Exposing Ohio’s State-Licensed Commercial Dog Breeding Industry
Ohio is a leading state in licensed commercial dog breeding. The 2019 through 2023, state data shows consistently high numbers of licensed commercial dog breeding operations, with highest concentrations year after year in Holmes County followed by Coshocton, Tuscarawas, Wayne, Knox, and Richland. Together, they form a regional cluster of high-volume dog breeding operations in rural Ohio.
Commercial dog breeding provides a reliable source of supplemental or primary income. These facilities are a key part of the broader puppy mill pipeline that supply puppies to pet stores and online puppy sellers nationwide. The Ohio data is similar to the Indiana Pennsylvania and Illinois data.
Why Holmes County Leads in Commercial Dog Breeding
Several factors contribute to Holmes County’s status as Ohio’s breeding capital:
Rural Environment: With a strong agricultural tradition, the county provides ideal conditions for large-scale dog breeding operations that are often out of public view.
Cultural Influence: Holmes County is home to a large Amish population, many of whom operate high volume dog breeding kennels often within the family as part of their livelihood.
- Over the years, Holmes County has built a network of puppy brokers, puppy transporters, and high volume puppy buyers, such as online puppy broker websites.
- Once one family starts breeding, others often follow, making it a regional industry with embedded systems for registration, shipping, and selling puppies nationwide.
- Economic Factors: Dog breeding has become a significant source of income. The ongoing demand for purebred and so-called “designer” dogs drives this industry forward.
Welfare Concerns
Although these operations are licensed, state inspection reports have documented troubling issues at facilities across Ohio, including:
Lack of adequate veterinary care
Limited socialization and exercise for dogs
Unsanitary or living conditions
These welfare conditions reflect a business model that treats dogs as products rather than living, feeling companions. While not every kennel is the same, the systemic issues tied to mass production of puppies are well-documented by regulators, inspectors, and animal welfare experts.