Joao - I don't know how it works as I didn't have one before (it's not mandatory for young puppies) but in my understanding the council will check that there are no registered complaints about the dogs/owner, get written agreements from persons living in the rest of the properties in that area, make an inspection of the yard/house to see if fit for the dogs/breed... Check the documents - registrations/shots, tags, neutered or not, plans to breed etc. These should be the main steps, I don't know if I missed anything. I don't plan to breed them at all, they're in good shape and indoor dogs - so they have the same living conditions we have. All docs in order, and I am not aware of any formal complaints. So nope, it's not just a paper to pay for.Theoretically it's a good thing - many irresponsible byb out there, not that they request permit anyway - it's just that if anyone in the neighborhood has self esteem issues and wants to feel important and involved, then it gives them ammunition. Nothing wrong with being involved: something very wrong with being involved and not informed - or not interested to get information.I'm getting more and more annoyed by the way people - tb read "women" - put the kids in front of all their psychological issues. If anything, than "the big dogs in town are not safe for kids." So if anyone decides to get pregnant, we all should get immediately rid of our dogs - no matter how good or trained - as per this theory. There's a general hysterical wave from time to time with a pooch in the press - no one considers the thousands of dogs living peacefully in homes, though, because they're not so visible. That's exactly why getting a permit can be a pain. And we don't need a permit for 1 or 2 dogs - 1 or 2 can be aggressive as well, it doesn't take 3 dogs to bite. Nevertheless... we'll sort it out one way or another. If I have to relocate, than that's it.