Legal-accuracy check per jurisdiction
This dog breeding checklist turns the rules into concrete, tickable actions — the things to confirm before a mating, before a litter, and before a sale. Work through it for each litter, adapt it to your country, and treat it as a floor to clear, not a badge to earn. A downloadable, editable version accompanies this page.
The most important first
- Use this before every litter, not just your first.
- It covers four stages: eligibility, documentation, EU traceability, and the point of sale.
- The rules vary by country — the “confirm locally” prompts are where you fill in your own.
- Capturing traceability details from the first litter saves a scramble later.
- This is a practical aid, not legal advice.
How to use this dog breeding checklist
Run through each section in order as you plan a litter. Anything you can’t tick is a task, not a formality — resolve it before you go further. Where a line says confirm locally, that is a rule that differs by country and that you need to pin down for your own situation. Keep your completed checklist with the litter’s records.
Before you breed — eligibility and permissions
- Both parents meet your kennel club’s registration and breeding requirements.
- Required health tests for your breed are done, recorded and within any validity period. Not sure which tests apply? Check your breed’s page with OFA/CHIC (USA) or your national kennel club and parent breed club.
- Both dogs have had a pre-breeding veterinary exam, including Brucella canis screening and up-to-date core vaccinations. Veterinary guidance recommends a breeding soundness exam before any planned mating. It includes screening both dogs for Brucella canis, an infection that causes pregnancy loss and can spread to people. Ask your veterinarian which tests to do and when.
- Minimum breeding age and any limit on litter frequency are met.
- You know your national, regional or local licensing/permit threshold, and whether this litter crosses it (confirm locally).
- Any license or permit you need is in place (confirm locally).
Documentation to prepare
- A written sales contract, ready and reviewed.
- Health declaration / health-test results ready to share with buyers.
- A record-keeping system for the litter (litter card, health log, buyer records).
- Insurance position understood and, where relevant, in place.
EU traceability — capture from the first litter
For breeders in the EU, these become legal duties under Regulation (EU) 2026/1818, with identification and registration applying to anyone placing dogs on the market from 31 August 2030. Until then, and outside the EU, treat this section as good practice; some countries already require microchipping (for example England, for dogs over eight weeks).
- Microchipping and registration arranged in an approved database (confirm local timing). Under the EU regulation, each puppy must be microchipped within three months of birth, and always before sale, and a veterinarian registers it in a national database.
- Each puppy’s origin and date of birth recorded.
- Good practice: a photo of the dam together with the litter taken and kept.
- Seller/breeder identity details prepared for registration.
At the point of sale
- Buyer’s consumer rights and your obligations understood (confirm locally).
- Contract terms, price and any conditions clear and in writing.
- Puppy pack prepared (documents, health record, care guidance). For the day itself, use the free printable puppy handover checklist.
- Microchip and registration transferred/updated as required (confirm locally). In the EU, give the buyer a document showing the microchip code and proof of registration, and make sure the change of owner is recorded.
Information, not legal advice
This checklist is a practical aid, not legal advice, and it cannot list every national rule. Confirm the specifics with your national kennel club and the relevant authority before you breed or sell.
Talk to your vet when planning: book a pre-breeding exam and Brucella canis testing before every planned mating, and ask first before breeding an older bitch or one with a previous cesarean.
Work on it
A few minutes here will teach you more than re-reading the article.
Ask yourself
- Which lines above can I honestly tick today, and which are open tasks?
- Have I localized every “confirm locally” prompt for my own country?
Do one thing
- Download the editable version, fill in your local rules once, and save it as your reusable master checklist.
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Sources & further reading
- EUR-Lex (Official Journal of the EU) — Regulation (EU) 2026/1818 on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability. eur-lex.europa.eu
- GOV.UK (Defra) — Dog breeding licensing: statutory guidance for local authorities. gov.uk
- legislation.gov.uk — The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, Schedule 1. legislation.gov.uk
- USDA APHIS — Tech Note: Dog Activities Requiring a USDA License or Registration. aphis.usda.gov
- Fédération Cynologique Internationale — International Breeding Rules of the FCI. fci.be
- Kennel club registration rules, in parallel: The Royal Kennel Club — Litter registration. royalkennelclub.com
- American Kennel Club — Litter registration glossary. apps.akc.org
- United Kennel Club — Registration policies. ukcdogs.com
- Dogs Australia (ANKC) — National Code of Practice. dogsaustralia.org.au
- Canadian Kennel Club — Code of Ethics. members.ckc.ca
- MSD Veterinary Manual (A. P. Davidson, DVM, DACVIM) — The Breeding Soundness Examination in Dogs and Cats. msdvetmanual.com
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals — CHIC Programs. ofa.org
This is general information, not legal advice; confirm the rules that apply in your jurisdiction.
Next steps
- Read first: Laws, regulations and organizations.
- Related: Animal welfare and breeding ethics.
- Return to the area hub: Becoming a responsible breeder: the complete foundation.
- Rules by country: United States · Canada · Australia · Hong Kong · Singapore · New Zealand · European Union · United Kingdom · Ireland · Sweden · Japan · China · India · Mexico · Brazil · France · Italy · Germany · Poland · Spain · Czechia · Hungary · Netherlands · Serbia · South Africa.