I have decided to purchase a greyhound showbred puppy in the next year - two years.

I have been in touch with a few breeders and will be going to Crufts to check some lovely dogs out in person (or should that be 'in dog').

Anyway, I will have to travel to get the pup, most likely from somewhere in Central Europe. Does anyone know what sort of prices i would be looking at to import a pup -and to purchase one in the first place? I am happy to spend to ensure  I get a healthy, happy pup from a reputable breeder.

Would you not prefer to get one bred in the UK? Would allow you to visit it and watch the litter grow up, a nice experience for you and your puppy. If it was me I would feel more comfortable purchasing a puppy within the UK and getting to know some UK breeders.

Ideally yes but as I'm from Ireland it still will/would involve travel. I have looked and asked but seems most breeders are in Europe for the breed at the moment and the ones in the UK are not breeding currently. Hopefully I'll find out more at Crufts.

Have you tried Anne Gilpin? Don't have a contact for her but I think she is still showing in Eire and should be able to help you.

Thanks Nova! Interestingly enough I contacted a German breeder who told me about Anne Gilpin today, I'd never heard of her somehow!!

Also there is a breeder with very nice dogs in Scotland.  Our Lexi fell in love with h's white boy at the POTY final in 2005, and have always said hi to him and his dogs ever since.  He won BIS at I think Three counties a few years ago, will go off and try to remember his name.

Here is the picture of Lexi's pal http://www.ourdogs.co.uk/newsletters/issue100.htm E McKnight & J Robertson Azrams 

Scotland does very well for top quality greyhounds :-)  as well as Jerry and Lizs Azrams we have Barbara and Ian and the Mistweave greyhounds :-)

Thanks guys this is just the info I need!

As this will be my first ever purchase of a show dog would I be right in thinking I am better to go with a very well known long established kennel?

BTW if anyone has an email contact for Mistweave or Azrams could they please let me know?

The thing you need to remember with show greyhounds is that very few are bred.  65 puppies registered in 2010 and only 14 last year.

The breeders really only breed (because of the huge numbers bred wastefully by the racing industry) when they want their next puppy to show, and often keep several from the litter, probably as there is little call for greyhound puppies for the pet market.

So you need to get onto a breeders waiting list.  Looking at pedigrees I would expect breeders 'in the breed' co-operate with each other quite extensively (and internationally) to keep the show liens afloat.  With the breed being so healthy they are doing a very good job with what little they have.

Here is the breed club one of the best places to start and joining would be a great idea: http://www.thegreyhoundclub.co.uk/index.html

Ah yes I know that and I'm in no rush either so I'm happy to go on a list and wait it out :)

I like Greyhounds generally but really like the size and elegance of the show ones, so it's a pity due to the overbreeding and welfare issues involved with the Racing bred dogs, that the show people have to limit their breeding to almost nothing. :(

Hi Inka,

the Barnesmore kennels in Northern Ireland breed greyhounds AND import them.  If nothing else they may give you info. on importing, but they do have some lovely dogs and are a big kennel so may have a shorter waiting list than most? 

Thank you Saffron I know of the Barnesmore kennel but didn't realise they bred as well as exhibited!They have some beautiful dogs. I will get in touch with them most likely but to be honest I have been told of a litter which, all going well, will be due at a time that suits me and from a breeder that also suits me so I am hoping  can go on the waiting list with them :)

Good luck, hope to get to see you over here for some of the shows.  I know usually a couple of exhibitors will club together to come in a van from Ireland for UK shows.

One well worth coming for is The Hound Association at the beginning of August.