Maryland Dog Breeder Licensing Requirements

In Maryland, dog breeder oversight is mostly handled by local governments rather than a single state agency. Non-government reference sources report that anyone who keeps six or more unspayed female dogs over six months old for the purpose of breeding, or who sells dogs from six or more litters in a year, must get a kennel license from their local licensing authority. These sources cite Maryland Local Government Code Section 13-108, but the exact numeric threshold has not been confirmed here by an official government source, so it should be treated cautiously. Note that one industry news source reported a threshold of more than 15 unspayed female dogs over the age of six months, which conflicts with the six-dog figure, so breeders should confirm the current rule with their county. Separately, large-scale commercial breeders who sell dogs to pet stores, resell them, or ship them sight-unseen (such as over the internet) are required to be licensed and inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Animal Welfare Act.

Because kennel licensing is local in Maryland, breeders should contact their own county or municipal animal control or licensing office to apply. Requirements, forms, and processes vary from one jurisdiction to another. Breeders who also meet the federal definition of a dealer can apply for a USDA Animal Welfare License through APHIS at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/awa/apply. The available search results do not provide a single statewide application form, phone number, or list of required documents for a Maryland state breeder license, because no such statewide license appears to exist.

License fees for kennels are set at the county or municipal level, so the cost varies by location. The available official sources do not specify a single statewide kennel or breeder license fee or renewal fee for Maryland. Breeders who need a federal USDA license will pay fees set under the Animal Welfare Act licensing rules. Contact your local licensing authority for the exact amount that applies where you live.

Large-scale commercial breeders regulated by the USDA are subject to federal inspections under the Animal Welfare Act, which cover humane care, treatment, housing, exercise, and socialization of dogs. In 2026 the USDA finalized updated standards for the care of breeding female dogs and for exercise and socialization of dogs. At the local level, inspection requirements depend on the county or municipality, and the available sources do not detail a uniform statewide inspection schedule for kennels. Breeders should ask their local licensing authority what inspections apply and how often they occur.

Breeders licensed by the USDA under the Animal Welfare Act must keep records as required by federal regulations, including records of the acquisition, disposition, and care of animals. The available search results do not spell out specific statewide record-keeping rules for Maryland breeders beyond the local licensing context. Breeders should keep proof of licensing, rabies vaccination, and veterinary care, since Maryland ties dog licensing to rabies vaccination status. Check with your county for any additional local record-keeping requirements.

Breeding or operating a kennel without a required license can lead to civil or criminal penalties, and enforcement in Maryland often comes through local animal control and investigations into alleged neglect. The available search results do not list specific statewide fine amounts for breeding without a license. Federally, violations of the Animal Welfare Act can result in enforcement action by the USDA, including fines and loss of a license. Breeders should confirm the exact penalties in their county, since local ordinances set many of the rules.