

Fees

Check dog breeding licence fees and how to pay in Westmorland and Furness

Visit to your premises

Before we issue a licence, an officer will arrange to visit your premises to inspect your business. This is to see how you look after the animals in your care. We’ll establish if your business can comply with the conditions attached to the licence and assess you to ensure you’re a fit and proper person to carry out the licensable activities. For example, you need a good understanding of the risks involved in the care of the animals and will have to show extensive risk assessments, written policies and procedures during the inspection.

A veterinary inspection will be carried out for your first application and may also be carried out at other times for which you'll need to pay an additional fee.

Following these visits a risk assessment will be completed and if your licence is granted, we’ll issue a star rating ranging from one to five stars. Depending on the star rating the licence will be issued for one, two or three years.

Contact us

Contact the licensing team for your local area.