Is there any limit on the number of dogs you can own in England?

[AdoraBell]

I know I need to look after them properly etc, but am I limited to x number per adult, or amount of space, or anything else? So much has changed, for the better, that I'm no longer fully informed.

We have 4 dogs, not hundreds, and won't be breeding or buying anymore.

[Soditall]

If there is I've never heard of one.

We have 3 dogs,I think as long as you can look after all they're needs and they're not causing a nuisance to anyone else then the amount of dogs you have isn't a problem.

[MrsZoidberg]

At the moment there isn't a limit but there have been mutterings about putting it in the Dangerous Dogs Act due to a girl being killed whilst in a house with 5 dogs.

Personally I would be very pissed off if they brought in this rule. I have 3 large dogs, PiLs, who live with us, have 2 small dogs. If we lived in a 2 bed 3rd floor flat then this would probably be stupid, but we live in a large barn conversion with separate annex and 2.5 acres. So how can they bring in a blanket rule that would be fair in both scenarios?

[LtEveDallas]

I have a friend with 8 dogs in a 3 bed semi, and another with 6! I think Private and Social Landlords are allowed to limit, but people in their own homes can have as many as they want as long as they aren't a noise nuisence and they are well cared for.

[numptysmummy]

Thought you had to register wit your local council if you have more than a certain number of breeding aged bitches...

[AdoraBell]

Thank you everyone,

numpty'smummy sorry, I didn't make it clear, all are neutered.

[Owllady]

MrsZoidberg , I would ahve thought they would have different rules surely for people in agricultural settings/industries

[MrsZoidberg]

But I'm not in the agricultural business. I'm just a homeowner who was lucky to have a paddock come with my house.

[Scuttlebutter]

Dog Control Orders can be used by local Councils to restrict the number of dogs walked together at a time in areas such as parks (aimed at professional dog walkers).

Some social housing providers may limit the number and types of pets allowed in properties.

Licensing by local Councils is aimed at dog breeders, so is based on the number of unspayed bitches you have - no limit on entire male dogs or neutered dogs.

Other than that, no, you are happily free to have as many dogs as you wish, provided of course that you can care for them and you are a good neighbour (noise issues, etc.)

Are you likely to return to the UK, which is prompting this question?

We currently have four dogs - our dog trainer has six and the most I know of personally is someone who has around seventeen - she provides care for elderly sighthounds so the exact number varies frequently but is consistently in the high teens.

[AdoraBell]

We are hoping to return, it all depends on selling the house here.

Thanks again everyone.