Breeding of dogs - Print version

Before applying for a licence to breed dogs in Coventry, you will need to speak to a member of the Dog Enforcement team to determine whether you meet the business test under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals)(England) Regulations 2018. Please email your details and any questions to dogenforcement@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:dogenforcement@coventry.gov.uk] and a member of the team will respond. Please do not call us - our phone is for live incidents only (such as stray dogs) and you will be asked to send an email instead, please be patient and a Dog Enforcement Officer will respond to your email. 

The cost and length of the licence are determined by meeting the criteria under The Animal Welfare (Licencing of Activities Involving Animals)(England) Regulations 2018. Read the guidance for Dog Breeding regulations [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/animal-activities-licensing-guidance-for-local-authorities/dog-breeding-licensing-statutory-guidance-for-local-authorities].

New applicants will incur a veterinary fee and can only achieve a 2 star one year licence in the first year.

Changes of circumstances can be made by contacting a member of the Animal Welfare team. Any changes will incur a charge.

Apply for a dog breeding licence

Download, complete and submit the dog breeding application form. [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/5743/dog_breeding_licence_application]

When a dog breeding licence is needed

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 came into force on 1 October 2018 and requires any person who breeds three litters in any 12 month period to have a licence. The regulations also state that activities that fulfil one or more of the following criteria are subject to licensing:

• Anyone breeding three or more litters of puppies per year (unless they can show evidence that none of the puppies have been sold).
• Anyone breeding puppies and advertising a business of selling them, as defined under the business test. This is irrespective of the number of litters produced per year. This is not restricted to registered businesses – individuals can also be classed as a business depending on the extent of their activities.
• Factors that should be considered when determining whether someone is 'advertising a business' include:
  • The number, frequency and/or volume of sales - systematic and repeated transactions using the same means of advertising are likely to indicate a commercial activity.
  • High volumes of animals sold or advertised for sale could indicate a business.
  • Low volumes of animals sold or advertised could indicate a business where high sales prices or large profit margins are involved.
  • High range and variability in the breeds traded. A wide variety of breeds being advertised could indicate the commercial nature of the activity.
  • High numbers of advertisements of puppies for sale, including on classified websites, could indicate commercial behaviour, even where there is no actual sale taking place via the internet. This could be high numbers of advertisements at any one time or over a short period of time, and/or regularly.
  • Advertising through a variety of sites, forums or media could indicate a commercial activity.

The circumstances which a local authority must take into account in determining whether an activity is being carried on in the course of a business for the purposes of this schedule include, for example, whether the operator:

• makes any sale by, or otherwise carries on, the activity with a view to making a profit, or
• earns any commission or fee from the activity.

List of licensed dog breeders