Licence - dog breeding

Puppies Contents

What is a Dog Breeding licence?

You will need a Dog Breeding licence if you keep bitches at any premises and they give birth to five or more litters during a period of 12 months. This includes bitches kept:

  • by any person at the premises
  • by any relative of the person at the premises
  • elsewhere by the person
  • anywhere by the person under a breeding arrangement or contract with another person.

How do I apply for a licence?

You must complete the Dog Breeding Licence application form and send this with the correct payment. You can complete the licence form online or you can download it and complete it by hand and return it to the Licensing Team.

Once we receive your completed application form, we will send an officer or veterinary surgeon to inspect the premises. If an acceptable report is received from the authorised vet, we will let you know the conditions that we propose to attach to your licence before it is issued.

We may use the information provided for the prevention and detection of fraud. We also share this information for auditing purposes.

Who cannot apply for a Dog Breeding licence?

Any applicant who has previously been disqualified under the:

How much is a Dog Breeding licence and how long does it last?

The current cost of a Dog Breeding licence for 10 or less bitches is £484.00 plus veterinary surgeon fees and a Dog Breeding licence for more than 10 bitches is £627.00 plus veterinary surgeon fees.

A licence lasts for one year beginning with the day on which it comes into force. The day it comes into force is whichever is later...

  • The day stated in the application when the applicant wishes the licence to come into force; and
  • The day on which the licence is granted.

How do you decide whether to grant a licence?

We take into account:

  • whether the dogs have access to suitable accommodation at all times, with regard to the construction and size of the quarters, number of occupants, ventilation, cleanliness, exercise facilities, temperature and lighting
  • whether the dogs will be suitably fed, watered, visited and supplied with adequate bedding material
  • that all reasonable steps are in place to prevent and control the spread of infectious or contagious diseases
  • whether appropriate steps will be taken to protect the animals in the event of a fire or other emergency
  • that the dogs will be suitably cared for when being transported to and from the breeding establishment, such as food, drink, bedding, exercise
  • that bitches are not mated if they are less than one year old
  • that bitches do not give birth to more than six litters of puppies each
  • that bitches do not give birth more than once in a 12 month period

What conditions will be attached to my licence?

In addition to these conditions we may impose others as we think fit.

We are required to specify conditions which:

  • require the dogs to be kept only by persons specified on the Licence
  • require the dogs to be held at the premises specified in the Licence
  • restrict the numbers of animals to be kept
  • require that all appropriate steps will be taken to secure that dogs will be provided with suitable food, drink and bedding material and adequately exercised when being transported to or from the breeding establishment

Will I need to apply for anything else?

You may need other permissions in addition to those required from us.

These must be obtained before you begin your licensed activities. Please note that this list gives a general guide and is not a complete list:

Planning permission

Check if you need planning permission before you make a licence application by emailing planning.applications@derby.gov.uk. Any change in the use of a property will require planning permission.

If you already have planning permission for the same use, you should check that your licence application does not break any condition attached to the planning permission. If your licence is granted, Planning Enforcement action will be taken against you if you do not have the right planning permission in place.

How do I renew my licence?

You must complete the Dog Breeding Licence renewal application form and send this with the correct payment.

Unsuccessful Dog breeding Applications

On certain occasions a vet may recommend that a licence is not issued, If, after consideration, we agree and decide that a licence should not be issued, you have the right of appeal to the Magistrates’ Court against that decision.

Making sure that the welfare needs of the animals are met

You should make sure that all animals:

  • have a suitable environment (place to live)
  • have a suitable diet
  • are exhibiting normal behaviour patterns
  • are housed with or apart from other animals if applicable
  • are protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease.

What records do I need to keep?

A record must be kept by every licensed dog breeder for each breeding bitch.

You must:

  • provide the name of the bitch
  • date of birth
  • address where she is kept
  • breed,
  • description, date of mating and details of sire
  • keep a record of any litters
  • including the sex of the puppies
  • date of birth
  • weight
  • description and total number in litter
  • show the details of the date of sale
  • name and address of who was supplied and the status of the purchaser, such as private owner or pet shop.

Useful forms

Downloads

Useful links

Contact details

Email:
Post address: Licensing Team
Derby City Council
Ground Floor
The Council House
Corporation Street
Derby
DE1 2FS
Phone: 01332 641951
Minicom: 01332 640666
Fax: 01332 643299

Licensing Team
Derby City Council
The Council House
Corporation Street
Derby
DE1 2FS