The Welfare of Greyhounds Bill is due to come into effect in Ireland which should pave the way for Phil Hogan to sign the Order bringing into effect the Dog Breeding Act.  The latter will be the first time that by law dog breeders in Ireland have to be licensed. The media believes it will be the end of puppy farming but of course in reality that will not be the case as we have seen in Wales. However for both the greyhounds and some breeding dogs life must surely improve in Ireland. 
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1112/1224307459236.html

I think that a breeding license for everyone is what has been needed, just having to go down a little official route before starting may put off all the 'let's have a go' groups and impulse breeders, it's a shame that health screening isn't also part of the license being granted, but maybe in time it will be too. For KC registered pups being born it will mean all bitches will be protected by the one litter per 12 month rule too. (Maybe open to special circumstances if need be)

It now needs to be well advertised out in the world where the GP live so that they know about it, no good having a bill if the public don't know and it needs to be properly policed.

I dare say it will help a little maybe in time a lot and look forward to it coming over to the rest of the UK.

It may not put everything to rights overnight, but it's a step in the right direction, good news indeed :-)

>It now needs to be well advertised out in the world where the GP live so that they know about it, no good having a bill if the public don't know and it needs to be properly policed

But do you think this will actually happen Carrington?  I have always (since 2006) told puppy buyers about the Animal Welfare Act, and their responsibility for a pet.  I have not had anyone say that they were aware of the Act.  Although they do get the shortened version in their puppy packs.

I don't know JeanSW, but this is part of the problem if people do not realise, it is exactly the same problem with regards to Dam's and Sires without health tests as well the GP do not know, it is terrible that the message is not being put out there.

When everyone had a dog license, back in the day :-) we all knew about it, we all knew we had to trot to the post office to get our dog license, so word can be spread and put out there when it is needed.

I just really hope that it is advertised in the Post office, at the vets, maybe even on our council tax bills, but the effort has to be made otherwise it will be pointless, no-one will know until they get a knock at the door.

> When everyone had a dog license, back in the day :-) we all knew about it, we all knew we had to trot to the post office to get our dog license, so word can be spread and put out there when it is needed.
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and very few people did buy it and it was only 37 1/2p.  don't see anyone letting Flossie have a litter and trotting off to pay anything like the £500 being quoted for Northern Ireland for any one breeding two litters or owning 3 entire bitches.

Quite, I was the only person to buy the last dog licenses in our town - one every year for 5 years, the numbers were consecutive     The postmaster used to laugh as he sold it to me, I couldn't understand why people wouldn't spend the 37p to be 'legal'

Personally, if I have to pay a hefty license on top of the health testing and showing for keeping 3 entire bitches, I will have two choices - either start breeding on every season to make it worth while, or give up and neuter my bitches and let the illegal breeders and money spinning breeders take over.

Not much of a choice is it?