Buying a dog from Germany - Page 3

The thing about it all is do not buy a dog from Germany just so you can say "I imported a dog from Germany, the Germans have us as Americans figured out. The business is not like it used to be, Some of the Germans think we are all rich, so the prices have doubled. There are a lot of titled dogs here in the States and the price may be high but by the time you ship a dog from Germany you have paid the same if not more. The last dog we imported the shipping was 810.00 us dollars and then you need to think about the Euro. You just have to think about all of your options and do what is best. There are some German kennels that are good and there are some that are not and it goes for the same here in the States, there are also some kennels here in the States that I would not deal with. There is a k9 kennel (in the States) that sold us a k9 dog, they said that the dog was 18 months old and we found out later that the dog was 3yrs old. So no matter who you deal with you just have to have common sense and some good advice... Sandra....

If you are looking for working lines I'll point you in the right direction

there are alot of honest breeders in germany,i have imported dogs from germany and got just what i was promised,i hear people saying all time that don t imported a dog from germany,because they will get screwed,but yet they will import dogs,u.s.a breeders ask way to much for a puppy there is no puppy worth 2.000 and sure not 3.000 ,..before i would pay 2000 for a puppy ,i would just go ahead pay more for a titled dog,come on now all puppy s are a crap shoot,, so come on now ,and i know there are car salesmen all over the world,all it takes is a little home work,, ............rick...........

Thanks everybody for their replies. What I understood is one has to be lucky to get in contact with the "right people" or can get screwd nicely. Well that is applicable any other field of life also. One more thing I understood is it is better to go to Germany see for yourself with your own eyes what you are buying rather depending on photos and emails. Well that is not possible for everyone to visit Germany. But what about the top kennels like Bad-bll,Arlett,Batu,Agrigento,Etc. Can we be assured about the dog in the photo and the actual dog and also about the other things such as Sch,Korung,titles,etc. Sachin

There is no need to visit Germany. Even in Germany many people decide on a dog without seeing it in person first these days, thanks to the internet. Bought my own house dog from a photo only, could not be happier. He is exactly as described and he turned out exactly as I predicted he would. Just from a pic... Very few people actually do have the time, money and luxury to go over in person just to shop for a dog. Chances are too that you will come back empty handed anyways and would have to go several times til you find the right dog. Becauhause... all of the sudden you are the kid in the candy store, too many options, can't decide, everybody tells you this one is best, better than that one, or that one has better lines or options or future or God know what else. If a breeder welcomes you into their kennel they want to see you leave with one of their pups... Soon you start to doubt what you want and need and in the end return more frustrated/confused than ever, or with a dog you are not sure you actually wanted. If you go to Germany go to just look and decide before hand that you will not buy anything. Then mull over it, from that formulate what you want and then search for specifics. It is actually much easier to make a more sane decision from the comfort of your home rather than when you have a bundle of fur licking your face and is soooo cute, and the breeder charming, or you are humbled because omygosh that top breeder gave you the time of day. Sounds very much though like you want the sure thing, get a dog that will put you right into the thick of things from the get go. Big dreams. Happens all the time. Hear it all the time. Very unlikely to happen. Your first dog will be the beginning of a long learning curve. That would be the most sane approach for any newbie. Don't expect too much, be happy if things turn out better and if not, file it under lifes lessons. Germany has many breeders, not just the few you have mentioned. With your first dog you will need to learn the ropes. Success in the GSD world has to be earned like in every other part of life. It will not be handed to you just because you bought a pup from a famous kennel. One question is easy to answer - the parents will have at least SchH1 and a-stamp, and if the pups come with pink papers also have the KKL. If an older dog has any titles or a-stamp or anything else, you can usually be sure that that info is correct. If a dog is offered to you with certain accomplishments and then it turns out the dog does not have these accomplishment that is fraud. Seriously, the average dog does not cost enough for a seller to get himself into hot water over something as that. And most reliable sellers will show you the correct photos too. However, sometimes pix are older, and especially with a young dog the appearance (especially black content) can change a lot in just a few months. So for a young dog take that into consideration, for an older dog there should be little difference if a photo is even a year old. The dog may have filled out a bit more, but overall should be recognizable as the dog in the photo. IMO you are way too general still in your approach to make an informed decision. You are indeed hoping to have luck handed to you. In form of the right dog and the right contact. Luck has little to do it. Use common sense. If it sounds too good, it will be too good. If you feel pushed, back off. If you are in doubt, listen to your doubts. If it clicks, go with it. In the end you have to like the dog, no one else, not even a judge.

Sumo, Germany is very nice, a lot of beutiful scenery and things to see. That is mostly what i do when I am there. If you want to be taken around to different kennels it is going to cost you. I have been there several times and all the kennels are not right there in a row. Most are a couple of hour drive outside of the cities. You will spend more money running around kennel to kennel then you would spend just getting a dog shipped to you. From what it sounds like reading all your post, you want to get into GSD's, jump right into breeding and make money at it. Good Luck. You have to pay your dues before anyone is going to pay top dollar for your dogs even if you buy champion dogs and breed them. I have been in this for many years and only now do I actually make any money off of breeding.(does not take into consideration what I spent on the dogs originally). That's becauuse I have credentials backing me up and still I only make some money. I make more money importing and training dogs for people and handling dogs in war zones then I will ever make on breeding. I admire your enthusiasim, but don't set yourself up for disappointment. Get your first dog, join a club, enjoy it and learn.

If you have not already done so, go watch BSZS once- I am sure it will help narrow down your choices. Also, you get to see all top breeders in one place. Make sure you have someone to translate as a good number won't speak english. There are people who conduct tours to BSZS like Fred Lanting, who will take you to four or five kennels after the show and can also translate for you. This might be a cost-effective way to go about it. Parting shot - to get "nicely screwed", one does not have to go to Germany; that can happen anywhere in this orld. it is not a german speciality !

Hi Silbersee, hi K9Chess, please forgive me if this may sound harsh, but my english isn¿t that good and i just did not find better words. Also excuse me for ansewring that late, but my puppys & work are taking their toll. Silbersee, the average puppyprice is around 700 €uros, some may take less some may take more.Which normally incl. all in Germany nessecery shots, tatooing, pink sv-papers. Needless to say, when you go to get the Shots done the vet ( At least my vet does)performs a healthcheck. Now, if u start to add up what one pays for transport or shipping of the pup and set that in perspective to what a puppy in the states might cost..... No harsh feeling on my side, but i believe thats entirely the responsibility of the buyer. If u choose to live on a island and all the supplys taht u need are more expensive because they have to be shipped to you, do you blame that on the grocerystore ?? I truely believe in the right to choose. K9, i am married to my wife since, geeee, already 13 years and sometimes i still have not figured her out !!! ( Now, dont u tell her !!)You mentioned that most germans think, that money lies on the street over there in the new world......like i said before i have been in all states never found money lying on the street ! And guess what...if u come to my place and u want to take a look in my kennel u are more then wellcome ! This also is true for the kennels i know of. If someone has to hide something he¿s going to do that anyway. Now comes the best part, here we have an american complaining about free trade and free pricing ! I agree with u a 100% about that studdog that would be less if with u....... but if there is someone that is willing to pay that higher price, should u turn him down ? Come on, get real some one pays u 2500 $ for your pups and is happy with it ! So what, are u telling him keep a 1000$ !! Oh, 1 more thing, i have seen it so many times: Americans / Germans buy dogs here that are titled for 4-6000 €uros, turn around and sell them in the US as "Personell Protection Dogs" for 30-40 000 $ !!! Do i like it .... will the former owner like it to see what he might have gotten for his dog .... does anyone care ? There are peopel that have these kind of connections and they will use them. And i will say this for the last time, we have many breeders here in Germany that will work with u if u have health issues with your dog. And that despite the fact that it is not in a contract. There are crooks all over this planet ..... just stay away from them :-) ! Sure hope this did not sound offensive, i truely did not mean to be. Regards Ulli Dresbach

Hello again..... sorry for hitting tha button twice.....and K9....my wife is american. Ulli

Oskar1, While I do believe in defending your country, I think you are a lot like other people that reply to omments. You say something about someone and people want to think that your putting everyone is one category. I know that there are good and bad all over the world in this country and yours, I did not say all of German kennels are like that nor did I put every one in one boat. The price of dogs have gone up for the Americans. I wanted to buy a dog, I contacted the kennel the dog was 3500.00 euro's, I had my German friend call and the dog was 2500.00 euro's. I have done a lot of dealings with Germany and I have friends over there, so I am not dump or blind to the dog business. Have I been lied to and scammed by the Germans YES and also by the Americans, all I said is that if you want to buy a dog from Germany you need to do your homework and talk to other people that has done good business with kennels so you know who to trust. And as far as the Americans not getting to go into the kennels that does happen you may let someone into you kennel and so would I, again so you will understand not everybody is like that in Germany, you just have to know who to deal with. Sandra