Breeding regulations

We recently carried out a Freedom of Information request project to ascertain if Regulations were targeting commercial breeders and if the number of licences issued to 5 plus litter breeders had increased. Instead, we found that nearly two thirds of licences are being issued to one and two litter breeders, and the number of licences being issued to those breeding three or more has dwindled significantly.

Given that the intention behind the new regulations was to ensure that high volume breeders are operating responsibly and safely, it is disappointing to see low-volume breeders – who often do not have the resources or finances to meet the extensive requirements – overrepresented in the figures.

Each year, The Kennel Club registers approximately one third of puppies bred in the UK – around 250,000 puppies per year. Following the introduction of the licensing regulations in England, 18,000 fewer puppies were registered with The Kennel Club, meaning that the domestic dog market saw a total shortfall of approximately 75,000 puppies. We have heard from many low-volume breeders who plan to either reduce the number of litters they breed per year or stop breeding altogether as a direct result of the burdensome licensing requirements they must now meet.

Given that 87% of breeders registered with The Kennel Club breed one to two litters per year, a significant reduction in their breeding activity prompts a number of concerns regarding the dog breeding sector and the market supply. Prospective puppy buyers will now have less opportunity to buy from reputable, responsible breeders who have raised their puppies in a loving home environment, as the gap in the market is filled by unethical, low welfare puppy importers and puppy farmers.

Determining whether a breeder who breeds fewer than three litters per year meets the criteria set out in a business test is a complex process which can be interpreted in a different way depending on the local authority. Whether low volume breeders will require a licence is a postcode lottery, with some local authorities telling breeders that they will require a licence if they advertise even one puppy for sale. The reliability of this enforcement method is questionable, given that 65% of breeders do not rely on advertising pups for sale due to having waiting lists and over 80% of those advertising using non-commercial websites.

For those breeding three or four litters in a 12 month period, the licensing system is too complex, bureaucratic, and expensive. It places the same burden on those who breed three litters within a year as high-volume breeders.

A one size fits all regulatory framework isn’t working and is even benefiting backstreet breeders. We would therefore advocate for a tiered approach to breeding regulations whereby for example, the regulatory framework would vary depending on the volume of litters a breeder breeds. 

More flexibility could be brought into the regime to consider whether health testing and screening has been acknowledged. 

To further encourage good breeding practices, the Government could work more closely with The Kennel Club and breed clubs to facilitate a mentoring programme whereby those who breed more frequently or have more knowledge of breeding dogs are paired with people who are planning their first litter of puppies. 

To assist puppy buyers, puppy contracts similar to The Kennel Club puppy contract should be mandated to help ensure all breeders are adhering to basic health and welfare standards, including taking their puppy back if the new owner is unable to look after it, to relieve the strain put on rescue centres. 

A contract, supported by an educational/behavioural change campaign, would provide some form of assurance that their breeder is reputable. Additionally, to follow what has been put in place in Scotland, the Government could develop a Code of Practice for those looking to purchase a puppy to try to ensure the process is fully considered.

Email your local MP - find yours over on the UK parliament website.

If emailing in please include your name and postal address at the end of your email.

Here is a template letter you can use:

Email your local MP - find yours over on the UK parliament website.
If emailing in please include your name and postal address at the end of your email.
Here is a template letter you can use:

Dear [MP’s Name],
Re: Responsible Dog Breeding

I am writing to you not only as your constituent but also as a dedicated dog breeder who registers litters with The Royal Kennel Club. The Royal Kennel Club is the only welfare centric organisation representing dog breeders, including myself and has recently launched their own Health and Welfare standard to incentivise their community of breeders to carry out breed specific health tests on their breeding stock. 

Ethical breeders, like me, are committed to raising healthy, well-adjusted puppies, but we face serious challenges competing against irresponsible and often illegal breeding operations. Equally we face challenges against a confusing and inconsistent regulatory landscape which isn’t very well suited to ultra-low volume breeders such as me. 

I urge you to support the recommendations contained in The Kennel Club’s most recent report, ‘The Reality of Responsible Dog Breeding’, including:

• Replace the current one-size-fits-all system with a tiered regulatory approach so that high welfare, low volume breeders can continue to be encouraged to meet demand for puppies, and minimum standards for commercial breeders can be better enforced.
• Support mentoring programs pairing experienced breeders with first time breeders.
• Mandate puppy contracts to uphold welfare standards.
• Launch an education/behavioural change campaign to support ethical buying.

The breeding community needs urgent policy support to ensure responsible practices can thrive and that dog welfare is prioritised across the UK. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further or provide any insights from my experience. 

Yours sincerely,

[NAME]