Importing pups- any experience?

[EllieBeast]

Has anyone here had any post brexit experience of bringing a pup over from Europe? Our breed of choice is very thin on the ground in the UK, we’re hoping to get a pup from our chosen breeder here but are looking at other options too in case things don’t work out.

I think my main worry (apart from the language barrier ?) is that after all the required jabs, the pup wouldn’t be able to travel to us until it’s around 15 weeks old. By that time we’d have missed a good chunk of key socialisation time.

Any experience welcome, like I say- I hope we will find a pup in this country and the right dog is so worth waiting for. Just that tiny impatient part of my brain that’s thinking of the alternatives ?

 

[Clodagh]

As regards socialisation, assuming you choose a pup bred by someone you trust I wouldn’t worry. I got Scout at 16 weeks, ish, and he knew nothing but he’s absolutely fine. He ignores strange people and other dogs, which is perfect for me. So I’ve never imported but I wouldn’t worry about social skills.

 

[blackcob]

Following for info as it's something I am considering - although the breeder is booked well into 2024, in a breed with tiny litters, so chances are against us ?

Weirdly the socialisation aspect is the bit that worries me least. The breeder is specifically producing for sport and temperament, so I can see the evidence from the previous litters that what they are doing works. I've also met an imported pup from a previous litter who was absolutely solid. They use the Puppy Culture program, interestingly.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Yeah a few friends of mine have imported from DE recently, TRACES can be a bit of a faff and transport in general can be another issue, are you planning to travel over yourself or use a courier?
There are three dogs in my training group that have come from the same kennel in DE (different ages/different litters) they were kept there for the required time, all bold, unflappable pups. Breeder was sending videos constantly of where she was taking them/what she was doing with them.
A lot of that stuff (ability to deal with new sighs, sounds, smells/recovery from stress) is genetic IME.
A good breeder will usually accept direction as regards feeding and early training/what you want them to do with a pup, within reason.

 

[druid]

Doable and 15 weeks doesn't bother me. My next litter has dogs going to UK and Australia so pups will be here for 15 weeks plus, if rbeeder is good and lines are good it doesn't worry me.

I presume the litter I put my name down for doesn't click with what you want line wise? Or that's too long to wait?

 

[EllieBeast]

Thanks so much for everyone’s input, plenty of food for thought. Like has been said, if the breeder was decent enough then the 15 weeks wouldn’t be an issue

Druid- not at all, that litter would tick all my boxes. I’d like something sooner if possible, and I’m hoping there may be another litter here sooner, but the right dog is definitely worth waiting for.
This post was more a musing for the impatient part of my brain, it’s unlikely to be a route that we go down. But I did wonder how people cope with the logistics

 

[P3LH]

Doable as long as coming from the right breeder. The breeder of my Pembroke bitch runs boarding kennels but also animal transport services and brings pups/young adults in generally for show breeders as a bread n butter situation. I would think about it if I wanted another rough collie I think.