Hi guys,
I am hopefully in the summer going to have a new puppy but I want some advice as we are acquiring the puppy from Hertfordshire and we live in Belfast. The breeder never allows her puppies to leave the UK mainland understandably as she likes to know where they are in the event of something going wrong with their new homes. I have got to know this breeder through showing and we have built up a good relationship as she has seen my dogs in the ring and knows how much I adore them. Thankfully she is allowing us one of her babies but we both want to find the best way of getting the puppy back to Belfast without too much stress. Would it be wiser to vaccinate the puppy first, only then I am missing out on vital socialisation time? Or collect the puppy at 8 weeks drive the whole way to Scotland(with breaks) and get the one hour ferry to Belfast? I would appreciate any help and my breeder is consulting other breedres who have let puppies go across seas.Thanks, Clare

Definitely collect the pup at 8 wks old and then drive/ferry back.  I hope your breeder allows this. 

Thanks onetwothree, I think so too.

I would definitely go for the 8 weeks option I sent a puppy to the Isle of Man at the smae age & he was fine LOL they nearly had him stolen from the by the crew on the ferry mind ;)

On the other hand I have sent older puppies to Germany by air & on the ferry(after the rabies shot)& becuase I had socialized them they were fine too but 8 weeks is better

I've brought pups from/to Larne in the ferry and it's no bother. If you wait and vaccinate you can still bring the pup on the deck of the slow ferries, but I don't think you can bring in inside (might be wrong on that) Whatever, it makes for a longer journey. I'd get the pup at 8 weeks and tuck it up in a nice comfy vari-kennel for what is, after all, just a one hour trip on the fast ferry. You aren't supposed  to be allowed on the car deck during the journey but I've found if you look pleading and say how worried you are about this sweet baby pup, you will be allowed to look down mid-journey. If my experience is anything to go by, the pup will sleep the whole way.

One of my pups went there last year.  She did have a wedding over here first and loved her few days with all the family but then they went home via the ferry. 

She left mine at 7 week, best time for my breed and was as happy as Larry.  Didn't have any adverse affect on her and I know the owner still happy with her, as I'm sure Shaynlola will verify :d

Thnaks for the replys guys, I just want to plan ahead as the summer will soon be upon us quick enough and I want to be ready. They are already advertising cream eggs on Corrie

I can absolutely verify that perrodeagua's pup is none the worse for her journey. In fact, she's one of the most confident, well-adjusted little dogs I've ever had the pleasure to meet. And to say the owner is happy with her might be somewhat of an understatement :D :D Which is a shame as I'd be more than happy to take the pup of her hands if she wasn't :D

I know quite a few people in N.I who've brought pups over from the mainland at 7-8 weeks of age and don't know of anyone having any problems :)

Cheers Shaynlola!

Thanks for that Shaynlola :d

Hi
I sold a puppy to N. Ireland last summer -and we took him ourselves as that way we got to see his new home (they already had a dog of mine so I got to meet him again as well!). We travelled to Cairnryan (not as far as from Herts, it took us 6 hrs) and took the ferry over to Larne and it was no problem at all. I was a bit worried about the ferry part seeing as the dogs have to be unattended in the cars, but it was fine. We made sure to allow plenty of time for the journey so that we could stop now and then. The only slight problem I found was that at just over 8 weeks of course the pup wasn't used to a collar and lead yet, with hindsight I'd have got him used to that in advance. But really all went just fine.

The first pup that went to the same home we sent by air and he was fine too, but I much preferred this way as we were with the pup.

Thanks for that Goldmali. Its nice knowing that it can be done and others have done it before me with success!! Thanks again, Clare

Hi Claire sooooooooo excited for you, send me some pics when you do get her.

Speak soon luv Sue

Will do Susie!!! Love Clare