Importing a dog from europe - questions and concerns - Page 1

I am looking at a litter from a dog in Europe, that I will be importing a puppy from that's going to be costing around $20,000 USD all up incl flights, testing, training etc. The litter hasn't even been mated yet and they are requesting a deposit. Is this standard? I told them I will pay soon but i got another message saying 'have you paid yet?" I have checked this breeder with friends over in Germany and they all say they are a top breeder but asking for a deposit so early is unusual.

Another issue is one of the parents are LTV-MILD. Should i be staying away?

This is a litter that the mating hasn't taken place yet...is that right? What kind of training are you wanting and/or getting? I take it this is a Showline GSD?
Is that the going price for the quality you want for a puppy (what age?)

I don't know about Showlines but I personally wouldn't be putting up a deposit until at least the breeding has taken place and the pregnancy has been verified...

~Bob~

Thanks Q Man,

Yes the mating hasn't taken place, they said it will in March.

This is a working line litter and training is foundations for IGP before the puppy is old enough to be sent. We have strict quarantine so the puppy will need to be kept by the breeder for a few months before flying.

Do you know much about LTV? We do not test for this in our country and a MILD result is worrying or is this acceptable?

Twenty thousand dollars?

I cannot fathom this being a reasonable price for a puppy LET ALONE one whose parent has a genetic red flag. Huge red flag. HUGE.

I take deposits before I do the mating, so that part doesn't bother me. The puppy price does. As does the practice of breeding a dog with LTV (it predisposes the dog to a number of issues not the least of which is hind leg paralysis). There is no excuse for breeding a dog like that.

Sorry to be so blunt, but RUN. Do not buy this dog.

Hi jillmissal ,

$20,000 USD is all up including puppy price (which is only around $2500USD), flights, blood work, quarantine, board and training etc. The high price is due to our strict quarantine laws unfortunately and flight price during covid is very high too.

But yes i agree the LTV-MILD is concerning, I might have to pass it up :(

Is it a litter from the Czech Republic or Germany? There is a litter with mating planned in March in the Czech Republic, and he told me the same thing, a reserve now, also an expensive reserve, the breeder is very famous but it seems excessive to take a reserve before confirming pregnancy or before birth. I've stopped because it doesn't seem logical to me.

I wouldn't take a dog for free that had known LTV in the pedigree. At least they told you about it though. Some dogs never have issues with it, many do. With so many health issues in the breed, is there really a good reason for breeding a dog with this issue? Something about a deformed spine, no matter how "mild" is not something I mess with after spending over $30K on a young dog with a spinal deformity. The sport is incredibly hard on dogs physically, healthy dogs many times have issues after years of repeditive impact on joints, I know of many who have retired dogs early because of LTV.  It usually wont pop up all at once, sometimes starts with weird behavioral issues, screaming for no apparent reason, hind end weakness, progressively gets worse and not much can be done about it.  $20k seems extremely expensive but I supposed if you are adding months of board and train that could explain some of it.  

a couple thoughts, the first is I have never or would never put a deposit on an unmated litter. I don't care the fame of the dogs or the breeder. and I have always managed to get a dog for my needs.

$20,000 is a very high price for a pup.

for that money you should be able to get an adult, titled female, with health certs, and produce a whole litter of pups.

jmo,
Rik

20K?

I have an 18 month old male I'd sell you for that. Started in IGP.

I have a 3 YO female IGP 1, "A-1" H & E. DM clear. You can have her for 20K also.

20K is crazy expensive for a puppy. Does that include keeping and raising and titling?

Mike

Willingness to buy a $20,000 pup is God's way of telling you that you have too much money.