Dog Breeding Laws in Indiana: What Breeders Must Know Before They Start

Indiana has a clearly defined regulatory framework for dog breeders, and knowing where you fall within it can be the difference between operating legally and facing serious penalties. Whether you keep a handful of dogs or run a large-scale breeding operation, the rules that apply to you depend primarily on how many unaltered females you maintain and how you sell the dogs you produce.

This guide walks you through every layer of Indiana’s dog breeding laws — from the commercial breeder threshold and registration process to facility standards, inspection requirements, and the federal rules that can apply on top of state law. If you breed dogs in Indiana, or plan to, understanding these regulations protects both your operation and the animals in your care.

Who Is Considered a Commercial Dog Breeder in Indiana

Indiana law draws a clear line between hobby breeders and commercial dog breeders, and that line is based on a specific number of dogs. Under Indiana Code, a “commercial dog breeder” is a person who maintains more than nineteen unaltered female dogs that are at least twelve months of age and engages in the sale of dogs — resulting from breeding — to a dog broker, a pet store, or the general public.

If you fall below that threshold, the state classifies you differently. A “hobby breeder” is a person who maintains fewer than twenty unaltered female dogs that are at least twelve months of age. Hobby breeders are not subject to the commercial registration requirements under IC 15-21, though local ordinances in your county or city may still impose their own rules.

Indiana law also defines a separate category for commercial dog brokers. A “commercial dog broker” means a person who is a Class “B” licensee under 9 CFR 1.1, or who sells at least five hundred dogs in a calendar year. Brokers face their own registration obligations distinct from breeders.

Key Insight: The 20-dog threshold applies per premises, not per owner. You cannot split dogs across multiple locations to avoid the commercial breeder classification.

Several categories of operations are explicitly exempt from Indiana’s commercial breeder law. The law does not apply to animal shelters, humane societies, animal rescue operations, hobby breeders, persons who breed at least 75% of their dogs as sport dogs for hunting purposes, or persons who breed at least 75% of their dogs as service dogs or dogs for use by police or the armed forces. If you breed primarily for hunting or working purposes, you may qualify for one of these exemptions — but you should verify your situation carefully before assuming you are exempt. You can also review hunting laws in Indiana for additional context on how sport and hunting dog activities are treated under state law.

Do You Need a License to Breed Dogs in Indiana

Indiana does not use the term “license” for breeders in the traditional sense — instead, the state requires registration. Indiana requires commercial dog breeders to register with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH). A commercial dog breeder is someone who keeps more than 19 unaltered female dogs that are at least 12 months old and sells dogs to brokers, pet stores, or the public.

Indiana law defines a commercial dog breeder as a person who maintains more than twenty unaltered female dogs that are at least twelve months of age. A person may not operate as a commercial dog breeder in Indiana without being registered with the Indiana State Board of Animal Health. Operating without registration is a direct violation of Indiana law under IC 15-21.

One important rule prevents breeders from gaming the system through creative dog placement. A person may not avoid registering by moving dogs to more than one premises. If there are twenty or more unaltered female dogs on a premises, there must be a registration for the premises even if there is more than one owner for the dogs.

Even if you are under those thresholds or operating non-commercially, some counties or cities may still require kennel permits or licenses, especially for boarding, training, or if the number of animals is above a local limit. Always check local ordinances. Indiana’s state law sets the floor, but local governments can add their own requirements on top of it. For comparison, see how dog laws in Ohio handle similar local-versus-state layering.

Important Note: As of July 1, 2024, retail pet stores, animal care facilities, and commercial dog breeders and brokers are all required to register with BOAH under amendments made by P.L.4-2024.

How to Get a Dog Breeder License in Indiana

The registration process for commercial dog breeders in Indiana runs through the Indiana State Board of Animal Health. A person may register by submitting a completed registration application and the required fee to the state veterinarian. A registration is valid for one year. The month the state veterinarian receives a completed application and the fee is paid is the month of registration, and that month of registration remains fixed.

Registration fees are scaled based on the number of unaltered female dogs you maintain. The fee to register or renew a commercial dog breeder registration is: $75 if you have not more than 50 unaltered female dogs at least 12 months of age; $200 if you have more than 50 but not more than 100; $300 if you have more than 100 but not more than 150; $400 if you have more than 150 but not more than 250; and $500 if you have more than 250 unaltered female dogs at least 12 months of age.

For commercial dog brokers, the fee structure is different. The fee to register or renew a registration as a commercial dog broker is one thousand dollars ($1,000).

A commercial dog breeder shall register annually with the board. The board provides notice of the upcoming expiration of registration to each registrant at least thirty days before the expiration of the one-year period. You are responsible for renewing on time — a lapse in registration exposes you to penalty fees and potential enforcement action.

Pro Tip: Commercial dog breeders and brokers that conduct retail sales in Indiana must also register with the Indiana Department of Revenue to collect and remit sales tax. Registration with BOAH does not satisfy your tax compliance obligations.

In addition to BOAH registration, breeders who sell dogs through pet stores must be aware of a significant requirement added by 2024 legislation. The law that went into effect on July 1, 2024, requires dogs sold at pet stores to be acquired from a breeder that is Canine Care Certified from Purdue University. If you sell to retail pet stores, Canine Care Certification is now a practical necessity for that sales channel.

Facility, Care, and Housing Standards for Breeders in Indiana

Indiana does not create its own standalone facility standards from scratch. Instead, the state incorporates federal standards directly into its law. A commercial dog breeder must comply with the standards of care adopted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 9 CFR 3.1 through 9 CFR 3.12 and standards adopted by the Indiana General Assembly. These USDA regulations cover everything from housing construction to sanitation, ventilation, and exercise.

A “housing facility” is defined as any land, premises, shed, barn, building, trailer, or other structure or area that houses or is intended to house dogs. The type of housing facility you operate — indoor, sheltered, or outdoor — determines which specific construction and environmental control requirements apply to your setup.

Beyond physical structures, Indiana law imposes staffing requirements on commercial operations. A commercial dog breeder must have enough employees to carry out the level of husbandry practices and care required by law. The employees that provide animal husbandry and care or that handle animals must be supervised by someone who has knowledge, background, and experience in proper husbandry and care of dogs.

Vaccination is a non-negotiable part of your obligations as a breeder. All dogs three months of age and older must be vaccinated against rabies, and that vaccination must be completed by a licensed and accredited veterinarian. Keeping current rabies vaccination records for every dog in your facility is both a health requirement and a recordkeeping obligation that inspectors will verify.

Care Requirement	Standard	Authority
Housing facilities	Must meet USDA construction and environmental standards	9 CFR 3.1–3.12 / IC 15-21-4-1
Rabies vaccination	All dogs 3+ months old; administered by licensed vet	345 IAC 1-5-2
Staffing	Sufficient staff supervised by experienced caretaker	9 CFR 3.12 / IC 15-21
Sanitation	Regular cleaning; pest and waste control required	9 CFR 3.11
Food and water	Adequate, uncontaminated, age-appropriate	9 CFR 3.9–3.10
Exercise	Opportunity for exercise required for dogs	9 CFR 3.8

These laws represent the minimum state standards that Indiana commercial dog breeders must meet. The Indiana State Board of Animal Health encourages willing commercial dog breeders to use facility and operating standards that exceed the state minimum standards. Meeting the minimum keeps you legal; exceeding it tends to produce healthier animals and fewer compliance problems during inspections. For a broader look at how Indiana regulates animals kept on private property, the state’s backyard chicken laws offer a useful comparison of how local and state rules interact for animal-keeping operations. You can also explore dog chaining laws in Indiana for related animal welfare standards that apply statewide.

Inspections and Recordkeeping Requirements in Indiana

Once you are registered as a commercial dog breeder in Indiana, your facility becomes subject to oversight by BOAH. Registered breeders and brokers are subject to random, unannounced inspections by the Board. The Board determines how often inspections happen. Inspectors check the condition of the dogs, the cleanliness and safety of the facility, veterinary care records, staffing levels, and compliance with all state regulations.

Inspections were strengthened under the 2024 amendments to IC 15-21. The updated law also gives BOAH authority to increase inspection frequency for operations it has reason to believe are violating the law or that it considers high-risk. This means a history of violations can result in more frequent scrutiny going forward.

Recordkeeping is one of the most consistently checked areas during inspections. Commercial dog breeders must keep detailed records about every dog in their care. This includes vaccination records — all dogs 3 months and older must be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian — health records, breeding records, and sales records. Records must show where each dog came from and where it went when sold or transferred. These records must be available for review during inspections by BOAH staff.

Common Mistake: Breeders sometimes keep incomplete sales records, failing to document the destination of every dog sold or transferred. This is a direct violation inspectors look for and can trigger enforcement action even when the dogs themselves are in good condition.

If you sell dogs through a retail pet store, additional disclosure obligations apply at the point of sale. Under IC 15-21 (as amended by P.L.4-2024), the pet store must provide buyers with written information that includes the name and address of the commercial dog breeder or broker who supplied the dog, pedigree registry information if applicable, the store’s warranty and return policy, and disclosure that the dog has been microchipped. A retail pet store must also accept, for any reason, the return of a dog sold within three business days of the original sale, and the store may charge a return fee not exceeding ten percent of the purchase price.

The commercial dog breeder and broker fund, financed through registration fees, directly supports the inspection program. The fund is used for the inspection of commercial dog breeding operations by the board, the inspection of retail pet stores by the board, and the enforcement by the board of laws concerning commercial dog breeders and commercial dog brokers. The fund is administered by the board.

Federal Breeder Requirements That Apply in Indiana

Indiana’s state registration system is not the only regulatory layer that may apply to your operation. Federal law imposes its own licensing requirements that can apply independently of — and in addition to — what Indiana requires.

The USDA requires a federal license under the Animal Welfare Act for anyone who maintains more than four breeding females and sells dogs sight-unseen — meaning online, by phone, or by mail. This regulation is enforced by APHIS, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The federal threshold is far lower than Indiana’s 20-dog state threshold, so many breeders who fall below the state registration requirement may still need a federal license if they sell remotely.

Small breeders with four or fewer breeding females are exempt, as are those who sell only face-to-face directly to the public. If every sale you make involves the buyer physically seeing the dog in person before completing the purchase, the federal license requirement does not apply to you — regardless of how many dogs you maintain.

The federal licensing process involves a pre-license inspection before your initial license is granted. USDA-licensed facilities are subject to unannounced inspections by APHIS. A pre-license inspection is required before your initial license is granted. After licensing, APHIS can inspect at any time without notice. Inspectors check housing, food, water, veterinary care, sanitation, and space requirements, and they also review your record-keeping.

Since 2023, USDA animal welfare licenses use a simplified flat fee structure: all licenses are now 3-year licenses with a flat processing fee of $120. This federal fee is separate from and in addition to any fees you pay to BOAH for your Indiana state registration.

If you are the owner or person in charge of a regulated business, federal law requires you to be licensed or registered with USDA. Failure to become licensed or registered is a violation of the Animal Welfare Act. The AWA’s requirements are set out in Title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 1 through 3, and cover housing, sanitation, veterinary care, and more — the same general categories Indiana has incorporated into its own standards. For a broader look at how federal and state animal laws interact, see this overview of Animal Welfare Act requirements from the USDA National Agricultural Library. You may also find it useful to review United States laws on exotic pets to understand how federal animal regulations extend beyond dogs.

Pro Tip: Even if you are exempt from the federal license requirement today, your status can change if you begin selling dogs remotely or expand your breeding females past four. Reassess your federal obligation any time your business model or scale changes.

Penalties for Violating Dog Breeding Laws in Indiana

Indiana takes non-compliance with its commercial dog breeding laws seriously, and the penalties are structured to escalate with the severity and duration of the violation.

The most immediate financial consequence for operating without registration is a doubled fee. A person who operates as a commercial dog breeder or commercial dog broker without maintaining a valid registration must pay a registration fee equal to two times the applicable registration fee. If a person operated without being registered for more than one year, they must pay the doubled fee for each year they operated without being registered. This means years of unregistered operation can result in a substantial back-payment obligation before you are even allowed to register.

Beyond the fee penalty, there are civil liability consequences. A commercial dog breeder or commercial dog broker who fails to register with the board is liable to the state for two times the amount of registration fees that they failed to pay. The attorney general may bring an action to collect unpaid commercial dog breeder or commercial dog broker registration fees.

Providing false information during the registration process carries criminal consequences. A person who knowingly or intentionally makes a material misstatement in a commercial dog breeder registration statement commits false registration as a commercial dog breeder, a Class A misdemeanor. In Indiana, a Class A misdemeanor can carry up to one year in jail and fines up to $5,000.

BOAH also has the authority to restrict or ban a breeder from operating. The board may seek an injunction to prohibit a commercial dog breeder from registering with the board for not more than three years. The Board can also suspend or revoke registrations for breeders who do not comply with the law.

Violation Type	Penalty	Authority
Operating without registration	2x the applicable registration fee per year unregistered	345 IAC 13-1-4 / IC 15-21
Unpaid registration fees	Civil action by attorney general; 2x fees owed	IC 15-21-3-2
False registration statements	Class A misdemeanor (up to 1 year jail / $5,000 fine)	IC 15-21-3-1(e)
Ongoing non-compliance	Registration suspension or revocation	IC 15-21
Serious violations (board action)	Injunction barring registration for up to 3 years	IC 15-21-5
Retail pet store violations	Civil penalty up to $10,000; deceptive act under consumer law	IC 15-21-3-2 / IC 24-5-0.5

At the federal level, the Animal Welfare Act provides criminal penalties, civil penalties, and revocation of permits for violations. A real-world example of federal enforcement in Indiana: in a consent decree entered in January 2025 by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, an Indiana dog breeder agreed not to apply for or engage in any activity requiring a USDA license for two years, and if relicensed in the future, must comply with AWA regulations and standards necessary to provide humane and lawful care.

Indiana’s leash and ownership laws carry their own enforcement considerations that interact with how you manage dogs on and off your property. If you need a broader picture of how Indiana regulates dog ownership and movement, see the state’s leash laws in Indiana and compare approaches taken in neighboring states like Michigan, Kentucky, and Tennessee. For questions about other animals you may keep alongside your dogs, Indiana’s hedgehog ownership laws and rules about neighbors’ cats on your property provide additional regulatory context.

If you are operating or planning to operate a commercial dog breeding facility in Indiana, the safest approach is to register with BOAH before you exceed the 20-dog threshold, maintain thorough records from day one, and confirm whether your sales practices also trigger federal USDA licensing obligations. The laws are specific, the penalties are real, and the 2024 amendments have strengthened enforcement tools available to the state. Staying ahead of your compliance obligations is far less costly than addressing violations after the fact.