Something else for people who are thinking about breeding their dogs to consider :-

http://www.thisisessex.co.uk/essex/news/NEWS3.html

Margot

Class A drug dealer??? huh...did I get the right link???? what happend?

I just KNEW that trying to be flash & do a link wouldn't work.....I'd forgotten that this paper changes its headers so quickly - here is the bit I was trying to post:-

Benfleet: Dogs were bred illegally
Benfleet woman Pamela Brown, of Ullswater Road, has been prosecuted for illegal dog breeding as part of a new crackdown in Castle Point.

She admitted breeding dogs at her home without a licence and was given a two-year conditional discharge at Southend Magistrates' Court and ordered to pay £150 towards costs.

Published Monday June 28, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Echo

Sorry if im sounding thick but thought you needed a license if you had more than 2 bitches breeding. Is that correct please advise!!

That certainly used to be the ruling, but it has been changed. I believe I'm right in saying that you need a licence if you breed more than 4 litters a year. Someone will know for sure.
:)

I will try and find out more about this - but it shoudl be a warning for those who think that breeding dogs just means finding a stud for their bitch!!!!

Margot

hiya all. the fact is that if you/anyone breeds more than 4 litters in any (calender) 12 months, then they must have a breeders licence from their local council/authority

I think it varies between local councils, I gather they are left to determine their own policies in the light of the welfare of dogs act etc. Mine now say you need a licence if you have five or more litters in a calander year, but until recently they said you needed one if you kept two or more bitches with the intent of breeding.
they also vary in the standards required for licensing - my local council don't appear to have a written standard to judge against - they just send you an application for a licence with no guidelines as to the criteria used. Seems daft to me - how can you prepare to meet licensing conditions if they won't/can't tell you what they are...And if it's left to the inspecting person to judge surely this will lead to wide variation in standards that are approved...
My local council use the same licence for boarding as breeding which I think is wrong, surely more precautions need to be taken when dogs are constantly coming and going? I understand that some councils insist on metal runs whilst some are happy with wood. Perhaps it's time the KC took over (funding could be diverted from the council) gave national guidance and conditions so everyone is in the same position!

Before you jump on me for breeding +++, I only have two bitches but wanted guidance on the 'standards' expected of a responsible owner/breeder so I enquired.:)

It can't vary as this is the law, anyone breeding more than four litters in a 12 month period has to be Licensed, or anyone the Council consider is breeding as a Business.