Search USDA-Licensed Dog Breeders and Dealers

Verify any USDA Class A breeder or Class B dealer against our mirror of the USDA APHIS public database. Search 2,837 active licensees by name, DBA, certificate number, or city. Every result links to a full profile with USDA inspection history since 2014.

What This Tool Does

This lookup mirrors the USDA APHIS Animal Care Public Search Tool (opens in new tab) , refreshed monthly. Use it to confirm a dog breeder holds an active federal license under the Animal Welfare Act before buying a puppy, selling to a dealer, or inspecting the facility's compliance record.

Two USDA license classes appear in results:

  • Class A — Breeder: Breeds and raises dogs on their own premises for sale. Required for breeders with more than 4 breeding females who sell dogs sight-unseen (online, by phone, or by mail).
  • Class B — Dealer: Buys and resells dogs — typically brokers who purchase from breeders and sell to pet stores, research facilities, or directly to consumers.

Certificate format: USDA certificate numbers follow the pattern XX-Y-NNNN — two-digit state code, license class letter (A, B, C, or R), and a sequence number (e.g., 43-A-6252).

Not finding the breeder? They may be exempt from federal licensing (four or fewer breeding females, or face-to-face sales only), licensed only at the state level, or operating without a required license. Check the state-level breeder licensing rules that also apply.

About these licenses: USDA Class A (breeder) and Class B (dealer) licenses are issued under the federal Animal Welfare Act and cover many kinds of animals — not just dogs (for example cats, rabbits, and other regulated species). A licensee shown here holds a USDA license but may breed or deal in animals other than dogs, so inclusion in this database does not necessarily mean the licensee breeds dogs. Always verify a breeder's species, status, and details directly with the licensee and with USDA APHIS (opens in new tab) .

2,214 Class A Breeders
623 Class B Dealers
2026-08-17 Data as of

6,398 results found (Class A)

Including 4,216 inactive results (expired or formerly licensed). Active only

USDA licensee search results
Certificate # Type Name DBA City State Expires Inspections
31-A-0978 Class A Joseph E Yoder — Millersburg OH — Formerly Licensed
23-A-0650 Class A JOSEPH FISHER — KIRKWOOD PA — Formerly Licensed
43-A-6395 Class A Joseph Gardner — LAMAR MO — Formerly Licensed
42-A-1547 Class A Joseph Gingerich — DRAKESVILLE IA — Formerly Licensed
32-A-0793 Class A JOSEPH GRABER — GRABILL IN — Formerly Licensed
48-A-2254 Class A Joseph H and Bernita M Berntsen Living Trust — La Harpe KS 11/29/2028 Active
43-A-5977 Class A Joseph Hershberger — SPICKARD MO — Formerly Licensed
31-A-0528 Class A JOSEPH HERSHBERGER — BALTIC OH — Formerly Licensed
35-A-0410 Class A Joseph Hochstetler Sideline Kennel Soldiers Grove WI 12/20/2027 Active
43-A-6216 Class A JOSEPH HOSTETLER — JAMESPORT MO — Formerly Licensed
43-A-6378 Class A JOSEPH HOSTETLER — JAMESPORT MO — Formerly Licensed
43-A-6744 Class A JOSEPH HOSTETLER — JAMESPORT MO — Formerly Licensed
35-A-0347 Class A JOSEPH KING — PLATTEVILLE WI — Formerly Licensed
32-A-1066 Class A Joseph Knepp Krista Knepp — Odon IN 10/3/2026 Active
32-A-1154 Class A Joseph Lengacher — New Haven IN 9/16/2028 Active
31-A-0848 Class A Joseph M Nisley — APPLE CREEK OH — Formerly Licensed
31-A-0692 Class A Joseph Miller Hidden Hollow Kennel Apple Creek OH 1/31/2029 Active
31-A-0655 Class A Joseph Miller — Millersburg OH — Formerly Licensed
47-A-0620 Class A Joseph Polt Cee Cee Polt Brass Ring Kennel Hershey NE 3/11/2028 Active
47-A-0592 Class A Joseph Polt Cee Cee Polt — BRADY NE — Formerly Licensed
31-A-0736 Class A Joseph R Miller — Fredericksburg OH 12/7/2028 Active
31-A-0724 Class A JOSEPH RABER — BALTIC OH — Formerly Licensed
43-A-6724 Class A Joseph RL Schwartz Coachwhip Kennels Fordland MO 9/6/2028 Active
32-A-1108 Class A Joseph Schmucker — New Haven IN 7/25/2027 Active
21-A-0231 Class A Joseph Schmucker — Clyde NY — Formerly Licensed
31-A-0978 Class A — Breeder
Joseph E Yoder
Millersburg, OH Exp: — Formerly Licensed
1 inspection clean
2023-04-21 — PRE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
23-A-0650 Class A — Breeder
JOSEPH FISHER
KIRKWOOD, PA Exp: — Formerly Licensed
13 inspections clean
2022-08-22 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2022-05-23 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
2 non-critical PDF
2022-02-23 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
3 non-critical PDF
2021-10-20 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
3 non-critical PDF
2021-07-19 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
2 non-critical PDF
2021-04-23 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
2 non-critical PDF
2020-10-06 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2020-01-27 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2019-09-30 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2019-01-29 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF

Showing most recent 10 of 13.

43-A-6395 Class A — Breeder
Joseph Gardner
LAMAR, MO Exp: — Formerly Licensed
8 inspections clean
2025-03-24 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2024-07-03 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2023-03-06 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2023-01-27 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2021-09-02 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2020-02-06 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
3 non-critical PDF
2019-09-26 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2019-02-13 — PRELICENSE INSPECTION #2
no violations PDF
42-A-1547 Class A — Breeder
Joseph Gingerich
DRAKESVILLE, IA Exp: — Formerly Licensed
4 inspections clean
2017-09-18 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2017-08-14 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2017-01-30 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
2 non-critical PDF
2016-08-23 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
32-A-0793 Class A — Breeder
JOSEPH GRABER
GRABILL, IN Exp: — Formerly Licensed
3 inspections clean
2021-07-26 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2020-01-02 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2019-09-10 — PRELICENSE INSPECTION #1
no violations PDF
48-A-2254 Class A — Breeder
Joseph H and Bernita M Berntsen Living Trust
La Harpe, KS Exp: 11/29/2028 Active
6 inspections clean
2025-09-02 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2025-03-18 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2024-02-06 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2023-08-09 — FOCUSED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2023-03-20 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2022-11-28 — PRE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
43-A-5977 Class A — Breeder
Joseph Hershberger
SPICKARD, MO Exp: — Formerly Licensed
7 inspections clean
2020-01-27 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2019-04-29 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2018-02-06 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2017-01-25 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2016-03-08 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2016-01-14 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2015-07-09 — PRELICENSE INSPECTION #2
no violations PDF
31-A-0528 Class A — Breeder
JOSEPH HERSHBERGER
BALTIC, OH Exp: — Formerly Licensed
4 inspections clean
2018-04-05 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2017-01-24 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2015-11-16 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2014-12-30 — PRELICENSE INSPECTION #2
no violations PDF
35-A-0410 Class A — Breeder
Joseph Hochstetler
DBA: Sideline Kennel
Soldiers Grove, WI Exp: 12/20/2027 Active
13 inspections 1 critical
2025-04-03 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2024-12-16 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2024-03-25 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2023-03-21 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2022-06-15 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2022-03-14 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2021-12-20 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2021-12-13 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
1 critical 4 non-critical PDF
2020-03-02 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2019-04-08 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF

Showing most recent 10 of 13.

43-A-6216 Class A — Breeder
JOSEPH HOSTETLER
JAMESPORT, MO Exp: — Formerly Licensed
2 inspections clean
2018-01-08 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2017-06-21 — PRELICENSE INSPECTION #1
no violations PDF
43-A-6378 Class A — Breeder
JOSEPH HOSTETLER
JAMESPORT, MO Exp: — Formerly Licensed
3 inspections clean
2021-04-06 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2019-06-10 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2018-11-21 — PRELICENSE INSPECTION #1
no violations PDF
43-A-6744 Class A — Breeder
JOSEPH HOSTETLER
JAMESPORT, MO Exp: — Formerly Licensed
3 inspections clean
2023-05-11 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2023-05-11 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2022-10-19 — PRE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
35-A-0347 Class A — Breeder
JOSEPH KING
PLATTEVILLE, WI Exp: — Formerly Licensed
5 inspections 1 direct
2014-06-30 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2014-06-25 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 direct 6 non-critical PDF
2014-06-10 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2014-04-07 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
4 non-critical PDF
2014-02-27 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
32-A-1066 Class A — Breeder
Joseph Knepp Krista Knepp
Odon, IN Exp: 10/3/2026 Active
5 inspections clean
2026-07-06 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2025-12-22 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2024-11-15 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2024-02-14 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2023-10-03 — PRE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
32-A-1154 Class A — Breeder
Joseph Lengacher
New Haven, IN Exp: 9/16/2028 Active
2 inspections clean
2026-04-08 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
3 non-critical PDF
2025-08-29 — PRE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
31-A-0848 Class A — Breeder
Joseph M Nisley
APPLE CREEK, OH Exp: — Formerly Licensed
2 inspections clean
2025-12-02 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2023-12-08 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
31-A-0692 Class A — Breeder
Joseph Miller
DBA: Hidden Hollow Kennel
Apple Creek, OH Exp: 1/31/2029 Active
12 inspections clean
2026-02-11 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2025-09-30 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2025-09-16 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2023-01-24 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2023-01-18 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2023-01-18 — UNKNOWN
1 non-critical PDF
2021-12-15 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2020-09-14 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2019-04-05 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2018-12-17 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF

Showing most recent 10 of 12.

31-A-0655 Class A — Breeder
Joseph Miller
Millersburg, OH Exp: — Formerly Licensed
6 inspections clean
2024-03-26 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2021-10-12 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2019-08-13 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2018-09-12 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2017-07-20 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2017-04-18 — PRELICENSE INSPECTION #2
no violations PDF
47-A-0620 Class A — Breeder
Joseph Polt Cee Cee Polt
DBA: Brass Ring Kennel
Hershey, NE Exp: 3/11/2028 Active
11 inspections clean
2026-04-16 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2025-02-26 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2024-09-24 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2023-08-22 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2022-03-08 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2021-10-06 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2019-12-17 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2018-11-05 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2017-07-27 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2017-05-25 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF

Showing most recent 10 of 11.

47-A-0592 Class A — Breeder
Joseph Polt Cee Cee Polt
BRADY, NE Exp: — Formerly Licensed
5 inspections clean
2016-11-22 — PRELICENSE INSPECTION #1
no violations PDF
2016-06-07 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2016-03-08 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2015-03-30 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2014-06-09 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
31-A-0736 Class A — Breeder
Joseph R Miller
Fredericksburg, OH Exp: 12/7/2028 Active
6 inspections clean
2026-04-29 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2025-12-04 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2022-12-15 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2021-08-13 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2019-05-23 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2018-11-20 — PRELICENSE INSPECTION #1
no violations PDF
31-A-0724 Class A — Breeder
JOSEPH RABER
BALTIC, OH Exp: — Formerly Licensed
3 inspections clean
2019-05-22 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2019-04-04 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2018-08-23 — PRELICENSE INSPECTION #1
no violations PDF
43-A-6724 Class A — Breeder
Joseph RL Schwartz
DBA: Coachwhip Kennels
Fordland, MO Exp: 9/6/2028 Active
6 inspections clean
2026-01-22 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2025-08-05 — RE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2025-01-08 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2024-02-13 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2023-01-09 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2022-08-16 — PRE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
32-A-1108 Class A — Breeder
Joseph Schmucker
New Haven, IN Exp: 7/25/2027 Active
3 inspections clean
2026-03-11 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2024-12-12 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2024-07-24 — PRE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
21-A-0231 Class A — Breeder
Joseph Schmucker
Clyde, NY Exp: — Formerly Licensed
5 inspections clean
2024-11-21 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2024-11-07 — ATTEMPTED INSPECTION
1 non-critical PDF
2024-04-30 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
no violations PDF
2023-10-03 — ROUTINE INSPECTION
3 non-critical PDF
2023-03-10 — PRE-LICENSE INSPECTION
no violations PDF

Data sources: Licensee data comes from the USDA APHIS Animal Care Public Search Tool (opens in new tab) . Inspection reports are sourced from the Data Liberation Project (opens in new tab) (CC BY-SA 4.0), which compiles USDA APHIS inspection data from 2014 to present. Both are updated monthly. For the most current information, verify directly with USDA APHIS. This is not an official USDA tool.