Specific Business Licensing Information: Guard Dog Trainers, Guard Dog Purveyors, and Guard Dogs

If you are engaged in training dogs as guard dogs, you are required to license with King County as a Guard Dog Trainer. The license fee is $50.00 each year. Licenses expire one year from the date of application. Licenses are not transferable and are valid only for the person for which issued. The applicant must also provide a legal description or business address of the premises at which the applicant desires to train the guard dogs and a written statement of acknowledgment from the property owner that the applicant has the owner's permission to carry on the activity of guard dog training at said location for the duration of the license.

Any person or firm engaged in supplying guard dogs to members of the public is required to have a Guard Dog Purveyor's License. The license fee is $250.00 per year and expires one year from date of application. The applicant must provide a legal description or address from which the applicant desires to supply guard dogs and a statement of whether the applicant owns or rents the premises to be used for the purpose of purveying guard dogs. If the applicant rents the premises, the application shall be accompanied by a written statement of acknowledgment by the property owner that the applicant has the property owner's permission to purvey guard dogs on the premises for the duration of the license. Additionally, a written acknowledgment by the applicant that prior to the actual commercial sale or purveyance of any and all guard dogs, the licensee shall coordinate with the Animal Control Authority in properly marking the guard dog and in notifying all customers of the guard dog purveyor that the customer is required to register the guard dog and pay the appropriate registration fee prior to the animal performing guard dog functions.

If you desire to use a guard dog, you must register the guard dog with King County Animal Control. The registration fee is $100.00 per year. The license expires one year from date of application. The applicant is required to provide a legal description or business address of the premises which the applicant desires to employ a registered guard dog to prevent unauthorized intrusion, a statement whether the applicant owns or rents the premises to be guarded. If the applicant rents the premises, the application must be accompanied by a written statement of acknowledgment from the property owner that the applicant has the owner's permission to use a guard dog on the premises to prevent unauthorized intrusion for the duration of the registration, a description of the guard dog for purposes of identification, acknowledgment by the applicant that the premises to be guarded has devices, such as fencing, to prevent general access by the public during those times the guard dog is used for purposes of protecting said premises and persons for unauthorized intrusion. This acknowledgment must also contain a statement that the premises is properly signed to forewarn the public of the presence of a guard dog, and finally, acknowledgment by the applicant that the guard dog will be maintained in such a manner as to ensure the safety of the public and the welfare of the animal.

For additional information regarding a King County guard dog trainers license, King County guard dog purveyors license or guard dog registration, please call (206) 296-2710.