importing a puppy questions? - Page 1

i have never imported a puppy and was hoping some of the people who have could answer me some questions.

1- do you get a guarentee with the pup, including but not limited to health, hips certifing, etc.

2- if you do get a guarentee and there is a problem whom do you use to resolve it?  would you have to take them to court in whatever country you got the dog from?

i can see importing an older dog who has hips done, titled, etc.  but with the gamble that is puppy buying.

i know that a lot of people have imported puppies,  and i would like to hear from all of you.  especially if you had a problem and how you went about resolving the issue.

john

have never imported a puppy and was hoping some of the people who have could answer me some questions.

See colored reply below

1- do you get a guarentee with the pup, including but not limited to health, hips certifing, etc.

you do get a gaurantee most of the time but its normally difficult to prove and its mainly upto the breeder

2- if you do get a guarentee and there is a problem whom do you use to resolve it?  would you have to take them to court in whatever country you got the dog from?

if you do get a guarentee and something does go wrong remember that you may get a free puppy but you will have pay for all logistic charges agin. Breeders will always argue back. Note the breeders breed 30% of the dog, the balance 70% is upto you

i can see importing an older dog who has hips done, titled, etc.  but with the gamble that is puppy buying.

This again is a gamble because if u are buying a breeding dog who has passed everything and is good then why is he/she for sale - good dogs are not sold easily

You also need to consider the much higher freight charge and box size

i know that a lot of people have imported puppies,  and i would like to hear from all of you.  especially if you had a problem and how you went about resolving the issue.

John,

I have imported MANY dogs from several countries for myself and friends and clients, and NO, most of the time the Europeans do NOT guarantee a dog in any way shape or form. IF one has a really good relationship with a particular breeder, yes, some would make it right should there be an issue with the import.

Secondly, if you cannot personally speak, read and write the language in question, I would seriously suggest you are already asking for trouble. It is common to see people here complaining about breeders abroad, but they could not speak, read or write the language in question so indeed, misunderstandings are bound to arise.

My advice to you is to look here and see just how many problems and misunderstandings and screwings go on here in this country. Sure, one can sue, but it really is not realistic more often than not. When you consider bringing legal action against someone in a foreign country, I would suggest that it is not going to be cheap, and it may be fruitless in the end.

Bottom line is this: if you do NOT know whom you are dealing with, and that includes people here in the states that would say they will find a dog for you, then don't do it. There are plenty of fine dogs here to consider instead. There are honest and ethical breeders here and abroad, but there are some who are not. It may well be one's luck you get into a situation that does not end up being what you wanted if one does not know whom to deal with.

I've imported direct from Germany and I've set up importing from Hungary for a client. NO major PROBLEMS either way. I dealt with a high-profile German kennel with a solid reputation(Kirschental!), so I had no concerns or worries, and I was thrilled with my puppies I imported from them (excellent transaction, excellent information, and pups were in excellent condition when they arrived from Karl and Marion Fuller). No written guarantee of any sort was discussed or provided, and most places like Germany don't deal with heartworm like we do, so you have to make SURE you put your GSD from another country on heartworm protection ASAP if your climate is prone for such. As for the Hungarian import, it arrived but was very thin and rather backward-obviously not socialised or anything. But turned out to be a nice dog.

Keep in mind you may have issues with bringing a dog into the US with CUSTOMS; if they think you're importing the dog to breed and make money, then they will wanna make money off of you so you can get your dog by having a broker get it FOR you-it has to go thru Customs in order for you to get the dog so you're kinda forced to do it their way. Make sure your breeder has proper vet paperwork and passports all done or you're in for a mess. Customs was the RUDEST and worst part about importing nice GSDs for me personally(even with proper paperwork done), so read up and be prepared if you decide to do such.

thanks for the info, hopefully more will come.

just to clarify, i am not importing a pup, (i know too many good breeders here as Hodie stated)  a friend is considering gettting a dog and asked me for info.  having never done it myself, i thought i would get some input from others and share with him.

please keep the info flowing, this is good knowledge which a lot of people can benefit from.

john

If your country has good dogs then its no point importing, if your country does not have good dogs then its important that you import a good dog.

Here in Sri Lanka many people are importing alot of rubbish dogs and selling them at ridiculous prices thus at the end its demeaning for dogs. There are better country bred dogs than the imported ones.

An imported top quality dog is good only for a breeder who can professionally breed and pass good offspring thus helping the breed

John, IMO I'd say it's hard enough to find an older trained, titled dog to import from someone in Europe that isn't gonna rip you off and send you what you're looking for let alone a pup that is a crap shoot from the start no matter where you buy it.  MO is that at least buying a pup here in the states gives you an opportunity to see the parents or at least ask around to find out what you can about the kennel you're buying from.  Then you have the language barrier to deal with also in most cases when dealing with a European kennel.  Even if they speak English it's usually not very good so it's hard to communicate what you're looking for or even them understanding what you're asking.

Is your friend looking for show lines or WL?

I imported a puppy from a small breeder in Germany.  I don't remember any gaurentees but based on the distance it would have been wasted anyway.  I had no problems with the transaction.    Zwinger Boneshaker was great to deal with and gave me very personal service.  And Boa is a wonderful dog. 

I've also bought puppies from kennels within the US.  Super people and dogs also.

Why do you want to import a puppy???

agar, i dont know.  i have told him he can find quality dogs here.  it would only be a guess on my part from talking to him that he is looking at a working litter.

rain,  i dont. i was asking for a friend who asked me about it.  i told him i had never imported a dog and would ask some people who have.

john