I would like to get a puppy from Cumbria but am based in Wales and have no way of getting there. Have waited along time for this puppy.
Has anyone used couriers before and what did you think of them?

What does the breeder think?  I don't think I'd be happy sending a puppy via a courier. 

Have you seen this puppy? Do you know the breeder personally? If not, don't buy from someone who'll sell a puppy to a total stranger they've never met.

Why not go by train?

Well the couriers we always use tend to lose lots of things, so if it is an ordinary courier DON'T DO IT!
You could have him delivered by taxi - but as JG says, if you have not met the breeder before and they are willing to send a puppy by courier then stay away!

I don't drive and for many years was married to a husband who didn't drive either. I never bought any pup locally, they always came from far away, and I found it was always possible to find a friend/acquaintance that was prepared to drive me to get the pup as long as they were paid for it (at least the petrol costs) -and on one occasion we even had to hire a car for a friend to drive. A lot of people love a day out to view pups.

Have to agree with others though -I would not buy from a breeder who was prepared to courier me a pup without having met me (and I having met them and their dogs), nor would I sell a pup like that.

Train?    If you book in advance the tickets are always more reasonable, that's how I did it before buying my first Munster - East Scotland to Worcestershire!

Either train or find a lift from a very nice friend/family member.

I don't think I could ever trust someone to bring a pup to me at such a young age going away from it's mother for the first time.

Unless you were using an animal-specific courier service, such as those which ship animals abroad, I wouldn't be happy - you could be using someone who knows sugar-all about puppies.   

Far cheaper I think, to travel by train yourself - or pay a trusted dog-knowledgeable member of family or friend to do it for you.

Margot

there is an animal courier who i once contacted about bringing my import from eastern europe....however his breeder was not happy about it and so i am collecting him myself now! If you want their details let me know,but i have to say as a breeder myself, I would not let a puppy go such a comparatively short distance with a courier because if the owner couldnt be bothered to make the trip themselves then they would not be getting one of my puppies!!

I am couriering [ is that a word??.....lol] a puppy from here to Brazil for a breeder who cant do it herself, its less than half the price fore someone to travel with the pup than it go alone as cargo,so i get a free 12 days in Brazil..yippeeee......not that it helps the original posters question really but there are doggie wise people who do this sort of thing as a pass time i believe as long as all expenses are covered............
Pauline

I did that with a cat once! Took it from the UK to a friend in Sweden, got a week at home to visit friends in the bargain. :)