WHY IT’S SO HARD TO FIND ETHICAL DOG BREEDERS IN THE UAE

If you’re searching for an ethical dog breeder in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE, you’ve probably already realized: it’s not easy. Despite growing demand for responsibly bred puppies, ethical breeders in the UAE are nearly non-existent. I dare say "almost" because a few may be trying to uphold good practices, but these are very rare exceptions.

So why is it so challenging to find ethically purebred puppies from genuine and well-informed breeders in the UAE? And what are your options if you’re looking for a psychologically balances, happy, healthy and ethically raised puppy?

Let’s discuss.

UAE HAS NO OFFICIAL NATIONAL KENNEL CLUB TO UPHOLD REGULATIONS

One of the biggest barriers is the lack of an officially recognized kennel club in the UAE. Unlike countries such as Italy (with ENCI), the UK (with The Kennel Club), or the US (with AKC), the UAE does not have a regulatory body to oversee dog breeding. This means there are no standardised requirements for:

- Genetic health screening

- Ethical breeding practices

- Breed preservation

- Proper documentation or pedigree tracing

Without such regulations and infrastructure, anyone can breed dogs without accountability, leading to a surge in unethical breeding and irresponsible backyard breeders.

CHALLENGING CLIMATE CONDITIONS MAKE DOG BREEDING MORE DIFFICULT

Ethical breeders provide dogs with safe, spacious, clean and comfortable environments tailored to their needs, with essential outdoor exercise routine for parent dogs and for the puppies. However, the extreme heat and humidity in the UAE make outdoor activities particularly challenging for at least the hottest half of the year, especially for breeds with thick coats or high energy levels (the cooler half of the year is more manageable, but is not always enjoyable, and yet it is not possible to plan to breed dogs only in winter months, if following dog’s natural cycles).

Even indoors, maintaining suitable air-conditioned environments for parent dogs and puppies, along with regular exercise and stimulation, becomes a serious logistical and financial challenge.

CULTURAL AND SOCIAL LIMITATIONS

While pet ownership is growing in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, dogs are still viewed with cultural caution in some circles. Combined with legal restrictions on certain breeds and a general lack of animal welfare education, this creates an environment where dog breeding is often profit-driven rather than welfare-oriented.

There’s also limited public pressure or demand for transparency and ethics in dog breeding, which is essential for change.

TRANSIENT EXPAT POPULATION

UAE’s population is largely made up of expatriates on temporary contracts or frequent travellers.  As we all know, there is that lingering notion of a time set aside for life in UAE, after which expats move on to another country or return back to their home country.  This means fewer long-term commitments to responsible pet breeding, and, unfortunately, more cases of abandoned pets.

Ethical breeding requires:

• Deep knowledge of bloodlines
• Multi-year planning
• Ongoing health monitoring
• A stable, long-term home environment

These conditions are hard to meet in UAE’s transient society. And so most expatriate set their dog breeding ambitions until they are back home in their stable and familiar environments.

WIDESPREAD SALE OF IMPORTED PUPPIES FROM UNKNOWN SOURCES

Pet shops across the UAE often sell imported puppies, but many of these come from puppy mills or large-scale commercial breeders in Eastern and Central Europe and now days even Asia.

These puppies are:

:(   Often separated too early from mothers

:(   Poorly socialized

:(   Lacking in health screening

:(   Not always vaccinated, or vaccinated at incorrect ages

:(   Hold fake/inconsistent documents

:(   Shipped under stressful and unsafe conditions

Many buyers unknowingly support unethical breeding practices, often facing heartbreak when their puppies develop long-term health or behavioural issues. Tragically, some even lose their puppies to preventable viruses due to lack of proper vaccinations or vaccinations done too early.

But when faced with an adorable puppy staring through a pet store window with those irresistible, pleading eyes, few people stop to consider if the puppy is old enough to be in UAE legally, if the puppy is timely vaccinated, or ethically bred. Impulse purchases like these not only put the puppy’s wellbeing at risk but also undermine the efforts of responsible breeders.

SO, WHAT’S THE ETHICAL ALTERNATIVE?

I always encourage checking local shelters first: there are so many wonderful dogs waiting for a second chance. If you’re open-minded and open-hearted enough to welcome a common-looking mutt into your life, do that first. But if that path doesn’t work out, we are here for you.

The best and safest option for families or individuals looking for a healthy, well-bred and pure-bred puppy in the UAE is to import from internationally certified, recognised breeders, registered with reputable kennel clubs (like ENCI in Italy).

At Pets Caboodle we specialize in helping UAE-based dog lovers connect with ENCI-registered breeders who meet strict ethical standards, including:

• Health-tested parents
• Ethical breeding frequency
• Proper socialization from birth
• Verified pedigrees

We handle the process from sourcing to safe, stress-free delivery, ensuring you get a happy, healthy, and ethically raised puppy in your own hands without any other people in between.

FINAL THOUGHTS 

Finding ethical breeders in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or elsewhere in the UAE is extremely difficult due to lack of regulation, unsuitable climate, and a largely unregulated pet industry. But that doesn’t mean you have to compromise.

By working with reputable, ENCI-certified breeders and ensuring transparent, welfare-first practices, you can bring home a puppy that’s not only adorable, but also ethically and responsibly raised.

Ready to find your future companion? Get in touch with us today to start your journey with a truly ethical breeder.

- Written by Natalia Dolidze, founder and former owner of Pets Habitat LLC, now assisting UAE residents in ethically sourcing their ideal canine companion from responsible breeders in Italy.