Has anyone got any experience importing from usa? I have been in touch with a breeder for the last 2 years and am hoping to import a bitch at the end of the year.My close friend imported a beautiful bitch from germany but usa is much further away and id like to know what effect it would have on the puppy travelling so far before i start the ball rolling. Thanks

Yes, over the years we have brought quite a few over here, and sent some the other way too.  The only problem we ever have had is not to do wiht the travelling, as they have all been untroubled by the journey, but convincin the USA end that the passport paperwork has to be filled in exaclty as per instrucitons, and that each step must be in the right order and timing adhered to for microchipping, vaccination, blood test etc.

just a question...i know they have passports, but dont they still have to go into quarrantine aswell.

I understand the main problem is sloppy paperwork.
Someone I know was warned when he embarked and even though he knew he was held up by this. Signing and dating of everything is imperative.
There are approved routes, and it is very possible, with the dog I know having no ill effects, in fact a huge sucess story.
Karen

Yes I have just brought two dogs in from USA one from Florida the other from Carolina,no problems with either they travelled fine and were non the worse for their journey 

just a question...i know they have passports, but dont they still have to go into quarrantine aswell.

No.

My advice would be to check and re check the paper work. Then check it again.  Thats the thing that stuck in my memory more than anything else.

i have exported a puppy to Sheboygan,WI in america.she had to be measured weighed and have a certain jab ect but the place i took her done all that for me.it was cheaper than using my vets and i knew everything that needed to be done was done correctly.
when pup arrived i was informed she was fine and had no problems at the other end.
i do miss her

i suppose its who you deal with isnt it.

How long did it take from when the pup was born until he/she arrived in the states? I am very excited but extremely wary too,its a big step to take.

> How long did it take from when the pup was born until he/she arrived in the states? I am very excited but extremely wary too,its a big step to take.

Kenzi, the process of exporting from is very different from importing to.  By the time you have gone through all the pet passport requirements the minimum age is about 10 months I think - someone who has done it more recently will probably remember better.  The DEFRA website has all the details.  As I said before, the most important thing is to impress upon the breeder that it is vital that she lets her Vet know the pjorcedure must be followed and documented exactly as the paperwork says, we have found that unless the breeder and vet is familiar with our system they don't appreciate that there is no room for error or deviating from what is required.  I know  several dogs who have made it to Heathrow ( or in the case of coming from Europe to Calais) and then been refused entry, so had to go back to country of origin.  Timewise, there is very little difference in briging a pup in on a pet passport and doing quarantine, but the passort is a lot more comfy for the dog , I think.  Providing the breeder is happy to keep the pup for the required length of time they can be socialised and start the show career - even get their USA Ch title before coming over.

Yes Gwens right, two very different processes. When importing from anywhere, the dog is a minimum of 10 months old and the paper work has to be spot on or else the dog either goes back or is taken to quarantine.

We had this happen in our breed a dog came in from Norway and his chip couldn't be found (he also had an ear tattoo which was on his pet passport).

He had to go back to Norway and the whole process took another 8 months, by which time he was nearly 7, 18 months after the time it was decided to bring him here.

Sorry for all the questions but my 12 year old daughter actually brought this subject up,how long will it take for a dog to adjust living with new owners after being with the breeders since the day they were born.The breeder i have in mind is willing to keep the puppy in the family home( am delighted about that  as i didnt want pup kennelled) and will be doing everything i wouldve done during the puppy stages but wont the pup bond with her,will it be confusing for the puppy? 10 months is a long time for a little pup to be with someone so how do they cope?

I too am hoping to import and hoping too that the exporter will get the paperwork right.  I was heartened by taking on a pup at 8months and having her settle and bond with me very well.  I have heard of imported dogs not settling as well.  It may depend on their former lives and perhaps how they're helped when they arrive.  I gave my girl lots of time to settle before starting to train (we do agility) and in fact she's not competing yet, but is doing very well.

i think this is what your asking, she was allowed to travel at 12 weeks.no earlier.but like has been said i know its different for importing as i spoke to  the new owner of my pup about having a pup back from my pup.(get me lol) if she done well out there.and she is  (((((big grin)))))
but thats not the point sorry cant help but be proud of my baby doing so well lol..