We will probably be importing our next pup from Europe.

One of the things I'm concerned about, is that our breed is very much a working breed and in most European countries would be kennelled outdoors by hardcore working folk.  If we buy a pup from a breeder there, it couldn't be brought into the UK till 15wks due to rabies jab and Pet Passport situation. 

I'm then worried about the pup not being socialised to anything beyond a rural environment and kennel and the dogs the breeder happens to have.  It might all be fine and the pup be resilient - or it might not be, but I'd want to try to reduce the risk of under-socialisation, if possible.

One idea I have is to attempt to organise our lives so we can pick pup up at 8wks and then effectively rent a place in Europe for 6/7 wks, socialising pup ourselves there.  If everything lines up in our working lives, this might be possible - lining up with the age of pup and litter as well is going to be tricky. 

The other thing I wondered, is if there is/are services in Europe whereby people who want to import a pup can have their pup looked after by someone there who will socialise the pup, toilet train, crate train and do all that essential early stuff.  I thought this might be something which British ex-pats have perhaps started a business doing, or some doggie folk out there who like pups...? 

If there isn't anything like that, do you think there's a demand for a service like that?  Quite fancy moving to France myself. :)

Where in Europe are you getting your pup. I may be able to help you.

I don't know yet, as I'm thinking ahead a few years.  Probably eastern Europe.

There was a woman who was offering this service and lived in France.  She had a website at www.importingapup.info - but the website is down, so perhaps she's not doing it any longer.  I think there is a big demand for this kind of service though.

There was when there was a 6 month waiting period but not now with it being just 3 weeks. 

Surely if asked the breeder would socialise the pup as you would wish?  If they know it's going to be a house dog. 

Certainly I don't think you'd have much remedial work to do if you got the pup at 16 weeks, and they had at least been doing something with it for 8 weeks. 

The proof of how well they rear their dogs and socialise them would be in the adult dogs, If they are well adjusted socialised individuals then the pups ought to be too.

Having a complete stranger then look after the pup may actually be no better than the breeders idea of socialisation based on what several friends found when they paid for such services and visited their dogs during the waiting period (it was like a cross between boarding kennels and home boarding).  These were Dobermans.

Yes I know, your last point is one I'd worry about - obviously I'd have to be reassured enough that they were getting more than they would be from the breeder.

Yes, you're right about the adult dogs - but the thing is, what the adults seem to be like at their own house doesn't show me what they're like in an urban environment, in the car, at a party and so on...  I'd only know they are ok in the environment they've lived all their life in.  And this pup, for purposes of bloodlines and breeding, isn't going to be a litter I can just go 'oh well, I'll get one from somewhere else then' - it won't come along very often. 

Yes, I would of course ask the breeder to socialise - but their idea of socialisation, and mine, would probably differ.  And the environment at the breeder's (rural kennels) and my own (urban life) are very different.

It's not just 3 weeks either:  It's between 8wks and 15wks - so it's 7 weeks.

I was referring to the waiting period after vaccination, but to be honest I have just realised that would not work either as they don't allow pups under three months into France, and the three week wait would apply on top for the Rabies vaccination.

They do allow unvaccinated pups into Holland (but you'd have to check countries on route entry rules, or fly pup to Holland.

In some ways you'd be better off to put the pup into Quarantine for it's waiting period over here where you could visit it several times a week.

I have bought a pup from a country environment into my busy city one at 11 1/2 weeks absolutely no issues as after all I didn't start heavy socialisation until after vaccinations.

Have also had a pup of 9 weeks spend 6 months in quarantine and come out bomb proof, able to cope with busy show environment and crowds only 3 days later.  He is now 11 and has lived both a country life, stayed here with me and lived in a flat in London.

If you are certain the parents temperaments (I'd want to see them off base, at shows or trails and/or just out for a shopping trip) are solid then there is no reason for a pup to be disadvantaged by 16 weeks.

That is an interesting idea about quarantine, Brainless.  I thought that was defunct by now, what with the PP scheme.  I like it that I could visit with lots of loud and noisy things, CDs and essentially anything I could carry in there!  Do they allow dogs in quarantine to play/socialise with each other? 

Yes, I'd realised the same thing about France and that it was possible in Holland.  (See other old thread I just commented on.)  Do you know which other European countries are more relaxed about it?

There is a breeder in Holland we're interested in, too.  Perhaps that is the better idea; an extended summer holiday in Holland.  Just... what are the chances of the timing working out for us to be able to take time off for 7wks and live in Europe... sigh.  Perhaps it will have to be either the breeder or quarantine...

No you'll not be able to have a pup interact with any other dogs other than a dog/pup it comes in with sharing the same kennel. 

You will have to sign in and be locked into the kennel where your dog is.

Whether Quarantine kennels still carry on depends on whether the owners think ti feasible. 

I spoke to Overhill, and they still have their Q facilities open, the kennels are 8 x 5 feet with 20 x 8 feet runs, which is larger than the law requires.

I used to take a wind up radio in with me, some toys etc,  and also did some training during my visits, so he already was used to being on lead, how to be gone over, groomed and to trot etc as for the ring.  This was for 6 months.  The costs are not much different to normal boarding, other than the carriage from port/airport and vet etc.

Ok thanks Brainless.  I think I'd probably leave pup with the breeder rather than do quarantine - likely he will experience more new things and for sure more other dogs, than he would in quarantine kennels.

Rabid please reply to Alisongold She willpossibly be able to assist you

Hi - Reply to her where?  Do you mean above here on this thread?  I did...

My pup came to me at 4 months. He was from a large litter and lived with other adult dogs in a large,idyllic rural property. They did some off based socialising (say a day at the market) but basically stayed home in their lovely location, though with lots of visitors. Day 1 of pup coming into my city life with busy roads etc and he was petrified but it didn't take him long at all (couple of days) to ignore cars, other dogs, lots of people. :)