Responsible Breeding

Responsible breeders priced out, says Puppies.co.uk

Puppies.co.uk has said that responsible breeders are being priced out of the market with some breeders reporting that local council licensing fees have risen by up to 25%. A survey from the company has found that breeding costs now range from £3,000 to over £12,000 per litter. Some of the…

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Demand for puppies up 25% year-on-year

Demand for new puppies has increased 25% year-on-year according to new data from pet rehoming platform Pets4Homes. The platform also revealed that 45% of its puppies sold within four weeks in 2024 which is an all-time high. Animal welfare experts warn that the rising cost of caring for pets, vet…

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Puppy market returning to ‘more normal’, says puppies.co.uk

New data has revealed that there are currently 36 buyers per litter available in the UK down from the first half of 2021 where there were 99 buyers per litter, according to data from puppies.co.uk. This means that there are many puppies going unsold causing breeders to lower their prices,…

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Govt must clamp down on unlicensed pet breeders, say MPs

The government must clamp down on unregulated canine fertility clinics and unlicensed pet breeders, according to a report from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee. The report calls for a list of licensed breeders to be made public, and a change in the licensing regulations so as to include…

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Kennel Club launches ‘Voice for Dogs’ manifesto

The Kennel Club has announced the launch of a new manifesto, ‘A Voice for Dogs’, which calls upon the Welsh government to provide further support measures for dogs and their owners.  The group is asking the government to ensure that the laws surrounding the welfare of dogs are ”robust and…

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Do your bit for dog health by recommending pre-mating health testing

Promoting dog health schemes is one of my goals this year. As vets, we regularly see cases of debilitating and distressing inherited conditions in day to day practice, but we know that many people may wrongly believe these tests are only relevant for Kennel Club-registered pedigrees.  I often saw Labrador…

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SSPCA launches ‘Assured Puppy Breeder Scheme’

The SSPCA have announced the launch of its Assured Puppy Breeder Scheme. This free scheme will mark the SSPCA’s “ongoing efforts to tackle the illegal puppy trade”. The voluntary scheme will put emphasis on responsible breeding puppy breeding, and will be made available to every dog breeder in Scotland. The…

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Breeders ‘failing to put health over beauty’, vets say

A panel of veterinary experts has called for “a championing of health over breeder-led perfect looks” after it accused Crufts breeders of “failing to put health over beauty”. The Dog Breed Standards Panel was chaired by Lars B. Andersen, CEO of Arty Lobster and featured professionals such as TV vet…

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BVA urges owners and breeders to use pre-mating health testing

Vets are urging owners and breeders to “do their bit” for dog health by ensuring they use pre-mating health tests if they intend to breed from their pedigree or ‘designer’ crossbreed dog. The appeal comes as new statistics reveal that 70 percent of small animal vets very often or always…

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BVA welcomes Cabinet Secretary’s statement on improving pet welfare in Wales

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has responded to a range of new measures announced recently (19 June) to further improve pet welfare standards in Wales. Measures outlined in the statement from Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, included a commitment to improving dog breeding regulations, a…

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