Dog microchipping
Information for dog breeders
A dog's breeder (the registered owner of the mother of the pups) is the dog's first keeper.
It is the breeder's responsibility to get their puppies microchipped and recorded on a database - it is an offence if they are not listed as the first keepers.
The breeder cannot record the new owner as the first keeper of a puppy.
It is a legal requirement that puppies must be microchipped by the time they are eight weeks old.
When the compulsory microchipping for dogs came into effect
The Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2014 came into effect on Wednesday 6 April 2016.
This means all dogs aged 8 weeks and over must now be microchipped and registered on an approved DEFRA microchipping database.
Who is responsible for microchipping puppies
The puppy is required by law to have been microchipped by its original keeper or breeder before being sold.
If you have purchased a dog that is not microchipped, you need to make sure that you get your dog microchipped and registered onto an approved DEFRA microchipping database within 21 days of purchase.
If you have purchased a dog from a breeder that hasn't been microchipped, then the breeder has not complied with the law and it would be sensible to question whether the breeder is a responsible person to purchase a dog from.
Documentation you need to have to get a dog microchipped
Guidance on this will be provided by the microchip supplier / implanter on enquiry.
The minimum age a puppy has to be before being chipped
There is no minimum age specified in the regulations.
The puppy only has to be microchipped and registered to an approved database by the time they are 8 weeks old.
The government advises that the dog must be healthy enough to be implanted.
For further guidance, please contact your local vet.