I received this email today,

Hi

I have recently added to my pet taxi business the service of transporting puppies from breeders to new owners all over the uk. I have one breeder from Herefordshire, who is KC accredited, which has used me a couple of times and seems to think there could be a market for it.

I am fully insured and policed checked and have my own web site,(I've deleted website)
, would you be interested in using me if the need was to arise ? I am sure that the breeder that uses me already would give me a reference.

I've replied saying it's not something I'd ever use and that I expect my puppy owners to visit at least twice and collect their puppy themselves regardless of where they live.

Is this something you'd ever consider?

Not on your nelly

Well for a start you wouldn't be able to give "the talk" to the puppy buyer, in person, about feeding, training etc etc, how I'd always take a puppy back, go through the paperwork, sign contracts, explain about the food etc you are handing over -nor would you be able to change your mind about selling if the buyer turned out to be somebody really unsuitable, something which often does not come to light until you see a person and see how they behave and act around your dogs.

No way!!!!!

I wouldn't even buy a mouse sight unseen.

No for a start there are all the documents to sign.

When a long distance is involved and people have already visited, or already known in the breed, I have arranged to meet people part way, or have another breeder friend living part way help transport the puppy so that the owner didn't have such a long journey two ways.

yes agree with others, no way. Just had this conversation with a friend - I'm hoping that someone will be able to deliver a pup for me, they'll be returning home which is where another pup is going to, but whilst I know the first lot, I don't know the second and I'm expecting them to come down from Aberdeen to Durham so that I know they're ok.  I have had a pup delivered, but again from people I know and who know me...also we both knew the deliverer!  I want to know the pup is going to a good place and that they're committed...

I can't reply from a breeders point of view, but there is no way that I would send someone else to collect a pup for us. The excitement and delight of going to pick up our new family member, a day that had been planed for weeks, we would have driven to John a Groats or further if need be. I still remember the utter joy of bringing them home.

> Is this something you'd ever consider?

No.

I should coco.  Definitely a no from me.

I once had someone wanting a pup.  Emails seemed fine.  Until I was told that they didn't own a car, and would send a courier.  My answer, telling them to hire a car and come, or get a taxi, never did get a reply!

Not a chance - not for a puppy.  As someone else has said it would remove the joy of going to collect it, and I wouldn't miss that for quids.  I'd be a bit bothered about the breeder too if they thought it was acceptable.

However, there are times when I could see that a reliable, safe, insured, trustworthy dog transport service could be useful.  Sometimes when my mother in law looks after my dogs for me it might be handy not to have to do a lengthy round trip to collect them.  Although I'm completely rubbish at believing anyone else can look after my dogs as well as me but once in a blue moon, possibly, a handy alternative.

...perhaps someone should consider a minibus service for dogs and handlers to some champ shows.  Now this might get more support :)

Nope, no way, having both bought and sold puppies, I would never consider this from either side of the situation. Dog transport yes, it would be very handy (specially as all my dogsitting friends are now a 1.5 hour drive away, bit awkward when also packing for a holiday), but not puppy.

Agree, a well vetted known and trutsed transporter for animals which might be needed in certain circumstances but NEVER for a puppy.
Collecting and handing over the puppy ( and having a sniffle) is all part of having a litter. There are always last minute questions to answer etc.

A facility that is open to abuse in my opinion. 

I actually read that email as a bit of a scam one tbh (Im not sure if you know the emailer personally, if so Im sorry), I cant think of anyway easier to 'lose' a pup than to give them plus paperwork to a 'courier' to transport a precious puppy and then never turn up at the destination.  Even if the person that the pup was going to was my best friend, I would still expect them to make the effort.

Hi, I don't know this person, he just sent me the email, but he is based in the same county as me so presume he is sending it to anyone he finds listed in this area. I had a look on his website, he offers a range of other dog related services such as dog walking etc, so would think he's genuine.

I did think about contacting him again to ask how the issue of paperwork is dealt with, as he is quoting an accredited breeder as using this delivery service, but didn't think he'd reply.

As others already mentioned,i wouldn't ever consider using this service,either to sell or buy a puppy.You can never beat face to face contact,so important when gaining a first impression.

as a taxi service that 'll bring new owner to view litter and later bring new owner to collect and not have fit if new pup throws up on way home would be useful for those of us who do not drive but not as a courier minus owner.  I wouldn't buy a puppy unseen and I wouldn't buy off anyone prepared to sell one to me without meeting me.

This was his reply this morning

I think I may not have made myself clear on the part I play in the transport of the pups. I am whole hearted in agreement that new owners should meet the breeders and puppies before purchasing one. As in the first case with myself, the new owners did visit Herefordshire twice before asking me to pick up their new dog. They were first time dog owners and felt it may be too stressfull having their first experience of the new dog being a 165 mile car journey. Many new owners often mistake a puppies cries at leaving the litter for the first time as something wrong with the dog and become stressed themselves. My service takes some of the worry away from first time dog owners.

Still don't think I'd use this service.

If his service takes away some of the worry from first time owners, then imo they shouldn't even be having a puppy.
Its just not a good enough reason & i really can't think of any good reason why a new owner or breeder would use this.

I think it needs to be looked at as being a service that could be usefull depending on the circumstances.
A couple of years ago I let two pups from a litter go to Jersey (Different owners, just coinsidence both were looking at the same time) Both owners came over to meet me before the pups were due to go, we disscussed at length the travel arrangements and through some investigation found it the best for pups and owners for them to be flown direct by a courier. He specialized in transporting dogs/cats to and from the island. On the day in question I took the pups (Together) to a local airstrip..30 min drive...loaded them into the plane myself (In a large crate together) and ( As usuall...tearfully) waved them off. One hour later the new owners picked them up in Jersey and took them home 30 min trip in car. All in all they had 2 1/2 hour aprox traveling time, but if the owners had come to collect they would have been 1 hour in car to ferry 4 hours in back of car on boat then another hour or so driving the other side, all in all aprox 6 or 7 hours travelling. So Sometimes couriers work. I understand this was a little different but even so a trusted courier may be a god send sometimes. It is not a case of just letting a pup go without some thought.
Aileen