Understanding the 2024 Dog Breeding Regulations Review: What Breeders Need to Know
The recent Post Implementation Review of The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 has revealed important insights about how the current breeder licensing system is working and where improvements might be needed. As dog breeders, these findings directly affect us, so let’s break down the key points and what they could mean for the future of dog breeding in England.
Current State of Licensed Breeding
As of April 2024, there are 2,224 licensed dog breeders spread across 261 local authority areas in England. The sector primarily consists of two main types of breeders: small-scale home-based operations and larger commercial kennel-based facilities. This diversity in breeding operations has created some challenges in applying regulations fairly and effectively.
The Two-Part Licensing Test
Under current regulations, you need a license if you meet either of these criteria:
- You’re breeding and advertising dogs for sale as a business (the business test)
- You breed three or more litters in any twelve-month period (the litter threshold)
This system was designed to distinguish between commercial and hobby breeders, but the review has found that it’s not always working as intended. The business test, in particular, has caused confusion and concern, especially for small-scale breeders.
Challenges for Small-Scale Breeders
The review highlighted several issues affecting small-scale breeders. Some have found themselves unexpectedly classified as commercial operators after advertising just a single litter or even a single puppy for sale. This classification can trigger requirements to change their property’s planning permission to include commercial use, leading to additional costs for commercial waste disposal and other business-related expenses.
These unexpected burdens have caused some small-scale breeders to stop breeding completely. This reduction in legitimate breeding capacity could have concerning consequences, potentially driving up prices and creating opportunities for illegal breeding operations or increasing reliance on imported puppies.
Positive Impact on Welfare Standards
Despite these challenges, the review found that the regulations have generally improved welfare standards, especially in high-volume breeding operations. The inclusion of requirements for socialisation and enrichment has been particularly well-received, as have the protections for breeding females, including minimum breeding age restrictions.
Emerging Concerns: Specialised Breeding Services
The review identified a growing trend of specialised breeding-related services, including:
– Stud dog services
– Canine fertility clinics
– Whelping services
Currently, these services don’t require licensing if they don’t involve selling puppies directly. However, there are concerns about their potential impact on animal welfare, particularly regarding the breeding of dogs with extreme physical characteristics.
Proposed Changes and Future Directions
The review suggests several potential reforms that could affect breeders:
Registration Scheme: There’s discussion about introducing a registration scheme to replace the current business test. Under this system, licensing would be based solely on the litter threshold, while all other breeding activities would require registration. This could simplify requirements and help local authorities track breeding activities in their areas.
Additional Welfare Protections: Several new measures are being considered:
– Introduction of a maximum breeding age
– Reducing the permitted number of caesarean sections
– Requiring fitness to breed certificates
– Strengthening protections against breeding dogs with extreme conformations
– Including temperament considerations in breeding decisions (similar to Scotland’s approach)
Licensing Costs
The review revealed significant variations in licensing fees across different local authorities, ranging from £66 for a three-year licence to £1,564 for a one-year licence. There’s recognition that both extremes may be problematic – very low fees might not cover proper inspection costs, while very high fees could be excessive.
Looking Forward
For breeders, these findings suggest that while the current system has improved welfare standards, changes may be coming to address existing challenges. The potential introduction of a registration scheme could simplify requirements for small-scale breeders while maintaining oversight of breeding activities.
The focus on specialised breeding services and extreme conformations indicates that future regulations might pay more attention to these areas. If you’re involved in these aspects of breeding, it would be wise to stay informed about potential regulatory changes.
What You Can Do Now
- Stay informed about potential changes to regulations in your area
- Keep detailed records of your breeding activities
- Ensure you understand current licensing requirements and whether they apply to you or not!
- Consider how proposed changes might affect your breeding programme
The review shows that while progress has been made in ensuring good breeding practices, there’s still work to be done to create a system that works effectively for both large and small-scale breeders, while protecting animal welfare. Understanding these developments will help us prepare for potential changes and contribute to the ongoing discussion about the future of dog breeding regulation in England.
Remember to check with your local authority for specific requirements in your area, as licensing conditions and fees can vary significantly between different locations.
The full report can be found here:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukia/2024/206/pdfs/ukia_20240206_en.pdf
