Breeding dogs
You must be licensed for dog breeding if you either:
- breed 3 or more litters of puppies each year, unless you can show that none of the puppies have been sold
- breed 1 or more litters of puppies and advertise a business selling them
You can be classed as a 'business', depending your activities, even if you're not formally registered as a business – check the Defra guidance notes at Canine and Feline Sector Group (CFSG): legislation and guidance.
Apply for a licence
The form below can be used to apply for different types of animal welfare licences and registration.
To apply for a dog breeding licence, you must complete sections 1, 3 and 7.
Application form for an animal welfare licence or registration
The completed form and relevant documents can be emailed to us at the address below.
Fees
For new or renewed licences, the grant fee can either be paid:
- upon application – the full amount of grant fee will be refunded if the application is refused
- following inspection, when the licence is ready to be issued
| Licence activity | Fee details | Fee total |
|---|---|---|
| New licence | £280 application fee, plus £75 grant fee if application is approved, plus vets fees for inspection | £355 plus vets fees |
| Renewal | £280 application fee, plus £75 grant fee if renewal is approved, plus vets fees for inspection | £355 plus vets fees |
| Variation to licence | £85 application fee, plus £137 inspection fee and any vets fees | £222 plus vets fees |
| Re-evaluation of rating | £85 application fee, plus £137 inspection fee and any vets fees | £222 plus vets fees |
| Variation to reduce licensable activities or number of animals | £85 application fee | £85 |
| Transfer of licence | £85 application fee | £85 |
| Appeal | £137 inspection fee, to be refunded if appeal is successful | £137 |
| Combination of licensable animal welfare activities | £280 application fee, plus £140 per additional activity, plus £75 grant fee per activity if application is approved, plus vets fees for inspection | £355 plus £215 per additional activity, plus vets fees |
Licence conditions
For government guidance on applying and the conditions you'll need to meet, go to GOV.UK: Dog breeding licence.
To read the government's guidance for licensing authorities, go to GOV.UK: Animal activities licensing – statutory guidance for local authorities.
Check a licence
You can check online whether a dog breeder is licensed in Thurrock.