Apply for (or renew) a dog breeding licence

You will need to apply for a licence if you are:

• breeding 3 or more litters of puppies in a 12 month period and/or
• breeding dogs and advertising a business of selling dogs (no matter how many litters)

Licences are valid for between 1 and 3 years depending on the star rating.

Before you apply, you may need to check if planning permission is required to carry out the specific activity.

You cannot apply for a licence if you:

• have previously had a licence revoked
• are disqualified under legislation (as set out in schedule 8 of The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals (England) Regulations 2018)

Vet fees are also payable for new applications.

You do not need a licence if you:

• can provide evidence that none of the puppies were sold (as puppies or adult dogs) or that you have kept them all yourself, this includes:
  • records of the new owners of all of the puppies
  • why there was no money involved (including in kind)
• are a registered charity that rehomes puppies born to rescue dogs (unless it is clear that this part of your operation is a commercial activity)
• breed only assistance dogs (as defined in the Equality Act 2010 (Guide Dogs for the Blind)
• are keeping a dog under the Animal Health Act 1981
• are an organisation regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986)
• are a breeder that breeds a small number of puppies (fewer than 3 litters per year), and you sell them without making a profit - you'll need to provide evidence

Before you apply, read our Animal Licensing Policy.

You must be 18 or over to apply.

You'll need to complete and return (by email or post) an application form, along with your:

• premises plan
• operating procedures, including:
  • fire risk assessment
  • emergency plan
• qualifications and experience (for you and all staff)
• insurance policy
• preventative healthcare plan
• training records
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate (a clear copy of the front and back; no more than 2 months old at the time you apply)

View more about the specific requirements below.

Download and complete the Dog Breeding Application (PDF, 985 KB).

Send the completed application form and other requirements by email or post to:

[email protected]

Licensing
Buckinghamshire Council
The Gateway
Gatehouse Road
Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire
HP19 8FF

Do not send cash or cheques.

We'll contact you for payment when we have verified your application.

You should renew your licence at least 10 weeks before your current licence expires.

If we do not receive your application within this time, it may be delayed and you may need to stop trading until it’s approved.

You’ll need to display your licence in a public-facing area of the premises, such as the entrance or reception area.

You’ll also need to show the name of the licence holder and the number of the licence holder’s licence on any website used in respect of the licensable activity.

We will inspect your premises before the licence is granted. You’ll need to be able to show that you have:

• a specialist knowledge in the species that they are caring for and a clear understanding of its needs and welfare
• comprehensive records that contain all the information required by the conditions that apply to the activities you want to carry out
• an understanding of risks involved in caring for the animal, including an extensive risk assessment and written policies and procedures that are reviewed regularly
• training procedures in place to make sure staff know what is expected of them, a system of annual staff appraisals and ongoing knowledge development for all staff, including yourself
• suitable accommodation for the animals as set out in statutory guidance

Based on the application, and the information given to us at the inspection, we’ll assess the risk rating and award stars using the animal activity star rating system.

View more pre-inspection advice including a checklist.

If you want to challenge the star rating awarded, you should contact the inspecting officer to discuss the matter. If they do not revise their decision, you can appeal in writing.

You have 21 days to make your challenge following the issue of the licence.

If you disagree with the outcome of the appeal, you can challenge the decision through a judicial review.

If you feel that your star rating should be reviewed, and have made improvements or changes, you can apply for a re-inspection in writing by showing:

• what changes you've made
• evidence of the changes

Find out about reinspection requests during the term of a licence on GOV.UK.

You can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal if we refuse to grant or renew a licence.

You must make your appeal within 28 days of the day following the date of the decision.

You'll need to request a variation to your licence if you want to:

• increase animal numbers
• add a new type of animal
• change the premises you operate from

Contact [email protected] for advice.

View more information for your dog breeding business:

• code of practice for the welfare of dogs (GOV.UK)
• dog breeding statutory guidance (GOV.UK)
• dog breeding (The Kennel Club)
• professional dog walkers' guidelines
• 'The Puppy Contract' for buying and selling

You can use these example and template documents for activities that may be required in the procedures:

• continuous professional development template (Word, 19 KB)
• fire evacuation drill records (PDF, 45 KB)
• fire safety logbook (Word, 33 KB)
• staff appraisal form template (Word, 55 KB)

Email: [email protected]