importing pups from europe - Page 3

I've only been a GSD owner for 12 years, but I don't think I'd have any problem finding a well bred, sound puppy right here in the US.

I imported an Eros von der Mohnwiese X Dinky Van Hildernisse pup from Holland with no problems, no surprises. The paper work came in full when the breeder said it would. The van Hildernisse Kennel was very good supplying all info. needed and it was a pleasure dealing with them. I am very happy with this puppy! cueman_44601@yahoo.com

I have imported a puppy/young dog from Belgium. I am in the UK so we have the petpassport scheme to deal with. The dog was nearly 10 months when I brought him back. Purchased from a very good kennel and someone who I now consider a friend. I left the selection to the breeder although I visited the litter at 8 weeks to see them all. I liked the breeding and the litter all seemed good. He was run on with basic imprinting done and all the necessary jabs and waiting for the petpassport scheme. The puppy price was cheaper than I could buy in the UK! but the cost was the 6 months boarding. As always though do your homework.. I was happy I had found someone I could trust and I got what I expected... If I heard of another breeding from the same breeder that I was interested in I would do it again. Steve T.

I had a Bax Luisenstrasse pup I bought from Jane Steffenhagen through her kennel in Germany. I had absolutely no problems. I do agree most of what you would probably want can be found in your own backyard.

I can only speak to my one very recent experience, but here goes: I just recently bought a pup from Zwinger vom Kirchental out of Dux de Cuatro Flores and Lailana vom Kirschental (he is here: http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/474040.html ). My dealings with Karl Fuller's wife Marion (I don't speak German and she is the English speaker in the couple) were strictly via email, and you could not ask for a more responsive, helpful, knowledgeable and pleasant person. The pup arrived here in the U.S. on June 26, and he was exactly as Marion Fuller told me he was: very well put together structurally, very rich black and red color, very intelligent and very affectionate. Aside from pooping and peeing in the shipping crate he was not the least bit traumatized by his journey, and after a quick bath once we got home he was just fine. He has adjusted very quickly to his new home and my 11-year-old male GSD (who is far too tolerant of him!). He began barking and "patrolling" my property within a day of his arrival. He is a very calm pup when out in public but an absolute devil at home, with plenty of drive. He has been extremely healthy so far, adjusted very quickly to his new food, and, after less than one month here, appears to be fully housebroken (although I am still crossing my fingers on that one). As to price, I also could not be happier: the total cost of Orbis, including his selling price, shipping from Germany, dollar-Euro exchange and wiring money, etc., was under $1900. The ads I've seen for pups out of Dux available in America from range in price from $3,500 to a staggering $6,500 - and don't include shipping prices that can be $500 or more. Of course, it helps to know in advance that the breeders you are dealing with have a lengthy track record of honest and ethical behavior, and I did know from folks here that the Fullers had such a track record and that their word could be trusted 100%. There is also the consideration mentioned above that the Germans simply don't guarantee anything more than that a live pup will arrive at your airport. But as a lawyer specializing in civil litigation who has read some of the terms of the contracts provided by a few of the "high-end" American brokers, all I can say is that there are so many potential "outs" stacked in favor of the broker that you'll be lucky to recover a dime if something goes wrong other than hip dysplasia - I mean, how the hell can anyone guarantee temperament?!?! So I wouldn't necessarily place huge emphasis on contractual guarantees as a reason to pay three times as much for a pup. So to conclude, I am extremely happy with how things went for me, and would do it again in a heartbeat.

vnb