APPENDICES
WEIGHT OF DOG (kg) MINIMUM ENCLOSURE SIZE
(m2)
MINIMUM FLOOR AREA/
ANIMAL (m2)
MINIMUM HEIGHT (m)
Up to 5 4 0.5 2
Over 5 to 10 4 1.0 2
Over 10 to 15 4 1.5 2
Over 15 to 20 4 2 2
Over 20 8 4 2
��� APPENDICES
Appendix I: Dealing with pregnant bitches and puppies
Kennel sizes for bitches with litters and
post-weaned puppies
l Bitches with litters should be provided with double the
space allowance described in section 1.3.
l For post-weaned puppies, the following minimum enclosure
dimensions and space allowances should apply (taken
from Council of Europe [2006]6).
Transporting pregnant bitches and puppies
l Pregnant bitches must not be transported within 10 days
of their expected whelping date or within 48 hours of
giving birth, unless agreed by a veterinary surgeon, or in
an emergency.
l Puppies should never be transported before eight weeks of
age without their dam unless a veterinary surgeon agrees
otherwise for health and/or welfare reasons, or in an emergency.
l Between eight and 12 weeks of age, prior to return or
rehoming, puppies should not be transported for more than
two hours (because dogs should not be transported within
two hours of feeding and puppies this age should be fed
every four hours).
l Where possible, puppies should be trained to stay calmly in
a crate by using reward-based training prior to transportation.
Feeding pregnant and lactating bitches
and puppies
l The food requirements of pregnant and lactating bitches
will increase and provisions should be increased accordingly -
as specified in the manufacturer's recommendations or as
devised with a veterinary surgeon as part of a health plan.
l Puppies should be weaned gradually at six to eight weeks of
age onto an appropriate diet to support normal growth.
l Veterinary advice should be sought for further guidance on
providing for the dietary needs of pregnant and lactating
bitches and puppies.
Exercising nursing bitches and puppies
l Short periods of exercise should be provided to bitches from
three days post-whelping and increased gradually thereafter.
l Puppies should be provided with an environment in which
they can explore, exercise and play, and should be given
access to a play area away from the maternal kennel by at
least the age of six weeks.
Caring for pregnant and whelping bitches
and litters
Care of bitch
l Bitches should be individually housed in a designated
area from three days prior to whelping, but should have
daily contact with humans.
l The bitch must be provided with a suitable whelping box/
bed and an area within the whelping kennel where she can
rest away from her pups. Heating facilities must be adequate,
safe and secure.
Whelping
l Veterinary advice should be sought before the bitch
gives birth.
Care of litter
l Puppies should not be housed away from the bitch, returned
or rehomed until at least eight weeks of age, unless this is
under veterinary advice.
l For the week prior to returning or rehoming, each puppy
should be removed separately from their siblings and
mother each day for periods of initially a few minutes
and then of increasing length.
22 MEETING THE WELFARE NEEDS OF SEIZED DOGS IN A KENNEL ENVIRONMENT