Only half of Finland’s dogs registered as new fines loom

Just under 50 percent of Finland’s estimated 800,000 dogs are listed in the national canine registry, leaving hundreds of thousands of owners facing potential fines of up to €300, Yle reports.

The Finnish Food Authority’s dog registry, introduced to combat puppy mills and illegal imports, has failed to meet expectations, according to breeders. Molli Nyman, chair of the Finnish Kennel Breeders’ Association, argued the system has instead legitimized profit-driven breeding rather than curbing it.

“It justifies breeding for financial gain instead of preventing it,” Nyman said.

Parliament approved stricter enforcement this week, with non-compliance now punishable by fines. The Food Authority’s Iina Valkeisenmäki acknowledged slow uptake, citing lack of awareness and resistance to change. While initial efforts focused on outreach, authorities will now escalate to warnings and, as a last resort, penalties.

A key criticism is the registry’s failure to track dam information, making it difficult to monitor excessive breeding—a hallmark of puppy mills. Nyman noted that without maternal data, frequent litters go unchecked. Valkeisenmäki confirmed the registry currently excludes parentage details but left open the possibility of future expansion, pending legislative changes.

The system also does little to prevent illegal imports. Unlike Sweden, where pre-arrival registration allows border inspections, Finland grants a 30-day post-entry window—leaving room for unchecked imports, Nyman said.

She added that the registry’s broad inclusion of mixed-breed dogs has muddied perceptions of “registered” status, traditionally tied to purebreds via the Finnish Kennel Club. “Registration adds value to a dog and gives puppy mills a veneer of legitimacy,” Nyman said, warning buyers may mistakenly assume they’re purchasing a Kennel Club-registered purebred.

Valkeisenmäki countered that the Food Authority’s registry ensures compliance with legal tracing requirements, emphasizing buyers’ responsibility to verify backgrounds. “The only mandatory registry is ours,” she said.