Alongside the register of entries and exits, France's order of 19 June 2025 requires kennels to keep a health register (article 9), to record each female's reproduction in it (article 26) and to carry out regular self-checks (article 11). This guide goes through each one.
The health register
The health register keeps track of the kennel animals' health. It includes in particular:
- care and treatments: dewormers, vaccinations, prescribed treatments, with their date and the product used;
- prescriptions and veterinary certificates;
- procedures carried out on the animals;
- the sanitary vet's visit reports, signed, kept with the register.
Litters' care belongs there just like adults': every dewormer and every injection given to the puppies is recorded, which then serves for the documents handed to the buyers.
Each female's reproduction
Since 2025, the health register also follows each breeding female's career: heats, matings, inseminations, whelpings, caesareans, abortions, retirement. This information makes it possible to check the rules of article 26:
- no more than three whelpings over two years for one female;
- past 8 years for a bitch, breeding only with the vet's agreement;
- a retired breeding female is sterilised, unless the vet advises otherwise;
- no breeding between parents and offspring, nor between brothers and sisters.
The self-check plan
Article 11 asks the kennel to check itself regularly and keep a record of it. Three points are named explicitly:
- the whelping area's temperature, around whelpings and during the puppies' first weeks;
- an examination of each animal on arrival at the kennel;
- a monthly visual check of all the animals.
On top of these come the checks your risk analysis finds useful: cleaning and disinfecting the premises, pest control, equipment (heating, ventilation, fences), water and food. How often is up to you, ideally set with your sanitary vet.
What to record at each check
For each self-check: the date, what was checked, the result and, if something was wrong, the corrective action taken. A temperature reading outside the expected range must lead to an action (heating, insulation…) recorded next to it.
| Check | Usual frequency | To record |
|---|---|---|
| Whelping area temperature | Daily during the period concerned | The reading in °C |
| Arrival exam | At each arrival | The animal's condition |
| Visual check of the animals | Monthly | All fine, or the anomaly and action taken |
| Cleaning and disinfection | Per your plan | The premises and equipment treated |
The health register takes in your litters' care, the self-check plan tells you what to do and when, and everything exports as a PDF.
In short
- The health register (article 9) gathers care, prescriptions, procedures and sanitary vet visits.
- It also follows each female's reproduction (article 26), which lets you check the legal limits.
- The self-check plan (article 11) covers at least the whelping area temperature, the arrival exam and the monthly visual check, with their results and corrective actions.
This guide informs; it isn't legal or veterinary advice. Texts change: check with the authorities or your vet.