Welfare before Wallet.

I read something scary this morning. Only 14% of puppies sold in the country are from licensed breeders. Up until December 2024 a small number of those unlicensed breeders may have been Kennel Club Assured Breeder members. Why do I mention this? Well at least those puppies sold had some sort of oversight too, but now, there are 86% of puppies sold in the country with absolutely no oversight, no one checking the welfare of the litters and their dams/studs. Only 14% of puppies therefore are guaranteed a level of welfare throughout their formative period, plus their dams would be required to have all year round appropriate care and welfare.

So what about those that aren’t licensed? Councils interpret the regulations differently. With some using the HMRC trade badge as benchmark (takings – not profit of £1000), some will use the “No more than 3 litters in 12 months” section of the regulation as their low set bar and some will use the “advertising” section as a reason to be licensed.

The doors are open and we could have people breeding 3 litters per year in some areas, imagine the possible impact on the health and welfare of their dogs and in turn your precious bundle over five years, that could be 15 litters of ten pups, 150 puppies out there with no one overseeing their welfare from the start, and that could be just one person in her flat breeding her toy sized dogs. Clearly the “hobby” breeder here will have hit the benchmark for HMRC and what is the possibility that they haven’t advertised?

There is an argument out there that the license is too tough, too complicated, unfair targets. Let me assure those that think this, no it is not. Even as a five star breeder, my care and welfare far exceeds the requirements and it is not difficult, in all honesty it is basic animal welfare, simple!

If you think that creating individual records for pups and your dogs at home and completing 4 hourly observations is too much, then you shouldn’t be breeding.

If cleaning bowls twice daily, feeding at least once daily or four times for pups, moping the floor twice daily, grooming your dog, health and behaviour checking daily, providing enrichment and providing a preventative treatment plan (to name a few basic areas) is too much, you shouldn’t even be owning a dog! Basic husbandry and welfare.

Every year, if not more often and often dynamically I look at my practice, my record keeping and make improvements, I look back and read how my pups developed, I share information with owners, everything is documented. Why? Everything I document I find useful in the future, when I am not sure I check back, how did that pup react to a scent, sound, texture.
Whilst I do agree there is some inconsistency in how the regulations are applied in different areas of the country, without them our dogs and pups would have no voice. There are people out there wanting deregulation, but there are too many risks.

For me it is imperative that anyone breeding a dog should gain knowledge first and get that license, yes it is expensive, but so is a caring for a dam all year, a c-section and raising pups. I can hear breeders here crying at me with the “there is no money in it, I am a hobby breeder” … I hear you, so am I! But Welfare before Wallet.

The welfare of the animals must come before our wallets! Perhaps councils could consider reducing their rates?

For more information and details relating to the figures visit Naturewatch.