Benefits Of Being A Licenced Breeder
Why I choose to be licenced
There are so many reasons why people should be licenced to breed dogs or in fact any animals, not just within the UK but other countries as well. A genuine breeder wants healthy dogs and litters, they want to improve the breed which can be eradicating health issues and always researching and keeping up to date on any possible new health issues that occur. A lot of time and dedication will be put into their own dogs making sure they fully understand the dogs characters, genes and to identify if any health issues arise.
To legally breed dogs you must be licenced by your local council but breeding is a lot more than being given a licence, it takes years of experience and knowledge. It is not as easy as putting a male and female together and then they produce puppies, there are so many other key facts that need to be taken into consideration before breeding. Dog breeding alone is a multi million pound industry and there are so many flaws within systems that people are using this purely for the financial benefit and gain not for the benefit or health of the dogs.
For myself to be just licenced there are a number of things I need to adhere to where the welfare of my Chihuahuas are the main focus of the licence, to be 5 star licenced I am required to adhere to even further requirements. I have attached below the most recent inspection I went through to give you an idea just what all licenced breeders have to go through and here are the requirements from the Gov Website
In 2018, England revised it’s regulations for the breeding and sale of puppies to tighten restrictions on breeding dogs for profit and further restrictions for hobby breeders. Have these revised regulations for breeding worked? No, people are still breeding that should not be but they have found ways to avoid the new regulations. Do I think anyone breeding dogs should be licenced with their local council? Absolutely, whether a person breeds one litter a year or 10 litters a year their dogs can still be living in poor conditions or the females are being bred back to back and their puppies can have a number of health issues. If they are not licenced there is no one regulating these requirements and looking out for the dogs they are getting away with it.
When you are looking for your new four legged family member, there are so many scams out there and I do not mean just the ones where you send money and end up with no puppy. You can purchase from a “so called” breeder or hobby breeder and your new family member can have multiple health issues that are so severe they can cost you thousands in vet bills or even worse. A legitimate breeder wants to protect you by providing you with the healthiest and most confident puppy, as they have the dogs and the breed in mind right from the start of the breeding process.
It is a requirement from any licenced breeder to display their licence number where ever they advertise including social media. If you do not see a licence number then they are either not licenced or this should be one of the first things you should ask them to provide you. However, should you check their licence number? Yes, especially if they are breeding multiple breeds. They might only be licenced to breed one dog but are actually not licenced to breed the other breeds of dogs.
Being licenced is mainly about the welfare of the dogs, Illegal breeders often keep dogs in poor conditions, leading to health and behavioural issues. Puppies are sometimes taken away from their mothers too early, which can cause long-term trauma. Mums can also be over bred, having back to back litters. If you visit a puppy and you feel the dogs welfare is compromised then reporting the “Breeder” is very important to the relevant authorities.
Here are a selection of questions and things to think about when searching for your new puppy.
Are you a licenced breeder and what is your licence number?
Health and Genetics:
Can you provide health clearances for both the puppy and the parents?
Have the parents been tested for common breed-specific genetic conditions?
What vaccinations and treatments (like deworming) has the puppy received so far?
Living Conditions:
Can I see where the puppies and their parents are kept?
How are the puppies socialized? Are they exposed to household noises, different people, and other animals?
Breeder Practices:
How long have you been breeding this breed? Can you provide references from past buyers?
What is your policy if we can’t keep the puppy for any reason?
Puppy’s Early Life:
How old is the puppy? (Puppies should be at least 8 weeks old before going to their new homes.)
Can I meet the puppy’s parents? Meeting the parents can give you an idea of the puppy’s future temperament and size.
Documentation:
Will I receive a written contract or guarantee?
Do you provide a pedigree, registration papers, and microchip information?
Support and Guidance:
What food has the puppy been eating? Do you provide a feeding guide?
Are you available for support or advice after we take the puppy home?
By asking these questions, you can ensure that you’re dealing with a reputable breeder who cares about the well-being of their dogs. Plus, you’ll be better prepared for bringing your new furry friend into your home!
Breeders Manipulating Dog Breeds
Another subject within the breeding industry is ‘So Called’ breeders that think they know what they are doing and have manipulated a breed to look a certain way. The health issues these breeders are causing by breeding dogs for appearance is animal abuse, and is a multi million pound industry. Presenting the dogs in a certain way to advertise them attracts buyers to their appearance and because they look intimidating. Which is why there should be stricter rules on breeding and everyone must be licenced not just within the UK but everywhere.
Breeders Terms
As a breeder you need to know every one of your breeding dogs for mating pairs to make sure you are not only breeding the best for the health but also character. Breeders terms is just another way around of being able to breed without being licenced, they will place multiple males and females to live with other people and only call on the dogs when they are mated or the female when they are due to give birth. This loophole again needs to be stopped, the breeder is not around the dog everyday so will not be aware of their full temperament. On a serious note they can not see if the dog is experiencing issues with its health that could potentially mean they are breeding in the health issue potentially. Once mum has given birth and the puppies are weaned off, she is then returned to their normal home.
