Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Monday, 8 October 2018, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 October 2018 (named day). It was answered by David Rutley (Conservative) on Thursday, 11 October 2018 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dogs: Animal Breeding

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans he has to strengthen current regulations on the maximum number of litters that a breeding dog may have during its lifetime; and what measures he intends to put in place so that breeders are legally responsible for the welfare of breeding dogs once they have stopped breeding.

Answer: The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 came into force on 1 October this year, and require that no breeding dog is mated if it is under 12 months’ of age; gives birth to no more than one litter every twelve months; gives birth to no more than six litters in total; and is not mated if it has had two litters delivered by caesarean section. The maximum number of dogs that a breeding dog may have during its lifetime was agreed with key animal welfare organisations and veterinary groups prior to the new regulations being drafted. As with any dog it is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that the welfare needs of a retired breeding dog are met, as required under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. There are no proposals to make any changes to the regulations at this very early stage. The regulations are subject to review within 5 years.

Secondary information