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ewoodleekayl, seedrty

Shipping a Puppy
from a breeder
Found [16] Posts :: Page 1 of 1
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Posted: 12:43:28 AM 7/4/2009
Hi. I was wondering about shipping a puppy from e.g. Pennsylvania to California. Does anyone have experience with that? How stressful is it for the puppy? Which service do I use? How does it work? And how much is it? I'm happy to pay a bit more for better service (for not giving the puppy too much of a hard time) but since I have no experience with that whatsoever, is there an average I have to calculate with?
Thank you:-)

PS I'm sorry if I repeat a topic, I couldn't find one that was similar. I hope it is fine.
ruffian
Posted: 12:48:32 AM 7/4/2009
This all information the breeder should know, IMO, but you need to talk to the airlines. Being the middle of summer you are unlikely to find an airline that will ship in cargo.
http://dragcave.net/user/Ruffian
oxfordbostons
Posted: 12:53:47 AM 7/4/2009
Well, there are mixed feelings on this topic but we all have opinions. I personally do not ship any puppies. Others on here do and from what I've read they have good success. I just know of at least 2 people who have been scammed and I don't want to take that risk. (Very nice breeder friend of mine shipped a puppy and the buyer didn't "like" him so wanted to return. She agreed and lo and behold, she received a totally different dog and no registration papers.)

I like for parents to come to my home so that I can see how they react to the puppy, how comfortable they feel holding him or her.

I also like to get my payment in cash in person so I can mark the money. Yes, I have had someone pay with fake bills before so I bought a $2.99 pen to mark with.

I think around here, the closest airport is Atlanta and it is around $275-$395, depending on destination. You have to have a health certificate and vaccine record from your vet as well as an air travel approved crate.

Hope this helps!
Best of luck!
Friends will step in when the rest of the world steps out.
sassyone
Posted: 1:33:51 AM 7/4/2009
The breeder should be able to answer most of the questions regarding the airline and airports as they will be familiar with what is available in their area. Air travel is quite safe and a reasonably socialized puppy will handle the trip quite well.

However, I don't want to make it sound like you should treat the breeder like a criminal but do use common sense and get things in writing, health guarantee's in writing, request a unique picture, be sure to ask questions about the sire and dam, lots of pictures of puppy, sire, dam and maybe reference the registration numbers of the parents. Basically all the same things you would do if picking up in person but just make double sure you do these things. You may know this breeder well already but just incase. Shipping is done every day and every where. I would rather ship a puppy to me from a reputable breeder than buy one from a BYB or puppymill down the street. I have shipped puppies out and have had them shipped to me with wonderful results. There are some bad stories out there so make sure to have your bases covered to help prevent one from happening to you.
Posted: 1:40:49 AM 7/4/2009
Thanks so much for all the replies, very helpful:-) Yes, I guess the breeders will know about the terms, but to double check:) and to see how neutral people think of shipping, I figured I rather ask here. It would be my first time buying a dog in the U.S.
Again, thank you so much:-)
Posted: 2:06:37 AM 7/4/2009
I personally don't like shipping, but many people do it. However, if you are going to ship the pup, it's imperative that you check the breeder out completely. What's so special about their dogs that it makes them worth shipping, are they top show dogs, extremely health, do they compete in a particular sport? Also PA is puppymill central, so I would be even more cautious. (There are great breeders in PA and puppymillers in every state.) Have you checked w/ the National Breed club to see if there's a breeder closer to you?
Posted: 2:31:10 AM 7/4/2009
To defend the actual "breeder":-) I probably wasn't clear with that. It's me who wants the special puppy. I've been talking to 4 people across the country, who have the dogs I want (a Jack Russell Pinscher mix) I've had this mix before twice, one died when she was 15, and one died in a car accident. I'm not trying to replace my dog, but find this a really good mix (especially character wise) I'm open to similar mixes though, and am of course keeping on looking locally, too.
I would prefer to get one around here (NorCal) but this mix is fairly rare. I'm looking now since 6 months.

I totally appreciate all the opinions:-) And agree, no puppy mills. I'm very careful with that. I more posted because I'm from Europe, and don't have experience with a) shipping dogs and b)buying a dog in the U.S.
Thanks so much. I keep on reading, it's very helpful:-)
lpn169
Posted: 3:22:29 AM 7/4/2009
Unfortunately, your 'no puppy mill ' rule you just broke when you decided to buy from someone who mixes breeds for profit, IMO.

I personally do not ship, and have never had a dog shipped to me.
But do know many who do ship and have had good success with the few horror stories as you will get with anything.

Ask the 'breeder' (use the term loosely in this case) to take a picture of the puppy with a piece of paper with your name or something specific written on it so that you will know the puppy exists and is not a old or stolen picture.



Love generously,

Care deeply,

Speak kindly.......

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.

It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Posted: 3:57:10 AM 7/4/2009
@lpn169: That's a really good advice, thank you (the piece of paper)

I'm trying to avoid the puppy mill by asking lots of questions about the dogs surroundings, if I can see pictures, etc. I had one guy offering me that he can "get me the mix I'm looking for if I give him time". I did not take it. Probably that's why it takes me so long to find "my" dog.
Foremost the dog should feel like my dog:-) That's most important, and that's why I'm so picky.
But you guys are all right, it's probably best to meet the dog (and the "breeder") first, maybe even especially when it is a mixed one. So I guess another option would be to fly there in person, if it seems like a promising match:-)
Thanks to all of you.

Edit: I'm actually more trying to find an "accidental" (hope that's the word:) mix, my first 2 ones were, not a breeder who mixes for profit.
But I'm getting the sense that puppy mills aren't as rare as I naively thought. Just because one would think that there are not many people buying puppies there, thus it is not profitable.
illusionminis
Posted: 9:34:12 AM 7/4/2009
The fact that you are looking for a mix, and not a purebred from a potential reputable breeder, I would fly to them and pick up the dog. A small mix like that you can have a carry on in a sherpa bag. If you book the flight well in advance, you can probably get a good deal on it.

As far as shipping the pup, I have done it several times. I even shipped my adult out to Washington state to be bred (I'm in Pa.). Everything went fine. The dogs due fine, I have not had a puppy stressed out at all. one messed in her crate through. I take a baggie of supplies to the airport with me, it contains a fresh towel, a plasic bag to put paper in if the pup messed, baby wipes for a quick bath if icky, water and bowl. It has worked great.

Just FYI, if you are getting a mixed breed from Pa. It is comming from a puppy mill. We just had 2 busted in the last 6months. We are the puppy mill capital of the world, you have no idea how hard it was getting good breeders to send me pups with full registration. If it is comming from Lancaster, it IS a puppy mill, that is where most of them are. I doubt you are getting a pup from an accidental breeding.
BIG HEARTS IN A SMALL PACKAGE
Posted: 11:29:28 AM 7/4/2009
If I were you I would stick with rescue groups or do some research on the breeds that make up that mix (and some other terrier and toy breeds) and pick one. I agree with LPN, you are very unlikely to find any decent breeder that sells mixes.
sassyone
Posted: 11:55:13 AM 7/4/2009
Your probably not going to find the benefits of a reputable breeder searching for a breeder of a mixed breed. If you want a dog with the benefits of a breeder I would suggest looking for a breed that is similar to the mix you are looking for. May I make a suggestion? Rat Terrier's I think are similar and might even have been founded partly on the breeds your looking for. They have alot of the combined characteristics. There are plenty of good breeders of Rat Terrier's, I know one who even OFA's hers on top of other testing and I almost guarantee you she is cheaper than most mix breed breeders.
angelpugs
Posted: 11:59:59 AM 7/4/2009
I agree with you as there have been alot of puppmills either closed or brought up on charges,these are happening around that area and many other places as well.You should be very careful,as you don't know for sure if this is a puppmill most are out there,so be very alert and check things out,ask questions or get names and check those out also,this could be a puppymill,be careful.
riley1
Posted: 12:09:38 PM 7/4/2009
Is adopting an idea for you? There are so many mixed breeds out in shelters and rescues that need homes. I think that may be a better option for you. You don't have to pay for shipping, and you can see and play with it in person, and figure out if it is the right dog for you. I had a mix breed from a shelter when I was younger, and he was a great friend! Plus he lived to almost 19 years! Not every great dog comes from a breeder, they come from rescues too.
Sanimallover
Posted: 10:20:57 PM 7/8/2009
I would personally not ship a pup. It can be very stressful for them at a young age. Try finding a pup that is closer to you, possibly a driving distance. Or even look for places near a relative. Next time they come up you could ask them to pickup the puppy on the way. Please, don't ship the puppy. It is quite stressful. But if you have no choice...
Best of luck!
Retired sire/dam or not, no animal should be sold because they can not breed anymore. They'd kill joy of breeding for love.
Posted: 3:04:40 AM 7/26/2009
there are services offered that don't fly. We have used a ground service that picks up the dog and they drive them there.
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