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Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs An Roinn Talmhaíochta, Comhshaoil agus Gnóthaí Tuaithe Depairtment o' Fairmin, Environment an' Kintra Matthers

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  • Responsible Dog Ownership – A Guide

    Date published: 5 August 2025

    Last updated: 27 August 2025

    Owning a dog is a big responsibility and it’s important, before getting a dog, to think carefully about all aspects of dog ownership. You need to know what it takes to ensure your dog’s needs will be met and fully understand your legal responsibilities as a dog owner.

    The Responsible Dog Ownership guide, compiled by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs provides information on areas such as:

    • Is a dog right for me?
    • Responsible sourcing
    • Legal responsibilities
    • Dog control
    • Basic care

    Documents

    • DAERA Responsible Dog Ownership LeafletAdobe PDF (735.12 KB)

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