I am weighing up the pros and cons of taking on an imported saluki pup, subject of course to the outcome of whelping--the litter isn't due for another three weeks, I've been waiting about a year (but would wait as long as it takes), I can't find what I am looking for in the UK and this is a breed I have owned before, albeit 35 years ago and he was a 12 week old desert bred dog we took around the world with us. For me it is a case of this breeder or none. The breeder I am hoping to buy from is absolutely tremendous--no one could ask for greater support. I will be asking her this question too...but interested in thoughts from anyone out there who has experience of taking on an older pup of 10 months +, especially if it is a saluki. I know from experience salukis really bond with one person and tolerate others politely--there may be other breeds that feel the same. So have any of you gone through similar with this or another breed, what did you do to reduce the shock (e.g. visits abroad before bringing the pup home, introducing family including other dogs--only adults in the house, but we have 2 boisterous WSS who will by then be aged 2 1/2 and 2) and how have you got on since sharing a home? Thanks in anticipation of any advice you can share.

I have thought of imported a Dane from Denmark, the only problem is bringing in a 10 -12 mth bitch into a pack, thats my worry.

i imported a 9 month old male hound and he was so worried about the change of scene that he latched onto us far more quickly than any other hound, and we soon became his centre of attention, so I wouldnt worry about it.

Well it's not the same scenario but similar: I took back an adult male dog I'd bred when he was 18 months old. He had been extremely close to his owner and done a lot with her. He is now as close to us as he was to her, loves everyone, really happy. So it worked out just fine. My only problem still persisting is that he had an American owner and he still (after 18 months back with me) doesn't always understand my accent when I give commands LOL.

My first import was imported at 12 months having to go through 6 months of quarantine so she was 18 months when I finally got her, she was absolutely brilliant.  Second dog was 6 years old and as a dog that lived outside for the first 6 years of his life I can't believe how he soon found house living a pleasure.  Took him about 2 weeks to be house clean but now he's wonderful 5 years on.

As someone else mentioned in reality it is just getting your pup used to the dogs that you may already have.

Once again, thank you everyone for your encouraging words. Our two boys are very good with other dogs thanks to their early upbringing with their breeders so I am not worried about their acceptance of a new puppy. The older boy got over his initial slight huff very quickly and now washes the other's face when they wake up in the morning--they are virtually inseparable anfd the younger one cries whenever he has to stay home by himself even though my sons are with him to amuse him.

I imported a bitch 2 years ago of a breed that usually form very strong attatchments to their owners  - she finally came to us when she was 11 months old and just fitted in straight away - the rest of my pack just accepted her ( she has an exceptionally laid back non-confrontational temperament ) and she and I bonded almost from the beginning - I'm sure that your Saluki will have no problems fitting in either.

Yvonne

thanks Yvonne, that's good news. Some small details...did you allow them to meet for the first time in your house, or move them all to neutral territory; did you set aside private time for your new girl, or take all the dogs on together; have they eaten together from the beginning or do you feed separately?

ours were introduced one at a time to him, in the garden, off lead, the moment we got home with him. he had extra attention in that he had some lead walks (ours dont have lead walks) around the lanes so he could acclimatise a bit. All ours eat seperately.(males)

I imported a bitch last August, she was 10 months and I brought her in to a household with two male dogs and a cat. One of the male dogs can be unpredictable with other dogs.

I went over to Europe as often as I could to bond with her, this amounted to about four visits (long weekends each time). I took home made liver cake and a clicker and did a little training each time, she bonded with me on my first proper visit when she was 12 weeks and every time after that was always pleased to see me and we did some training (and fun games and walks etc.). My breed responds very positively to clicker training.

When she arrived back, we introduced the dogs on neutral ground (field), let them all run around together guaging the reaction of our boys. We kept them seperate in the house for a while when we weren't around. We also made sure the older boys did not feel neglected.

Eight months on all three dogs live in harmony (and it has been like this for sontime), our imported bitch has an excellent relationship with both myself and my husband.

Our breeders were excellent, in as much as they socialised her well and continued a little of the training that I did with her each time. I also picked a bitch from parents with sound temperaments, and looked at the characters of the various puppies when I was choosing which one at seven weeks.

Anyway, we have found the whole thing very worthwhile and are very pleased with the outcome.

Good luck.

Yvonne

Again, thanks to everyone for your time and support, I will try to build on all these suggestions (starting now with researching cheap flights over to meet the puppy before he comes!). I know this next year will pass quickly, and as there are two litters due we may just be lucky!