Anyone who operates as a dog breeding establishment must have a licence from the Council. This is so that Council can regulate breeders to ensure the welfare and socialisation needs of the dogs are met. Breeding establishments are subject to annual inspections by Council officers.
As part of The Welfare of Animals (Dog Breeding Establishments and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 anyone who owns three or more breeding bitches or intends to breed more than three litters of puppies a year for sale must apply to us for a dog breeding establishment licence. A breeding establishment is defined as one or more premises, within the same area, operated by the same person and from which that person keeps three or more breeding bitches, and
🐶 breeds three or more litters of puppies in any 12 month period
🐶 advertises three or more litters of puppies for sale in any 12 month period
🐶 supplies three or more litters of puppies in any 12 month period, or
🐶 advertises a business of breeding or selling of puppies.
We regulate dog breeding establishments within Derry City & Strabane District Council to make sure that they meet minimum standards of accommodation, environment, mating, whelping, behaviour, socialising and health. We have a statutory duty to make sure that the Welfare of Animal (Dog Breeding Establishments and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 is enforced.
Requirements for setting up a Dog Breeding Establishment
If you are planning to operate a dog breeding establishment within the Derry City and Strabane District Council area you must apply to us for a licence. But you cannot apply until our dog warden service has inspected the premises. There are a number of basic conditions which must be compiled with:
Accomodation & Environment
The accommodation in which a dog is kept must be durable and appropriate in construction and size, and have suitable temperature, lighting, ventilation, cleanliness and drainage.
Clean bedding must be provided for each dog, and must be renewed when it is soiled.
You must also ensure that appropriate measures are in place to protect both people and dogs in the event of a fire or other emergency.
Whelping Facilities
A designated area must be provided for all bitches, prior to whelping, and must include a suitable whelping box or bed.
Facilities for heating must be adequate, secure and safe, and capable of providing the range of temperatures suitable for both pups and bitch.
An area should also be provided within the whelping kennel, where a bitch can rest, away from her puppies.
Diet
You must ensure that all dogs are supplied daily with a suitable quantity and quality of food for the type and breed of dog. Dogs must also have access to clean drinking water at all times.
Normal Behaviour
All dogs need to have regular access to adequate facilities to enable them to exhibit normal behavioural patterns through play, interaction and relief from boredom. Dogs should also have regular exercise, suitable to their breed and size.
Socialisation
All licensed dog breeders must develop a written socialisation program for puppies, which must be approved by the Councils Enforcement Officer.
Enhancement and Enrichment
All Licenced breeders must have a written enhancement and enrichment program for bitches, stud dogs and other dogs, approved by the Councils Enforcement Officer.
Health
All dogs should be inspected at regular intervals throughout the day and night, and you must take all reasonable steps to protect dogs from pain, suffering, injury or disease, including preventing and controlling the spread of infectious or contagious disease amongst the dogs.
Isolation facilities which are adequate and suitable must be available for any sick dog that is awaiting veterinary treatment, and for recuperation following sickness.
Dogs must not be continually exposed to direct sunlight.
All dogs must receive any necessary veterinary treatment, including vaccinations.
Mating
A breeding bitch must not be mated until she is over 12 months old, and must not give birth to more than 3 litters in any period of 3 years, and not be bred in any consecutive heat period. She must not give birth to more than 6 litters of pups in total, and cannot be mated after she is 8 years old, unless veterinary certification is granted.
Change of Ownership of a Puppy
The licence holder must keep possession of a puppy until it is at least 8 weeks old.
Identification of Breeding Bitches and Other Dogs
All breeding bitches and other dogs must be microchipped, to allow for identification, unless a Vet has certified that to effect that implantation of a microchip would have an adverse effect on the health of the dog. Where a breeding bitch or other dog arrives at a breeding establishment and has not been microchipped, the Licence holder must ensure that this is done within 7 days.
Identification of Puppies
All puppies must be identified with a microchip before they are 8 weeks of age. The licence holder must be the first registered owner of any puppy born on the premises, before the puppy leaves the premises with a view to changing ownership, or the licence holder transfers ownership of the puppy to a third party. Details should be provided to allow the new owner to update the microchip database.
Record Keeping
Records must be kept in relation to each breeding bitch on the site, setting out her name/number, date of birth, breed, health status, microchip number and mating details to include breed and unique microchip number of the sire and details of each puppy born, including date of birth, sex, microchip number of each puppy, and date when ownership is transferred.
Records should be available for inspection by one of the Council’s Enforcement Officers.
If you need advice or guidance on dog breeding, please contact us 02871 253253 or [email protected]
You cannot apply for a dog breeding licence if you have been disqualified under any of the following legislations:
🐶 The Breeding of Dogs Act 1973
🐶 The Welfare of Animals Act 2011
🐶 The Dogs (NI) Order 1983, (amended)
🐶 Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963
🐶 The Protection of Animals Act 1954
🐶 The Pet Animals Act 1951
You may also need to get permission from your landlord or mortgage provider, and should check with Building Control and Belfast Planning Service to make sure you have all the relevant documents and approvals. It is your responsibility to make sure all these checks have been made.
Fees
There are different fees for each breeding establishment depending on the number of bitches kept there
🐶 10 or less bitches £150
🐶 11 to 15 bitches £200
🐶 26 to 50 bitches £250
🐶 51 to 100 bitches £300
🐶 101 to 200 bitches £350
🐶 200 or more bitches £350 plus £50 for every additional 100 bitches
It is an offence for any person to operate a Dog Breeding Establishment without having the appropriate Dog Breeding Establishment Licence or to contravene any condition of the Licence. Any person found guilty of such an offence shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding level 5 (£5000) or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or both.
Other relevant information
Hobby breeders who do not sell more than 2 litters per year do not require a breeding establishment licence.
The Irish and English Kennel Clubs require relevant breeders to have a breeding establishment licence or registration will be refused.
Report an unlicensed breeder or breeding establishment
If you think you have discovered an unlicensed breeding establishment or breeder, report your concerns to our dog wardens who can investigate. You can email [email protected] or call 02871 253253.
You will be required to give your name and contact details so that we can ensure the complaint is genuine. Your details will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed unless the investigation results in a prosecution.
Buying a Puppy
Deciding whether to get a puppy or dog is a big decision. It is advisable, before purchasing a puppy, to give it proper thought and to carry out some research. The average life span of a dog is 15 years, so owning a dog is a very long-term commitment. Dogs demand a lot of time and are expensive to keep. Daily responsibilities include: exercising, feeding, grooming, training and cleaning up after your dog. Dogs also need company like humans and can get bored and lonely. Younger active dogs in particular need mental stimulation and constructive play.
A responsible dog owner is an owner who ensures the welfare of their pet, which includes keeping their dog under control at all times, licenses their dog, never allows their dog to stray, disposes of dog fouling from their pet immediately and ensures that their dog does not cause nuisance through noise or odour.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) have created a very useful leaflet and information on buying and caring for a puppy. Click here to download and read.
Paws for Thought
If you are thinking about getting a dog, #PawsforThought and give it some proper consideration.
Things to consider:
• Do you really know where your dog is coming from? Can you be sure that the dog isn’t from an illegal breeder or been stolen?
• If you decide to get a dog, consider rehoming an unwanted dog first.
• If you decide to buy a puppy, make sure to buy it from a reputable /licensed breeder who has made sure the puppy has had a good start in life.
• Once you have made the decision to buy a puppy, only buy one aged 8 weeks or more and make sure to see the puppy with its mother at its home.
• Never buy a dog or a pup that is delivered to you.
• Dogs must be microchipped at 8 weeks old, and dog owners are responsible for contacting the local council and licensing their dog.
• Dog owners are responsible for keeping the dog under proper control, and for meeting the welfare needs of their dog.
For more information on OPERATION PAWS FOR THOUGHT, click here.
Contact Details
Dog Control Team
📞 02871253253
📧 [email protected]