Hi Guys,

A good friend of mine is keen on the idea of importing an Akita from the USA. She is trying to gather as much info as possible before setting her sights too high, if anyone has any experience of this It would be great to hear about your views etc.

X

Hi
Dogs can be imported from varrying countries using the PETs procedure if you privat mail me i can send you a list of those countries and the authorised travel routes and companies,you can also get this information on the DEFRA website.
basicly -
1.the puppy must first be micro chipped
2. month later rabies vaccination given
3. month later antibody blood test taken (this must be sent to a DEFRA approve lab)
4. a certifiacate issued showing the dog is carring sufficient antibodies (if the test is failed the previous steps must be repeated)
5. 6 months after the test result is given the dog can travel in using a  Defra approved route.
the dog must also be trated for ticks and fleas ect by a approved vet between 24 and 48 hours of being processed by the animal collection centre at heathrow or gatwick.
This meands the "puppy" will be at least 10 months on arriving in the uk.
Alterintively a dog can be put into six months quarantine and can travel at 10 weeks plus but i would advice the puppy was older as it is a long flight from the USA.
i hope this helps :)

edited to add -the vaccinating vet must also give you a Pets 1 form or the new pets passport when all the test results are back.

Importing dogs from the U.S. is becoming routine, as long as your friend follows the regulations she will have no problems.

Apart from that, I would advise your friend that she should see the dog that is being imported first, if she's not acquiring the dog from someone she knows and fully trusts.  It would be very disappointing to import a dog and not have it been worth the trouble, if you know what I mean.

Stacey

If you run a search on this subject you will find lots of threads offering information.