Checking a specific breeder?
Search BOB’s directory for a breeder’s license and USDA inspection history.
Missouri at a glance
Statewide totals from BOB’s research. We don’t name individual breeders on this page.
- 944
- licensed dog breeders. 658 hold a federal USDA license and 286 are licensed only by the state of Missouri.
- 2,028
- breeders selling puppies online with no license on record. That’s more than all of Missouri’s licensed breeders combined, and it only counts three websites.
- 487
- breeders have had a USDA license cancelled since 2020. 51 of them still hold a Missouri state license, which means they’re no longer inspected by USDA.
- 577
- Missouri breeders sold puppies to pet stores in 2025, as documented by BOB.
BOB is still auditing license records, so these totals may change as the audit is completed.
Most Missouri breeders selling online aren’t licensed
Licensing gets most of the attention, but it only covers part of the puppy market. BOB reviewed 2,384 Missouri breeders advertising on Good Dog, Puppies.com and AKC Marketplace. 2,028, or 85%, have no state or USDA license on record.
The lighter section shows breeders with a license on record or a likely match.
2,028 vs. 944
Unlicensed breeders on just three websites, compared with every licensed dog breeder in Missouri.
379
Online breeders who advertise enough breeding dogs to meet Missouri’s licensing threshold, but don’t appear in BOB’s license records.
What “unlicensed” means for buyers
Most of these breeders are small, and many list only a few breeding dogs, which keeps them under the point where a license is required. They’re selling legally. But it also means no inspector has ever been to their property. For most puppies sold online in Missouri, the only person who can check where a puppy was raised is you.
This is a starting count, not a full one. It covers three websites, not Facebook, Craigslist or breeders’ own sites. License status was checked against BOB’s database of USDA and state licensees, so a small number of licensed breeders may not have been matched. Breeding dog counts are what breeders list on their own profiles.
How often USDA inspections in Missouri find violations
Share of USDA inspections at Missouri dog breeders and brokers that cited at least one violation, by year.
Fewer violations on paper doesn’t always mean better conditions. 487 Missouri breeders have had a USDA license cancelled since 2020, and breeders licensed only by the state aren’t inspected by USDA at all. Counts regular USDA dog and cat inspections; attempted inspections where no animals were listed aren’t included. Source: USDA inspection reports compiled by BOB.
Where Missouri puppies are sold
In 2025, BOB documented 577 Missouri breeders selling puppies to pet stores. Of those, 266 (46%) had at least one violation on record in the past five years.
Pet stores selling puppies in Missouri
BOB tracks 14 open pet stores in Missouri that sell puppies. We rate 6 of them High on our sourcing concern scale, and the rest are rated lower or don’t yet have enough data to rate.
What Missouri law requires
- Does Missouri license dog breeders?
- Yes. The Missouri Department of Agriculture licenses commercial breeders. Under state law, that generally means a breeder who more than 3 intact females kept for breeding.
- How often are breeders inspected?
- State-licensed breeders are inspected once a year by the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Breeders who also hold a USDA license can be inspected by USDA as well.
- Can I look up a breeder’s state license?
- Contact the Missouri Department of Agriculture to confirm whether a breeder is licensed.
- Does Missouri have a puppy lemon law?
- No. Buyers have no state law specifically protecting them if a puppy is sick soon after purchase.
Compare commercial breeder and pet store laws in every state
Before you buy a puppy from a Missouri breeder
Not every breeder is a puppy mill. These steps help you tell the difference.
If your puppy gets sick
Missouri doesn’t have a puppy lemon law, so no state law specifically entitles you to a refund, a replacement or vet costs if a puppy is sick or dies soon after you buy it. 22 states have these laws, but Missouri isn’t one of them. Before you pay, ask for a written health guarantee and vet records, and keep copies of every message and receipt.
- Check the license. Ask for the breeder’s state license number and confirm it with the Missouri Department of Agriculture. If they say they’re USDA licensed, search the USDA inspection search for their recent reports.
- Look them up in our directory. The BOB breeder directory shows licensing and inspection history for breeders we track.
- Visit in person. Most breeders selling online aren’t licensed or inspected, so your visit may be the only check anyone does. Ask to see where the puppy and its mother live. A breeder who only meets you in a parking lot or ships sight unseen is a red flag.
- If something goes wrong, report a sick puppy or a suspected puppy mill to BOB, and contact the Missouri Department of Agriculture.
Common questions
How many dog breeders are in Missouri?
BOB tracks 944 licensed dog breeders in Missouri: 658 with a USDA license and 286 licensed only by the state. BOB has also found 2,028 Missouri breeders selling puppies online with no license on record.
Is an unlicensed breeder breaking the law?
Usually not. Most breeders are small enough that they don’t need a license. But it means no inspector has checked on their dogs, so it’s up to you to visit and ask questions.
Does a USDA license mean a breeder is good?
No. A USDA license means a breeder has met minimum federal standards to operate and can be inspected. It isn’t an endorsement. Check the breeder’s inspection reports and visit in person.
Are Missouri puppies sold in other states?
Yes. In 2025, BOB documented 577 Missouri breeders selling puppies to pet stores, many of them outside Missouri.
What can I do if my puppy from a Missouri breeder gets sick?
Missouri has no puppy lemon law, so your options depend mostly on what the seller agreed to in writing. That’s why a written health guarantee matters. You can also report the seller to BOB.
How do I report a puppy mill in Missouri?
You can report it to BOB and file a complaint with the Missouri Department of Agriculture.
For legislators and advocates
You’re welcome to use these figures in testimony, reporting and outreach. Please cite BOB and the date shown so readers can find the current numbers. For more detailed data, contact research@bailingoutbenji.com.
How to cite this page
Bailing Out Benji. “Dog Breeding in Missouri.” bailingoutbenji.com, November 2026. https://bailingoutbenji.com/research-and-data/states/missouri/
Figures come from BOB’s database of licensed and unlicensed breeders, brokers and pet stores, inspection reports compiled by BOB, and BOB’s reviews of online puppy marketplaces. Counts are statewide totals.