Skip to main content

Public Consultation

Consultation on Draft Guidelines for the Operation and Management of Dog Breeding Establishments - Closing 19th November, 2010


The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. John Gormley, T.D., has published the draft Guidelines for the operation and management of Dog Breeding Establishments for public consultation.

The Dog Breeding Establishments Act was signed by the President on 21 July, 2010 following its passage through the Oireachtas.

The Act defines a dog breeding establishment as a premises with not less than 6 bitches of 6 months old and capable of breeding.

The Act provides that all dog breeding establishments be required to register with the relevant local authority, that they pay a registration fee and that they meet a minimum set of veterinary, welfare and other standards, together with some associated requirements.

It is important to note that no one with less than 6 female dogs over 6 months old are covered by the Act, but these draft guidelines are intended to lead to good practice which will applied to dog breeding establishments but could be used by anyone with dogs.


Interested organisations, stakeholders or individuals are invited to submit written observations on the attached draft guidelines no later than 19 November 2010 to the address below. Observations can be made in English or Irish and can be returned by post or email.   All observations may be released under Freedom of Information Acts 1997-2003.

Local Services Section
Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government
Newtown Road, Wexford.

Telephone: +353 (0)53 911 7429
Email:  dogbreedingpremises@environ.ie

  • Print this page

Publications & Documents

News and Speeches

Legislation