Importing a Puppy/Dog from Abroad

Just wondering if anyone has imported a dog from abroad? I was looking at a Dobe kennel last night and they had a 'shipping fee' included in price of the puppy and it got me thinking, would I have one sent over, (in the future).

Any thoughts

I guess it depended what you wanted from your import - specifically for breeding, working, pet etc.

I know there are not many (not wishing to offend anyone) working dobes in the uk although kikimora (sp?) patrol dogs have a good website.

It's good that they have included the prices in the fee for the pup. I guess it would be a case of doing your homework as in the UK and hoping that all was well with the pup as it's a long way to travel if something is not quite right.

Personally i don't see anything wrong with it - if you can't source what you are looking for in the UK - then it makes sense to look elsewhere. Just my opinion though.

I know someone who had their dog shipped to Australia (they moved there). All I will say about the price of the airfair...ouch!!

I personally would never import a dog. The only reason I could see for doing that would be importing to further a breeding program, or for a 'rare' breed of dog. For a pet -- nope. There are plenty of good dogs in this country needing homes.

Would you really spend this much on something you`d not seen though? You`d have to be very trusting!

I've imported two from Germany (poodles not dobes obviously lol!). It isn't cheap and I really missed the puppy stage which I think is important because I like to teach mine what I want to and you are relying on someone else instilling the important things at a young age.
Would I do it again? Probably and if I thought I'd get away with smuggling it in as a baby pup I would
Becky

First the puppy/dog must be chipped and rabies vaccinated – the rabies shot cannot be done till 3 months of age so already the puppy is older. Then you must wait 1 month and do a blood test – if that gives good enough titre levels then the puppy must stay in Europe/country of origin for another 6 months from the date of the blood test before entry to Uk is permitted. Thus, any pup coming to UK will be at least 10 months old before it can come. If the titre blood test fails on required level of antibodies then you have to start the vaccination process again and wait another 1 plus 6 months). UK life can be quite frantic and pups reared in country kennels in Europe must be sufficiently socialised. There is also none of the cute puppy stage and important early training – will the breeder mind doing the house training and basic training in this time, hard when they are busy with their own dogs?

Then how to transport to UK, I guess people can drive - or you can fly pup. It all mounts up...., last time I flew a dog the box is about £100-150 then the flight is at least £500-700 plus UK cargo centre charges to handle dog on arrival – and that was about £100-150, if I remember rightly. Many airlines do not like transporting animals and you must fly a DEFRA approved route and carrier so no EasyJet to Stanstead LOL!

it is possible but has inbuilt cons that need thinking through....any flight delays can lead to mounting costs while dogs clear customs too.

Er not quite correct, if the 1st titre test is a failure, the puppy doesn't have to be re vaccinated it can be retested at a later date & also the test doesn't now have to be done after a calendar month it can be done at any time after the vaccination, so the test can be done earlier. The only immoveable time span(for rabies) is the 6 months after the titre test that gives the required result.

Thanks Joedee
I understand you don't have to wait a month, but most vets abroad do (that I have come across), also that retest can be done later, absolutely, but most folk would be in a hurry to get dog over and thus would probably opt for re-vax??

mary

I had Cooper done 3 weeks after vaccination as I contacted the testing laboratory first and asked them when I realised that the 30 days wasn't actually a requirement! They said best results were 21 -40 days post vaccination!
Becky

Thanks everyone for your input. The particular kennel that started me thinking is in the USA.