WA - Entire Male Dog Rules
Western Australia — Entire Male (Stud) Dog: Legal & Registration Guide
BreedBuddies Knowledge Base — Australia
Last verified: 16 July 2026
Quick Answer: Do You Need a Breeding Licence?
No. There's no stud-specific licence in WA — just register him as normal with your local council. An "approval to breed" scheme (introduced by the Dog Amendment (Stop Puppy Farming) Act 2021) passed Parliament in 2021 but has not commenced. So, no breeding approval is currently required to keep or use him at stud.
Quick Summary
Question | Answer |
|---|---|
Desexing mandatory? | Passed into law, not yet in force. Will eventually apply by 2 years of age, not 6 months. |
Can you keep an entire male? | Yes — no licence needed currently. |
Licensing | No stud-specific licence yet — an "approval to breed" scheme has passed Parliament but has not commenced. |
What the Law Says
- Governed by the Dog Act 1976, as amended by the Dog Amendment (Stop Puppy Farming) Act 2021.
- Pet shop and dog-supply approval provisions commenced 26 May 2025 — but these apply to pet shops and dog suppliers, not individual stud dog owners.
- The bigger changes — mandatory desexing by 2 years old and an "approval to breed" requirement for anyone keeping a dog entire past that age — have passed Parliament but are still not in force.
- The centralised PetsWA registration system meant to support these changes had its development contract ended in 2025, so a firm commencement date isn't yet available.
- Until it commences, no special approval is needed to keep a dog entire or use him at stud.
Can You Keep an Entire Male?
Yes — register and microchip him as normal with your local council. There's no current requirement for a breeding licence or approval simply to keep him entire or offer stud services.
Registering With Council
- Microchip and register with your local council as normal.
- No stud-specific licence or breeding approval currently required.
- Keep an eye on the "approval to breed" scheme — once it commences, requirements may change.
Breeder / Identifier Requirements
Microchip number is required in any advertisement. No breeder identifier scheme is currently in force beyond this — check current guidance from the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) — formerly the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) — for updates as the Stop Puppy Farming reforms progress.
Official Sources
Source | Authority | Link |
|---|---|---|
Dog Act 1976 (as amended by the Dog Amendment (Stop Puppy Farming) Act 2021) | WA Legislation | |
Stop Puppy Farming reforms | Dept of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS) |
Disclaimer: General information only, not legal advice. Rules change — always confirm with your local council before registering or advertising a dog.
Questions about what applies to you and your dog? Reach out any time — we're here to help.
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Updated on: 16/07/2026
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