Buying a dog abroad..Advice

Milk_Tray

Hi Guys
Looking for some advice from someone who has either brought in a dog from Europe or knows the process. I have found a dog I partically want however it is based in Serbia. (American Staff) Its coming from a very popular breeder it seems, my issue comes with the transportation from Serbia to Ireland. They mentioned its a straight forward process through a contact of theirs(?) and they drive the dog over here door to door basically. Something just doesn't sit right with me on this one hence reaching out for some advice. The dog is currently 8 weeks old, however cant travel for legal reasons until 4 months.(didnt know this).. 
Would it not be possible to get it flown over instead of driving etc? Seems a strange one...maybe its to keep costings down but I have a huge sense of fear. Maybe this is totally standard but I have no experience doing this so I am hoping someone can guide me and advise.... Thanks

Cherry Blossom

what do you mean exactly when you say they are a popular breeder?

Are they using a pet transport company?

Ms Doubtfire1

one simple advice: DON'T. Serbia, a country I am very familiar with, has no animal protection laws, no regulation of breeding, no rules of vaccination nothing.Further more dog fights are rife. Whatever the so called popular breeder is telling you is lies.stay away!

Páid

As far as I can see Serbia is not an approved third country so it's a high risk third country. The requirements for those dogs are here - http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/animalhealthwelfare/eupetpassport/detailedrulesforeupettravel/3HighRisk270416.doc

From this page (last link) - http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/pets/detailedrulesforeupettravel/


Beware of scams asking you for money in advance for travel costs, licences, any other reason, etc.

VonVix

Honestly, I'd rather import from a country closer to home, somewhere I could visit before making a decision. Not only that, but getting a puppy at 4 months you have to be 100% sure if the standards of how that puppy was living, raised and socialised on a daily basis. Otherwise for all you know you could be getting a frightened, poorly socialised mess of a puppy.

I have a breed I'm interested in and would only be happy getting one of them from abroad (considering the standards I have seen here in Ireland) but that will only happen if I first meet and interact with a breeder and that we are both happy to move forward. A breeder shouldn't be quick to sell or send a puppy abroad without doing a lot of question asking first.

I would trust your gut instinct on this.

Cherry Blossom

I was in touch with a breeder in north west England before I got my Sheltie. They wanted me to travel over to meet them and their dogs and again when I reached the top of the list to meet the potential pup. She insisted the pup would fly into Belfast or Dublin and would have collected it there. there would have been less traveling time for me to drive over than collect in Dublin but she maintained it was best for the pup.

tk123

Milk_Tray wrote: »

Would it not be possible to get it flown over instead of driving etc? Seems a strange one...maybe its to keep costings down but I have a huge sense of fear. Maybe this is totally standard but I have no experience doing this so I am hoping someone can guide me and advise.... Thanks

My friend had his dog driven back to Poland rather than pay his airfare - he flew home in comfort and the dog was sent back with this guy who goes back and forth all the time!

I have a lot of ties with Serbia. Positive ones. But no way would I source a dog from there. Definitely trust your gut on this.

Ms Doubtfire1

Deleted User wrote: »

I have a lot of ties with Serbia. Positive ones. But no way would I source a dog from there. Definitely trust your gut on this.

my OH is serbian. Love the country. But their treatment of animals is even worse than in Ireland-and goes unpunished.

deadlybuzzman

Buying a pup without seeing it and the parents is a disaster waiting to happen. You've no idea of the temperament of any of the dogs, could be issues with dog aggression, fear etc.
Google UBBR, they're a bull breed registery and would be able to give you good info.
Also you'd be amazed how good some of the dogs are in rescues. We've had total strangers twice walk up to us on the street and offer us money to get pups off her. Not that we would, she's been fixed and regardless she's a pet not a puppy machine

aonb

My 2 cents worth - completely from the puppy point of view. An American Staffordshire is on the restricted list. I would be VERY concerned about (1) getting an am staff from someone I havent met, and checked the parents and the environment its been bred/reared in. and (2) I would be concerned about getting any puppy thats 16 weeks old, but coming from a dubious background (in that you cant check it out) and from a restricted breed - its personality/socialsation/temprement will be pretty established by the time you get it - you dont want a staffie that hasnt been well bred/well reared.

Surely you can get one closer to home?
I had a visitor Staffy today - called Bruce, a brindle massively muscled boy - but probably the biggest sloberer/softie/cutie Ive met in a long time I would LOVE to own him - hes fantastic He last came in about a month ago, and remembered where the doggie-visitor-treats were stored!!

Milk_Tray

Thanks guys - this is why I ask the questions! I dont know of any people who breed these in Ireland thats the problem, the only 1 or 2 I found dont have breeding plans for this year.

I had concerns about the 4 month thing too - I thought it would be quite developed at that age and would/could have issues from his surroundings.

I'll walk away and keep looking. Thanks all

Milk_Tray

Sorry I made a mistake Its not Serbia, its actually Ukraine. I imagine its the same as though.

aonb

Just curious Milk_tray, why do you specifically want/prefer an American Staffordshire specifically as opposed to a Staffordhire?

Milk_Tray

aonb wrote: »

Just curious Milk_tray, why do you specifically want/prefer an American Staffordshire specifically as opposed to a Staffordhire?

Yes, the Amstaff in particular, being a bigger breed with larger head. Have always wanted one , just hard to come by a good one

VonVix

Milk_Tray wrote: »

Thanks guys - this is why I ask the questions! I dont know of any people who breed these in Ireland thats the problem, the only 1 or 2 I found dont have breeding plans for this year.

I had concerns about the 4 month thing too - I thought it would be quite developed at that age and would/could have issues from his surroundings.

I'll walk away and keep looking. Thanks all

Are you 100% dead set on an Amstaff puppy out of curiosity or are there some other breeds you're interested in as well? I ask because in the UK I'm not sure Amstaff's are a recognised breed, they might be unfortunately grouped with Pitbulls which are a banned breed. Not completely sure that they are recognized, someone may correct me, but I thought I would mention it regardless.

I know of a rescue where you may be able to find an Amstaff (if you're interested in going down the rescue route) or a similar crossbreed, I could message you with the name if you like. I'd point you towards a breeder but I'm not familiar with any reputable ones of this breed I'm afraid.

Milk_Tray

VonVix wrote: »

Are you 100% dead set on an Amstaff puppy out of curiosity or are there some other breeds you're interested in as well? I ask because in the UK I'm not sure Amstaff's are a recognised breed, they might be unfortunately grouped with Pitbulls which are a banned breed. Not completely sure that they are recognized, someone may correct me, but I thought I would mention it regardless.

I know of a rescue where you may be able to find an Amstaff (if you're interested in going down the rescue route) or a similar crossbreed, I could message you with the name if you like. I'd point you towards a breeder but I'm not familiar with any reputable ones of this breed I'm afraid.

Please drop me the name yeah- ideally would rather one from a pub but happy to check it out, you just never know

Knine

There are definitely some really nice Am Staffs here in Ireland. I know because I have handled them at several shows. They are a lovely breed but extremely powerful.

aonb

Knine wrote: »

There are definitely some really nice Am Staffs here in Ireland. I know because I have handled them at several shows. They are a lovely breed but extremely powerful.

I dont know Am Staffs - are they typically as nice temperment as Staffs?? We get so many Staffs at our rescue, such lovely dogs generally

VonVix

aonb wrote: »

I dont know Am Staffs - are they typically as nice temperment as Staffs?? We get so many Staffs at our rescue, such lovely dogs generally

I have met two Amstaffs, both basically giant Staffies, full of love and cuddles but absolutely no understanding for how big and heavily built they are when they come charging at you for affection.

Knine

aonb wrote: »

I dont know Am Staffs - are they typically as nice temperment as Staffs?? We get so many Staffs at our rescue, such lovely dogs generally

All those I have met & handled have lovely temperaments with people. I have gone into the show ring with dogs that did not know me beforehand. Some can be quite fiery with other dogs. Definitely not a breed you want your dog to get into a fight with. Very intelligent dogs too! They are starting to get popular in conformation classes.

mistybluehills

Knine wrote: »

All those I have met & handled have lovely temperaments with people. I have gone into the show ring with dogs that did not know me beforehand. Some can be quite fiery with other dogs. Definitely not a breed you want your dog to get into a fight with. Very intelligent dogs too! They are starting to get popular in conformation classes.

I was going to make a comment but don't see the point. The posters are uniformly against the idea. Normally there s dissenters on a forum like this but in the face of this unanimity I wouldn't travel there for a dog. Everyone can't be wrong about this!

Ms Doubtfire1

There are very good breeders of this breed in germany.
There is currently 1 female available
http://www.1astc.de/