Opinions on Shipping... Please, Thank You !! - Page 1

OK you all know I have never "shipped" a pup, I have had strong feelings on the subject for the following reasons: What if person talks a good talk, but dog ends up in backyard on a chain with a box for a bed ? What if person has heart attack on the way to Airport ? What if person is "unhappy" with the pup ? How do you get them back to you if things go sideways ? What if Airport looses the dog ? Benefits of meeting people in my opinion are : Face to face gives you a connection with the people you just can't get over the phone. Having them here to see first hand the Temperaments of our dogs is great benefit to both us and to the purchaser. Purchaser is allowed an "inside" first hand look at how our dogs are "family" members and can still do the work. (protection, schH, SAR, and Therapy) I get to go over the paperwork with the purchaser, explain in detail the contract, show them the form for the microchip, show them how to fill out AKC Reg. papers, and explain the importance of xrays. I beleive having someone sit at my table while I go over some of the more intimate details of do's and dont's gives the purchaser advantage. Anyway, I have been contacted several times now, by folks who simply live too far away to expect them to drive here, They seem really nice, they have expeirience with GSD's and wish to add a family member and really like our program. But with our No ship policy it's almost impossible to accomodate these individuals, I for now have been forwarding these folks on to breeders that I myself trust and respect and they do ship. I guess I'm just wondering what you all think on the subject of to Ship or not to Ship if you will. Thanks in advance for any and all input. I think this is all just a quirky thing on my part that I get too atatched and too emotional over our pups and can't seem to "get over it" But want to gather the thoughts of those of you whom I very much respect.

Echo I have shipped and have had shipped to me. All the pups have arrived at their destinations in very good shape including my new little girl who flew from Frankfurt to Portland spent the night at a friends house, then shipped the next day to me. If any harm was done I cannot see it, she is happy,outgoing, social, and a terror! LOL! Her first flight into Portland was about 16 hours with waiting for Customs etc. , second flight just a couple hours. When it comes to people buying, I think you can only do the best you can.. people who come to your house may also be putting on heirs, move soon after and you can loose touch etc. The important thing is conveying how much you care about your dogs and pups and that you want to have the first option to get the dog back if they have to place their pup/dog. I think most will be glad to comply as it is not always easy to place an older dog. You could also microchip the pups in your name so if lost or ever dropped at a humane society you will be the one notified. Also send cards at Holidays, occasional calls just to help them know your sincere and care about the dog, it will also encourage them to keep in touch with you.

Echo, If you have someone that you think you'd really like to sell a pup to that's too far away, how about arranging for a home check just like a rescue group would do? I've done checks for rescues and for breeders that I know when they've needed help in my area. Also, one breeder I know contacts rescue groups in the area (that she trusts) and asks if the potential purchaser is on any of their no adoption lists. If I were purchasing a dog from someone that was too far for me to visit, I'd do pretty much the same thing - ask the local rescue group if they were familar with the breeder and ask a trusted/ knowledgeble friend to make personal contact for me with the breeder.

People will pretty much tell you what you want to hear. Some you can look right in the eyes and you cant tell.They pretty much do what they want anyhow.I even send a folder home with each pup with written instructions and answers to frequently ask questions and still I get emails or phone calls. I have shipped and have had pups shipped to me. The pups are usually no worse for wear. A little smelly .I did have a pup not make it to me. She arrived the next day. I had to make several phone calls though and was very persistant.I was able to talk to the person that kenneled the pup and was able to get the airline to give me free shipping.

TrailRider, Excellent Suggestions, and we do Microchip already and are 2nd registered contact on the chip. Also contract says they come back to us, no matter what !!! bsceltic, Excellent ideas right there, I might have to look into that. Janette, That is all very true, good idea with the frequent asked questions thing, I like that !! Thanks everyone, I will take all into consideration, I can say my stomach is turning a little less than it was when I posted my questions, due to your excellent responses, Truly Thank You, I appreciate it very much !!

Hi Echo, the questions you posted at the beginning are, in my opinion, things taht are related to "the risks of life"- neverless, a breeder should always strive to get his pups into the right homes. After all, all that you allready do is pretty much the best you can do. About the flying of a pup, in my experience it does not hurt the dog a bit, i believe we as caring breeders, tend to se it as " Oh, poor pup will sit in a crate for X-hours" ! The pups i sent over to the US from Frankfurt always arrived safe & sound, and actually i was told by the new owners, that when they got the pup out of the crate, there was something like an immidiate bonding between them ! What i see as the hardest is, when a long distance sale is done, that i cannot talk to the person face to face. In these cases i have to go with my guts. Neverless, there will be phonecalls & mails exchanged and i will heavyly relay on my wifes opinion ! But even when a german comes and picks up a pup, i require at least 1 prior visit and they will not get to see the pups before we had a cup of coffee together, you can end up with a bad experience. Been there, done that ! After all, once the pup is paid for and in the pocession of a new owner, they can do whatever they like to do with the dog, legally ! We can write into a contract as much as we want, we are simply not able to keep track of each single pup. Yes, i do encourage peopel, if problems come up to contact me first, but what if they dont ? I guess, what it boils down to, is, do as much as we can, and have the trust & faith that the new owner will like & love the pup as much as we do ! And luckily, most of the times it works out just that way. Kind Regards Ulli Dresbach

Ulli, Have always respected your posts, and once again would like to say Thank You, Excellent response, and yes all makes sense. Thank You again.