Last week I wrote that Daisy’s nine puppies were now big enough to go to their new homes.

I mentioned that, even as a seasoned vet, the entire process had been a learning curve. Not only the caring for a litter of puppies side of things but also the legislation involved.

My understanding (and the understanding of all my colleagues) when it came to legislation surrounding dog breeding was that if you were only going to have a one-off litter in a home situation there was no need to apply for a dog breeding licence. A licence was only necessary if you were looking to breed more than one or two litters a year. I can tell you now that this reading of the legislation is wrong.

As I was informed by Dorset Council when my pups were about four weeks old, anyone selling puppies for any degree of profit (however small that may be) needs to get a breeding licence.

What people tend to do (including me, my colleagues and lots of people I know that have bred dogs) is read the bit in the 2018 Animal Welfare Act that says you need a licence if breeding more than two litters a year but then fail to go on to read the bit that says that selling of puppies for any profit means you need a licence.

Dorset Council is currently making a concerted effort to get breeders to get licences – and if this stops dodgy people breeding dodgy litters and helps animal welfare, I am all for it.

So, in conclusion – if you are thinking of breeding have a look at the legislation – and if in doubt speak to Dorset Council – you may be surprised by the process you have to go through.

Alice Moore is a vet at Castle Veterinary Clinic, Dorchester and Weymouth. Phone 01305 267083