Small-scale home dog breeder

Families looking for a family pet, people wanting a particular breed, and show or working-dog handlers who want well-bred puppies.

A sale price per puppy, usually with a deposit to reserve a place. Income comes in lumps once or twice a year, so costs for health tests, food and vet care need to be budgeted across the year.

• Deep knowledge of one breed and its health issues
• Calm, patient animal handling
• Good communication and screening of buyers
• Careful record keeping

• Check with your local council whether you need a dog breeding licence, as rules depend on how many litters you breed and sell, and differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Check the rules on selling puppies, including age limits, third-party sales and microchipping and registration requirements
• You may need to register as a sole trader with HMRC, and check how tax applies if breeding is more than a hobby
• Get appropriate insurance, and check with your landlord, mortgage lender or council about breeding at home
• Litters can be small, puppies can have health problems, and vet bills can be high, so keep a financial cushion
• Be prepared to take puppies back or help rehome them if a buyer cannot keep them

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on the breed, health testing, whelping and puppy equipment, and vet bills. Litters can be small and puppies can have health problems, so keep a financial cushion.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £400 to £2,000, depending on litter size, how many litters you breed and the breed. The estimate assumes from about 15 hours a week. Vet bills can be high.

Check with your local council whether you need a dog breeding licence, as rules differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Also check puppy-sale rules, including age limits, third-party sales, microchipping and registration, plus tax and insurance.