Dog breeding welfare and registration requirements

If you are a dog breeder in Queensland, you must comply with the animal welfare requirements for dog breeding under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 (ACPA), and the registration and supply requirements of the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 (AMCDA).

The code of practice for breeding dogs

The code of practice for breeding of dogs is compulsory under the ACPA. It applies to all dog breeders, even if you are exempt from breeder registration or own a dog that has an unplanned litter.

The code provides the minimum mandatory welfare requirements for breeding dogs and puppies, including housing, exercise, feed and water, care, handling and use, and record keeping.

The code is based on the Queensland Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Breeding Dogs and their Progeny, developed in consultation with RSPCA Queensland, the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission and Dogs Queensland in 2018. The guidelines are the recommended practices to achieve desirable animal welfare outcomes.

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is reviewing the code and guidance materials to ensure these keep pace with contemporary science, best practice and community expectations.

Register as a dog breeder

Under the AMCDA, you must register with DPI as a dog breeder within 28 days after your dog has a litter, unless you qualify for an exemption.

Exemptions

You don't need to register if any of the following apply:

  • you are a breeder of genuine working dogs that are held on rural land, and you supply all puppies to other primary producers as working dogs to be held on rural land
  • the dog was born before 26 May 2017
  • you are already a member of Dogs Queensland*
  • you are a permitted or registered breeder with the Gold Coast City Council, Logan City Council or Queensland Racing Integrity Commission*

*Note: These organisations will manage your registration for you.

How to register

Register with the Queensland Dog Breeder Register portal.

Selling, supplying or giving away dogs or puppies

If you advertise, sell, give away or supply dogs or puppies, you must provide a 'supply number' that identifies the registered breeder of that dog.

This means you have to register as a dog breeder and provide a supply number, even if:

  • you only want to breed one litter
  • your puppies are well looked after and in a safe environment
  • you don't sell the puppies, but breed them for family and friends
  • your dog has had an unplanned litter.

You can:

The dog's owner generally needs to register, but pounds and shelters with pregnant females or abandoned puppies in their care will also need to register.

Read more about dog breeder registration.

Supply of change of ownership form for a dog

As of 1 March 2020, new laws were introduced to require a person supplying a dog (selling or giving away a dog) to give particular details of the dog to the new owner, unless the person has a reasonable excuse.

A person supplying a dog must provide the new owner with a completed and signed change of ownership form or equivalent notice.

This will enable the new owner to change the dog's ownership details with the relevant microchip registry, assisting the new owner to comply with the requirement to update details of the dog held by the microchip registry.

Up-to-date details will ensure the safe return of the dog to the rightful owner if the dog becomes lost.

The change of ownership form must record details about the supply of the dog from 1 person to another person, including the:

  • name of the supplier of the dog
  • relevant supply number for the dog.

It may also include other identifying details such as the microchip number for the dog.

A change of ownership form or equivalent notice can be requested from the relevant microchip registry recording the dog's microchip details.

More information

Contact our Customer Service Centre.

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