Dog Breeder Licensing Requirements by State
Find out if you need a license to breed dogs in your state. We cover all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, plus USDA federal rules, with links to official sources.
Explore the Map
Click any state to see its dog breeder licensing requirements.
USDA / APHIS Federal Licensing
Learn when a federal license is required for selling dogs sight-unseen and what the Animal Welfare Act means for breeders.
View federal requirementsUSDA License Lookup
Search and verify any USDA-licensed dog breeder or dealer. Our database includes 2,934 active Class A and Class B licensees.
Search the databaseAll States & Territories
Alabama
ALNo state-level threshold exists. Local rules vary by city and county.
Alaska
AKNo state-level threshold exists. Some municipalities set their own thresholds (e...
Arizona
AZFive or more dogs kept in a controlled area requires a kennel permit. Kennels wi...
Arkansas
ARNo state-level threshold. Local rules vary. Some cities require permits for 5+ d...
California
CAThree or more litters or 20 or more dogs sold, transferred, or given away in the...
Colorado
COMore than 24 dogs transferred per year or more than 2 litters per year
Connecticut
CTMore than 5 litters per year requires a local kennel license
Delaware
DEMore than 4 dogs kept for breeding, sale, show, or other purposes
Florida
FLNo statewide threshold; varies by county
Georgia
GAMore than 1 litter per year or more than 30 adult dogs sold per year
Hawaii
HINo statewide threshold exists; proposed legislation would set limits at 30+ inta...
Idaho
IDVaries by city and county; state law provides for kennel licenses covering 15 do...
Illinois
ILMore than 5 unspayed female dogs capable of reproduction
Indiana
INMore than 19 unaltered female dogs at least 12 months of age
Iowa
IA4 or more sexually intact dogs over 12 months old used for breeding or sale
Kansas
KS3 or more litters per year, or 30 or more dogs sold or maintained for sale
Kentucky
KYVaries by county; proposed state law would set threshold at 5+ intact female dog...
Louisiana
LAVaries by parish; kennel license required for 5 or more dogs; retail sellers mus...
Maine
ME5 or more adult female dogs or cats capable of reproduction, or 16+ animals sold...
Maryland
MD6 or more unspayed female dogs over 6 months old kept for breeding, or 6+ litter...
Massachusetts
MAMore than 4 dogs over 3 months old (personal kennel); commercial breeding for sa...
Michigan
MI3+ dogs for kennel license; 15+ intact females that have whelped for LDBK regist...
Minnesota
MN10 or more adult intact animals AND more than 5 litters per year
Mississippi
MS10 or more litters or 50 or more puppies sold or transferred in a 12-month perio...
Missouri
MOMore than 3 intact females for commercial license; hobby/show breeders with up t...
Montana
MTNo statewide threshold; local rules vary (some cities require kennel licenses fo...
Nebraska
NE31+ dogs sold per year, 4+ breeding dogs owned, or 4+ litters per year
Nevada
NVCommercial breeders who breed dogs for sale or trade; hobby breeders are exempt
New Hampshire
NH10+ litters or 50+ puppies per year for full license; 30 or fewer animals per ye...
New Jersey
NJAny person operating a kennel (facility housing dogs); pet dealers selling 5+ do...
New Mexico
NMNo statewide threshold; local rules vary (commonly 4 to 8 adult dogs triggers a ...
New York
NYMore than 25 dogs/cats sold per year requires mandatory licensing; 9-25 animals ...
North Carolina
NCBreeding more than the offspring of five canine or feline females per year
North Dakota
NDNo state threshold; federal USDA rules apply if more than 4 breeding females and...
Ohio
OHCounty kennel license required for all kennels; high-volume breeder license for ...
Oklahoma
OK11 or more intact female dogs used for breeding or selling
Oregon
OR10+ unsterilized dogs aged 8 months or older triggers care standards; 50 intact ...
Pennsylvania
PA26 or more dogs of any age on the premises in a calendar year
Puerto Rico
PROwning 3 or more intact female dogs or cats for breeding purposes, or breeding/s...
Rhode Island
RI3 or more litters per year, or 20 or more puppies per year, or any wholesale sal...
South Carolina
SCNo state threshold currently; proposed bill (S. 720) would set it at 10+ intact ...
South Dakota
SDMore than 3 unaltered dogs for breeding OR selling more than 30 dogs in a 12-mon...
Tennessee
TNDog/Cat Dealer license required for selling to research facilities; SB 2513 prop...
Texas
TX5 or more adult intact female dogs or cats bred for sale
Utah
UTNo statewide threshold; varies by local jurisdiction
Vermont
VTSelling dogs from 3 or more litters in any 12-month period
Virginia
VAMaintaining 30 or more adult female dogs during any 12-month period for the prim...
Washington
WANo state license required, but state law limits breeders to 50 intact dogs; enha...
Washington D.C.
DCMore than 25 animals bred and sold per year (commercial breeder license); 7 or m...
West Virginia
WV11 or more unsterilized dogs over age 1 kept for breeding
Wisconsin
WISelling 25 or more dogs per year from more than 3 litters
Wyoming
WYNo statewide threshold; varies by local jurisdiction
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to breed dogs?
It depends on your state and how many dogs you breed. Some states require a license if you have a certain number of breeding dogs or sell a certain number of litters per year. You may also need a USDA federal license if you sell dogs online or ship them to buyers. Check your state's page on this site for details.
What is the USDA breeder license?
The USDA breeder license is a federal license managed by APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service). It is required for breeders who maintain more than four breeding females and sell dogs sight-unseen (online, by phone, or by mail). Breeders with four or fewer breeding females who sell only offspring born and raised on their premises are exempt. This is separate from any state license you may need.
How much does a dog breeder license cost?
Costs vary widely by state. Some states have no licensing fee, while others charge between $50 and $500 or more per year. USDA federal license fees are based on the number of animals and type of business. Check your specific state's page for detailed fee information.
What happens if I breed dogs without a license?
Penalties for breeding dogs without a required license vary by state. They can include fines, seizure of animals, and in some cases criminal charges. It is important to check your state and federal requirements to make sure you are in compliance.
How many dogs can I breed without a license?
This depends on your state. Some states let you breed a small number of litters per year (often 1-2) without a license. Others set the threshold based on the number of intact female dogs you own, such as 5 or more. A few states do not require any breeder license at all. Check your state's page for the exact threshold.
Do hobby breeders need a license?
In many states, hobby breeders who produce only a small number of litters per year are exempt from licensing. However, the definition of "hobby breeder" varies. Some states still require registration even for small-scale breeders. If you sell any puppies, it is a good idea to check your state's requirements.
Do I need both a state and federal license to breed dogs?
You may need both. State licenses are based on your state's laws. A federal USDA license is required if you maintain more than four breeding females and sell dogs sight-unseen (online, by phone, or by mail). If you have four or fewer breeding females, or if you only sell face-to-face, you likely do not need a USDA license — but you may still need a state license.
What is the difference between a kennel license and a breeder license?
A kennel license allows you to keep a certain number of dogs on your property, while a breeder license specifically allows you to breed and sell dogs. Some states combine them into one permit. In other states, you may need both a local kennel license and a separate state breeder license. Check your state and local requirements.