Whatever type of dog you have, you are required to get a dog licence for that dog in either of these cases
- once the dog leaves the care of its mother
- once it’s over the age of 4 months.
Cost of a dog licence
You can pick up a dog licence at your local post office or local authority. There are three types of dog licences
- Individual dog licence – covers one dog for of 12 months – €20
- General dog licence – for owners of kennels for 12 months – €400
- Lifetime of the dog licence – for the lifetime of the dog for which the licence is issued – €140
More can be seen here https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/environment/animal_welfare_and_control/control_of_dogs.html
Exceptions to dog licences exist
- Guide dogs for the blind do not require a dog licence
- Dogs which are in the country for less than 30 days do not require licensing.
If you are picking up a dog from a charity or shelter they generally ask you to get a licence in advance. It’s also important to note that dog licences can only be held by people over the age of 16.
All dogs need to have a collar that identifies the owner and the owners address. Failure to comply can result in an on-the-spot fine from a dog warden.
Also remember that microchipping of dogs is mandatory for all dogs born after September 2015 and for older dogs after March 31st 2016.
