The following is intended to provide you with a general knowledge of the requirements for becoming a licensed dog seller. For a more in-depth description of requirements, consult these statutes and rules.
Food and Water Requirements
Feeding at least once a day, unless health needs demand a different schedule
Proper amount and type of nutrition based on age, size, weight, health and condition
Uncontaminated and palatable food, stored in clean containers
Fluid and uncontaminated water, available all day or as often as necessary to keep dogs well-hydrated
Durable, clean, sanitized food and water containers
Health and Veterinary Care Requirements
Humane handling, without physical harm or unnecessary injury
Daily body, mobility and behavior checks
Grooming as often as necessary to prevent abnormal matted hair and overgrown nails
Dogs with communicable diseases separated from other susceptible animals
Veterinary exams as often as necessary to assure adequate care
Timely veterinary care for sick, diseased or injured dogs and when necessary, legal and humane euthanization
Exercise Requirements
Reasonable daily exercise based on breed, size, age and condition
Daily access to an indoor or outdoor area where dogs can run
No repetitive unsupervised activity such as running on a treadmill, except for good cause
Grouping and Separation Requirements
Separation into compatible groups
Females in estrus kept separated from sexually intact males except for breeding
Potentially harmful aggressive dogs kept separate from other dogs
Puppies under 4 months kept separate from all adults except dam or foster dam, unless under direct supervision
Behavior and Socialization Requirements
Daily, full-body physical contact with other compatible dogs, unless there’s good cause to avoid it
Daily positive human contact besides feeding time
Safe toys in the primary enclosure, unless there’s a good cause to remove them
Written plan for meeting these requirements, with instruction to employees and agents
Veterinary Care
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Must be at least 12 inches taller than the standing height of the tallest dog in it
For multiple dogs that get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day
- required floor space is determined by size of the largest dog, measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, and by the size and total number of dogs in the enclosure
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First calculate size needed for the largest dog in the enclosure:
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Largest dog up to 10 inches nose to tail, 4.5 square feet
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Largest dog 11-16 inches nose to tail, 8 square feet
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Largest dog 17-22 inches nose to tail, 12 square feet
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Largest dog 23-26 inches nose to tail, 18 square feet
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Largest dog 26-30 inches nose to tail, 24 square feet
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Largest dog more than 30 inches nose to tail, 30 square feet
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Then add this much space for each additional dog:
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Each dog up to 10 inches nose to tail, 3.375 square feet
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Each dog 11-16 inches nose to tail, 6 square feet
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Each dog 17-22 inches nose to tail, 9 square feet
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Each dog 23-26 inches nose to tail, 13.5 square feet
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Each dog 26-30 inches nose to tail, 18 square feet
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Each dog more than 30 inches nose to tail, 22.5 square feet
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Every dog in the enclosure needs 30 minutes of exercise daily in an indoor or outdoor area big enough for the dog’s size and temperament, considering the number of dogs using the area at the same time, and big enough to allow dogs to run.
For one dog that gets at least 120 minutes of exercise a day
- floor space requirements depend on the dog’s size:
- Up to 10 inches nose to tail, 4 square feet
- 11-16 inches nose to tail, 6 square feet
- 17-22 inches nose to tail, 10 square feet
- 23-26 inches nose to tail, 14 square feet
- 27-30 inches nose to tail, 18 square feet
- More than 30 inches nose to tail, 20 square feet
- The dog needs 120 minutes of exercise daily in an indoor or outdoor area big enough for the dog’s size and temperament, considering the number of dogs using the area at the same time, and big enough to allow the dog to run.
- Only one dog may be kept in this enclosure. If multiple dogs are in the enclosure, it needs to meet the space requirements for dogs getting at least 30 minutes of exercise, even if they get 120 minutes or more.
Whelping enclosures
- are primary enclosures for a single whelping dam and her puppies. Requirements differ from those for general primary enclosures. Whelping enclosures must:
- Have a solid floor where the puppies are kept
- Be an appropriate type for the breed
- Be tall enough for the dam to stand normally and comfortably
- Be large enough for the dam to stretch out so all puppies can nurse at the same time, and large enough for the number and temperament of the puppies
- Include an area where the dam is not accessible to the puppies (solid floor not required in this area)
Nursery enclosures
- are primary enclosures for puppies between weaning and 4 months. They must be large enough to allow all the puppies to turn around, stand up, lie down, and move normally, and to encourage socialization and exercise.
Temporary enclosures for one dog
- do not have to meet primary enclosure size standards if:
- Only one dog is in the enclosure at a time
- The dog is in the enclosure for 12 hours a day or less
- The enclosure is large enough to accommodate the length of the dog’s body from tip of the nose to base of the tail
- The dog can stand normally and comfortably, turn around, and lie down.
Floors and interior surface requirements
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Dirt floors prohibited
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Floors and other interior surfaces must be built and maintained to keep dogs clean, dry and safe, and must be regularly cleaned and sanitized.
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Metal wire mesh floors are allowed if:
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It is not a whelping area used by puppies.
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The wire is coated to prevent injury to dogs’ feet
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The wire is a heavy enough gauge to prevent sagging and injury to dogs’ feet
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Openings in stainless steel or wire mesh floors must be small enough to prevent the smallest dog’s feet from going through or becoming entangled
Stacked primary enclosure requirements (Indoor only)
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Floor of top enclosure 52 inches or less from the floor of the room
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Stacking arrangement that allows for safe dog handling, adequate ventilation and temperature control, easy cleaning and sanitization, and easy inspection
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Fully ventilated front and solid floor that is easy to clean and sanitize in each stacked enclosure
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Stacked enclosures stable when filled to maximum capacity
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No feces, urine, dirt or debris falling from higher enclosures to those below
Lighting, temperature and ventilation requirements
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Enough natural or artificial light on a day-night cycle to assure proper care, maintenance and inspection of the facility and the dogs
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Heating and cooling based on the ability of breed to adjust to temperature changes, with protection from heat, cold and humidity that may harm the dogs’ health
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Adequate ventilation with fresh or filtered air to minimize odors, drafts, ammonia levels and condensation
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Indoor-outdoor air exchange required
Cleaning and sanitizing requirements
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Feces removed from primary enclosures and other holding areas at least once a day and more often if necessary for dogs’ health and comfort
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Primary enclosures and other holding areas cleaned and sanitized as often as necessary to keep them free of accumulated dirt, debris and disease hazards
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Primary enclosures cleaned and sanitized before new dogs placed in them
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Dogs must be removed from enclosures and holding areas before cleaning and sanitizing and not returned until the area is dry
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Clean, dry, breed-appropriate bedding or solid resting place appropriate for breed, age, and condition, unless other arrangements are necessary for dog’s health and safety
Dogs kept outdoors must be:
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Able to tolerate temperatures and conditions based on breed, age, health, and condition
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Acclimated to the temperatures that may occur
Minimum area
- not including any dog shelter, is determined by size of the largest dog, measured from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail, and by the size and total number of dogs in the enclosure.
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First calculate size needed for the largest dog in the enclosure:
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Largest dog up to 10 inches nose to tail, 4.5 square feet
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Largest dog 11-16 inches nose to tail, 8 square feet
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Largest dog 17-22 inches nose to tail, 12 square feet
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Largest dog 23-26 inches nose to tail, 18 square feet
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Largest dog 26-30 inches nose to tail, 24 square feet
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Largest dog more than 30 inches nose to tail, 30 square feet
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Then add this much space for each additional dog:
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Each dog up to 10 inches nose to tail, 3.375 square feet
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Each dog 11-16 inches nose to tail, 6 square feet
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Each dog 17-22 inches nose to tail, 9 square feet
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Each dog 23-26 inches nose to tail, 13.5 square feet
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Each dog 26-30 inches nose to tail, 18 square feet
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Each dog more than 30 inches nose to tail, 22.5 square feet
Construction requirements
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Built and maintained to prevent escape
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Any roof or overhead screen must be at least 12 inches higher than standing height of tallest dog
Dog shelter requirements
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Accessible by all dogs in the enclosure
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Made of durable material with four sides, a roof and a flat solid floor
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One shelter big enough to accommodate all dogs without crowding, to allow the tallest dog to stand normally and comfortably, and to allow all dogs to turn around and lie down, or
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Multiple shelters that together provide enough space for these conditions and activities
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Built to prevent injury, allow all dogs to hold or give off enough body heat for health and comfort, stay dry and clean, and protect from predators
Sun and wind break
- other than the dog shelter, must be adequate to accommodate all dogs in the enclosure
Tethering permitted only if:
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Dog is of a breed, age, health, and condition that can tolerate tethering
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Dog can easily enter and lie down in the dog shelter
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Dog is not pregnant or nursing pups
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Tether is at least 6 feet long and longer if necessary for the size of the dog, has an anchor swivel, cannot become entangled with anything, and is attached to a non-tightening collar or harness large enough for the dog
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Tethering is allowed at animal shelters or control facilities for no more than 4 hours a day meeting above conditions, with a responsible person present
Run or exercise area requirements
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Access at least 30 minutes a day
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Large enough for the dog’s size and temperament, considering the number using the area at the same time, and so the dog can run
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Shade area big enough for all dogs using the exercise area
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Shelter not needed unless the area is also the primary enclosure
Maintenance
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Feces removed at least daily
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Pests and parasites controlled as necessary to maintain health and comfort
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Clean, dry, breed-appropriate bedding or solid resting place appropriate for breed, age, and condition, unless other arrangements are necessary for dog’s health and safety
Portable enclosure requirements
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Water-resistant and cleanable material with ventilation, designed to keep all dogs inside clean, dry, healthy and safe
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Securely closed when in use
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Cleaned and sanitized between use for different dogs, and more often as necessary
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Secured to prevent reasonably foreseeable movement that could injure dogs, and positioned to provide enough air for all dogs to breathe normally, to allow for emergency removal, to protect all dogs from the elements, and to prevent excreta from falling on dogs
Care during transport
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Protect at all times from hypothermia or hyperthermia, including use of heating or cooling if necessary.
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Enough room for each dog to turn, stand and lie down, except if dogs are transported during a dog trial, dog training or hunting.
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Food and water according to “General standards of care” listed above
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Separate incompatible dogs.
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Visually inspect each dog every 4 hours.
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Remove each dog from the vehicle at least every 12 hours, and allow to urinate, defecate and exercise unless the vehicle is equipped to meet those needs.
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Remove dogs from the vehicle in a timely fashion at the destination
Transport vehicle requirements
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The vehicle provides fresh or filtered air, without injurious drafts
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Dog cargo space built and maintained to minimize exhaust fumes seeping in
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License holders, their employees or their agents may not:
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Interfere with a DATCP inspection or assault an inspector
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Fail to produce evidence or records requested by DATCP, without just cause
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Misrepresent a dog’s breed or pedigree
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Move a diseased dog in violation of current laws
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Conceal or misrepresent disease status or knowingly commingle exposed or diseased dogs with other dogs
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Knowingly accept dogs from someone not properly licensed, unless that person accepted the dogs to protect them and promptly reported the acceptance to DATCP