Investigation suggests most UK puppy breeding occurs outside licensed system

New research by Naturewatch Foundation suggests that only an estimated 10.5% to 14% of puppies bred in the UK originate from licensed breeders, raising questions about the extent of regulatory oversight across the country’s dog breeding sector.

The findings are based on Freedom of Information requests submitted to local authorities across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. According to the charity’s analysis, between 86% and 89.5% of puppies may come from sources outside the licensed breeding system, including breeders operating below licensing thresholds, unlicensed breeders and illegal breeding operations.

Naturewatch Foundation said the figures highlight ongoing concerns about the traceability and oversight of dog breeding in the UK. The organisation is calling on the UK Government to progress a previously announced consultation on dog breeding regulation in England as part of its wider commitment to tackle puppy farming.

The investigation also identified a reduction in the number of female dogs recorded within licensed breeding operations. Data obtained by the charity indicates that around 17,395 female dogs are currently kept for licensed breeding in the UK, representing a decrease of more than 5,500 dogs compared with Naturewatch Foundation’s 2025 research.

The report further highlights significant variation in the scale of licensed breeding establishments. While most licensed breeders were found to keep 10 or fewer breeding dogs, a smaller number are authorised to keep considerably larger numbers. The research identified 27 licensed breeders permitted to keep more than 50 breeding dogs, with some of the largest operations located in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Naturewatch Foundation said the findings demonstrate the need for greater transparency and consistency in dog breeding regulation. The charity argues that stronger oversight could improve traceability within the puppy trade and provide greater assurance regarding breeding standards and animal welfare.

According to the organisation, the data suggests that the majority of puppies entering UK homes are currently produced outside the dedicated licensing framework, limiting the visibility of breeding practices and making it more difficult to assess compliance with welfare standards.