Only about half of Finland’s estimated 800,000 dogs have been entered into the dog register, even though registration has long been part of the official system. From now on, failing to register a dog can result in a 300-euro penalty, but the measure has not persuaded all owners to comply.

According to Molli Nyman of Suomen koirankasvattajat ry, the problem cannot be solved by the register alone. She says the system maintained by Ruokavirasto cannot prevent puppy farming, and it also does not stop illegal dog imports, which breeders see as one of the most persistent problems in the sector.

Breeders are frustrated because the register was expected to improve traceability and keep ownership details up to date. In their view, however, the benefit remains limited if the system does not cover all dogs and does not reach the channels through which unethical trade and imports can continue.

The register is part of a broader effort to bring Finland’s dog population into the authorities’ records, but its practical impact depends on how widely owners submit their notifications. The new penalty is meant to encourage compliance, yet it also raises the question of how effectively information and enforcement reach dog owners.

The debate also shows that dog welfare problems cannot be solved with a single administrative tool. Breeders say the register must be accompanied by measures against puppy farming and opaque import chains if the goal is to clean up dog trade and improve traceability.