Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2025

3 Content of code: in relation to transfer of young dog by first owner

(1) This section applies in relation to the transfer of a dog if—

(a) the dog is aged less than 12 months, and

(b) the prospective supplier is the first owner of the litter of puppies from which the dog comes.

(2) The dog is not to be transferred if it is aged less than 8 weeks.

(3) Before acquiring the dog, the prospective acquirer is (unless this is not practicable) to see the dog with its biological mother.

(4) Subsection (3) does not apply if—

(a) separation of the dog from its biological mother is necessary for the welfare of the dog, other dogs from the same litter or its biological mother, or

(b) its biological mother is deceased.

(5) Before acquiring the dog, the prospective acquirer is to—

(a) become familiar with circumstances in which the activity of supplying a dog aged less than 12 months would require a licence or registration under regulations made under section 27(1) or (2) of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, and

(b) if it appears that any such circumstances may be applicable in relation to the transfer of the dog, take all reasonable steps to establish that the licence or registration (as the case may be) is in place.

(6) Before acquiring the dog, the prospective acquirer is to confirm with the prospective supplier that the dog has been microchipped.

(7) In this section—

• “first owner” means the person who owns the litter at the time of its birth,

• “microchipped” means microchipped in accordance with regulation 6 of The Microchipping of Dogs (Scotland) Regulations 2016 (S.S.I. 2016/58).