There has been lots of chatter within the community following the publication of the 2024 Post Implementation Review (PIR) of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018. In short, it is a review of the current dog breeding guidance set down by Defra.
The review looks at whether the policy is effective and whether it is achieving its aims. The conversation trends within the breeder community highlight the lack of clarity and consistency and many unlicensed breeders are left unsure on whether they need to license or not!
The varied interpretation of the guidance across local authorities countrywide adds to the confusion and in the blur of this bureaucracy, the dogs and their welfare become secondary to the paperwork exercise that licensing has become.
What does the Dog Breeding Licensing Guidance Review say?
According to their data there are 2224 licensed dog breeders across 261 local authorities. Considering that the regulations currently state “anyone breeding and selling dogs as a business and/or those breeding three or more litters in any twelve-month period are required to hold a licence”, this figure is much lower than anticipated.
The review defines the two types of breeders – small scale and large scale, differentiating between home and kennel-based breeding activities. It probes the effectiveness of the business test and the litter number rule, highlighting the negative implications on the small-scale home breeder, noted as a valued breeder within the community. The review seeks to support and protect these members by introducing a simplification of the requirements for licensing.
A registration system for litters being born has been suggested, whereby breeders would inform their local authority when a litter had been born. This ties in with enforcement around microchipping legislation and would mean that the need for licensing could be influenced by the litter threshold alone.
Crossbreed breeders were also supported within the review, specifically the issue of proving lineage and coefficients of inbreeding, and how this impacts them being able to attain higher standards, the review calls for this to no longer be applied.
I was heartened to see the issue of fertility clinics, whelping services and stud dog services addressed. So far these have fallen outside of the scope. The review calls for these services to be regulated. I feel this is huge step in fight to improve welfare and standards within the industry with many of these services known to support the dark end of dog breeding.
Other changes include;
- the introduction of a maximum breeding age.
- reducing the permitted number of caesareans.
- the introduction of a fitness to breed certificate; and bolstering protections found in against the breeding of dogs with extreme conformations.
- the condition should be broadened to include temperament, and for the condition to be more robustly linked to health testing.
If you are the type of person who prefers to watch a video on this, then have a nosey at this LIVE I hosted recently on the topic. Will Dixon from My Licensed Breeder and I chewed the cud over the findings and how they may affect us as breeders, and you can watch it below.
I do not think any responsible or ethical breeder is going to challenge any of the points above, they are welfare orientated and will raise standards. I am especially enrolled in the temperament evaluation of breeding dogs and feel that this and further education for breeders on canine body language and importance of understanding dogs will be the next steps on the road for better dog breeding practises.
Concluding the review were recommendations on the current schemes administration, costing and interpretation, stating that “the guidance could be more effective at guiding local authorities on the application of the regime and in being a source of information for licensed and unlicensed breeders.”
Ofqual Regulated Level 2 & 3 Qualifications for Dog Breeders
The report starts by noting an improvement in the level of puppy socialisation and overall enrichment, but we have a long way to go here. It is already a requirement for breeders and/or their staff to have gained Level 2 or Level 3 Ofqual regulated qualifications and canine first aid qualifications, supported by Continual Professional Development (CPD) and the acknowledgment of the need for breeders to be educated is the final piece in the puzzle for me.
Pupstarts Breeders are THE industry specific training provider serving the dog breeding community, so I am not ashamed to shout out loud that I would like to see breeder education become a prerequisite to breeding. Our Ofqual regulated Level 3 Certificate in Dog Breeding Litter Socialisation & Welfare was developed specifically for this reason. Being the first nationally recognised qualification for the sector, it gave dog breeders the opportunity to be qualified and professional, and to be supported in their breeding journey’s.
Mandella said “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” And he was right! If we want to change the landscape for dogs and improve welfare we must educate and inspire breeders to be better and breed better.
Do you have questions on Dog Breeding Licensing?
The guidance has been historically difficult to navigate, and advocates for the breeding community My Licensed Breeder have been working hard to support breeders with the licensing process. I am a member of their community, and I find the team a mine of information on licensing and legislation. They cut through the confusion when it comes to guidance and are on hand to help with any questions and queries you may have. They will even talk to your local authority on your behalf if you need them to!
Being a five-star licensed breeder myself this review, has in part, seen me breathing a sigh of relief. I think we have all felt a little unheard, and in some cases unfairly treated, by a framework that has not been fit for purpose, difficult to interpret and ineffective. However, this review does cover off on the crucial elements that we have been echoing through the licensing conversations time after time. It speaks into clarity, simplification, welfare lead reforms incorporating inclusive decisions across the WHOLE community. I welcome the changes, and sincerely hope they are brought to bear.
If you would like to learn more about Ofqual Regulated Level 2 or 3 Qualifications for Dog Breeders, or CPD Courses for Dog Breeders then hop across to www.pupstartsbreeders.com for more details on the courses we offer.
