Breeding dogs

You can read the dog breeding licensing statutory guidance to determine whether you need a licence to breed dogs. Please contact us if you need to discuss the licensing requirements further.

Applying for a new licence

To apply for a new licence, please complete and return the breeding dogs application form. 

New licence fees

*a veterinary inspection fee is also payable for new dog breeding licences, please contact us for further details.

There is a non-refundable application fee payable when you apply and an enforcement fee payable once the licence is granted.  We cannot issue the licence until we receive the enforcement fee. 

If you apply for more than one licensable activity at the same time, you only need to pay the application and enforcement fee once. You can then pay a £50 fee for each additional activity.

If you do this, the higher application or enforcement fee will apply as the main activity, and the lower priced activity will be charged at the additional £50 fee.

This only applies when you apply for or renew all licences at the same time. If you don’t apply at the same time, you will need to pay the separate application and enforcement fees for each activity.

Renewing your licence

We will write to you before your licence is due to expire to explain how to renew your licence. You will need to submit your completed application at least ten weeks before your existing licence expires.  Please use our breeding dogs application form.

Renewal fees

There is a non-refundable application fee payable when you apply and an enforcement fee payable once the licence is granted.  We cannot issue the licence until we receive the enforcement fee. 

If you renew more than one licensable activity at the same time, you only need to pay the application and enforcement fee once. You can then pay a £50 fee for each additional activity.

If you do this, the higher application or enforcement fee will apply as the main activity, and the lower priced activity will be charged at the additional £50 fee.

This only applies when you apply for or renew all licences at the same time. If you don’t apply at the same time, you will need to pay the separate application and enforcement fees for each activity.

Additional fees for these licences

• Application for re-rating / Major Variation - £140
• Minor variation - £20
• Additional copy of licence - £6.90

Star ratings for your business

Under the regulations, we will give your business a star rating, ranging from 1 star and 5 stars. We will base this rating on the level of risk and the animal welfare standards you adopt.

The star rating determines how long your licence will be for, which can be for one, two or three years.

Please read the animal activity licensing process statutory guidance to understand more about the regulations, how we decide on your business' star rating and the length of your licence.

Statutory guidance 

Defra has issued guidance for the animal activity licensing process and specific guidance for dog breeding:

• Animal activity licensing statutory guidance
• Dog breeding licensing statutory guidance

We are legally required to use the above guidance when making our licensing decisions. This will include their mandatory conditions, which we have to include in your licence. 

The guidance notes contain explanatory guidance for each mandatory condition, which we also must consider when determining your application and assessing compliance with the licence conditions.

Licensed dog breeders in Rushmoor

We recommend that you check a business breeding dogs has a current licence issued by us.  The licence should be clearly displayed at the premises. You can also contact us to confirm the business is licensed.

Current licences

View a list of current animal activity licences and their star rating.