In regards to another thread I am interested in people's views.

To the breeders out there would you export a puppy abroad, for either pet or show? If not why?

I am thinking about getting another dog but have problems finding a suitable dog. Most pet shops sell puppies but would be pf dogs so that is a no. Lots of nice pedigree dogs but again mostly byb or pf. And the variety of available dogs is poor, if I wanted a Lab or Beagle or even native dogs such as the Thai Ridgeback or the BangKaew I would be sorted. I know my limitations and the native breeds are unpredictable, although beautiful.

So I would like to know how breeders feel about exporting a puppy as to whether I start finding out more or whether I wait until we return to the UK in however many years time

I have sent 4 puppies out to the US, to show homes. Luckily, the person that got the pups, bar one, is a really good friend, so I have no worries. She has visited us in the UK and I have been out there twice now.

I would be more cautious about sending a pup to a non-english speaking country, simply for the language barriers that could be present.

Importing - I have imported one male from the said friend in the US, it worked out very well for both of us, but I will say it aint for the fainthearted, much research is needed and it can be hugely expensive. It cost us just short of 2 grand to get Blue shipped over from the US, travelling costs alone. We now know oa better way to do it, much cheaper, but still, it can all add up to an awful lot of money, especially if you then have to quarantine, we were lucky, we didnt have any quarantine worries with Blue.

I should also add, I spent nearly 2 years searching and researching for a breeder before finally deciding on the US and Blue's breeder.

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Yes I can see the problems importing/exporting and the expense. Makes sense really and I agree to a non English speaking country must be difficult and our dogs are such important parts of our lives.

At dog shows here lots of dogs have been imported from the States but very few from the UK. I did meet a lovely Thai guy who imported a couple of Shelties and I think he was a Scot at heart His grandson was studying at Edinburgh University and I think he was almost as proud of that as his gorgeous dogs. He went over to Scotland on holiday almost every year and obviously had a great relationship with the breeder.

we have had a few people contact as us, with regards to having a show puppy from our lines, or choosen mating. - Each one has been turnt down, because these are people we do not know well, even if we have heard of the affix. - we are folk that like to keep in contact with owners and puppies, that is made harder when selling to someone you hardly know across the seas. - Its something that I wont say we will never do, but its certainly something that needs alot of thought, and we would have to meet with the people in person before deciding and get to know them.
For people like us that show, its nice to get your pups in other parts of the world, but whats most important is a suitable, life long, understanding/caring owner.

So, hypothetically, if you met somebody at shows (say Crufts as that has more international showings/visitors now) and got to know them and had an email/phonecall friendship for a couple of years you would consider exporting a pup?

As breeding is such an emotional commitment I can see the difficulty. I guess if I want an ethically bred pup I need to wait until we get back home, I just have no idea how long that will be

The thing with meeting folk at shows is, they can be the nicest of people but still you dont know how their dogs are kept. - when a breeder is trying to find suitable homes, how the dogs are treated and kept is very important. - we also like people to come to us and visit our dogs, puppies and this way we get a rough idea of how they are around dogs and if they really do have an understanding for the breed. (although again, you can be tricked!).

But yes if we meet someone, got to know them - build up a friendship, and trust we would think hard about letting a pupster of ours go.


I am sure there will be someone willing to let you have a puppy from them, but from a buyers point of view you may find it hard to select an ethical breeder, not being able to view the pups in the breeders care, with the dam - health certs and like wise.

Before I get another dog I would try to meet breeders etc as I do come back to the UK for about 6 weeks in the summer but I know it will be almost impossible for me to see the litter unless the timing is very good.

It is partly interest on my part as well as wishful thinking as my OH has said he sees staying here 4 more years rather than the 2 I planned Also so many US dogs are imported for shows here and Boxers and Dobies have cropped ears and are docked which I hate. There is 1 undocked Rottie here which came from Germany and very few dogs from the UK so i wondered what breeders on here thought.

I had an email relationship for over a year before I went over to visit and take my pup over, my breeder/mentor came with me (was one helluva trip, but thats another story!!) and we met up with Deb and saw her dogs and met other people that had dogs of her breeding and met even more people at a rottie show. I think both Deb and I were extremyl fortunate, in that something just 'clicked' between us and we have gone on to develop a deep bond, not least because 2 of the pups died, and the aftermath that came for us to dealwith was horrendous. I met Blue as a baby puppy too, on that fist visit, and agreed there and then to have him.

You also need to remember the social and ethical differences between countries, what is accepted in one country may be frowned upon in another............

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Yes, and alot that goes on abroad is frowned upon in the UK - Making it alot harder for some breeders to trust!

Yes, but some differences dont mean that they love or care for their dogs any less than we do, and a degree of respect should always be upheld, regardless of personal feelings.

For instance, in Europe and in the US, a lot more adult rotties are sold and re-sold, yet it doesnt happen a lot here - within the show world, I mean.

Prong collars are most definitely frowned upon here, yet many thousands use them to no ill-effect in the US.

Many here no longer like check chains, most bigger sized breeds are all on check chains in Europe.

And on and on and on................................

Not saying I agree or disagree with what is or isnt done, just pointing out examples, lol!

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