EU to Ban Inbreeding and Tail Docking: Is Cyprus Ready for the 2028 Rules?

New EU-wide regulations on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats are set to take effect. The document bans inbreeding, crossbreeding with wild species, and painful cosmetic procedures such as ear cropping, tail docking, and declawing. For Cyprus, the key question is whether the country can fully implement all requirements by 2028.

A preliminary political agreement was reached on November 25, 2025. The regulation applies to professional breeders and sellers, introducing limits on age and breeding frequency. Inbreeding is prohibited except for rare local breeds with a narrow gene pool.

Operations performed for cosmetic or non-medical reasons are strictly forbidden. Dogs older than eight weeks must have daily outdoor access. Furthermore, animals with extreme physical traits (e.g., brachycephalic breeds with severe health risks) will be barred from breeding and exhibitions.

MP Charalampos Theopemptou noted that Cyprus faces significant work ahead. Currently, mandatory microchipping and registration only apply to dogs. Under the new rules, cats will also require mandatory registration in a database compatible with other EU systems.