Hey guys!

I've been looking for a pet Shiba Inu for a while, and came across a listing on Pets4Homes of someone selling their 4 month old female Shiba. I drove down to arrange a viewing and was able to see the dog. She looked healthy, with plenty of garden space, kids around her, and balls and toys to play with. It looked all great from the get-go!

However, when I asked the seller more questions, he showed me the dog's medical card, and pulled out her passport too. I was immediately worried, as I don't tend to trust imported dogs, but I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt! So they walked me through the passport and the medical card showing the dog's rabies vaccine, and various stamps along with the details of the doctor who chipped and examined her. She was brought from Budapest as a "gift" to the seller's child for her birthday. Everything seemed fine with the dog's living conditions and they were calm and collected around the children and us. Except, the dog is "shy for new people" and "needs a few days to get used to them".

The seller kept changing the deadline of when they were needing to get rid of her, the story being that they were starting university in London and would not be able to care for her. They only brought up the fact that they had other viewings arranged when I seemed less than keen to put a deposit down there and then. They also refused to take a deposit through Pets4Homes service, and would only take direct bank transfer. When I mentioned that I need time to think about it, they began to say that I could collect the dog as soon as tomorrow and they needed me to make a decision fast as university was on "tuesday." It just really seemed off to me and I didn't like it.

Looking back, I'm worried that the dog was purchased in a Budapest puppy farm and imported here with others to be sold. I have no way to prove this or make sure, and the dog's vaccinations, medical records and everything lined up. Aside from the fact it was chipped outside of the UK.

For breeders, was this the correct decision? Or was I overthinking the "university" reason? I just went with my gut.

I'd say you made the right decision.

A way from your question which as you can see more ans mode people are agreeing yoi did the right thing habe you looked in the breeder section here ?
Currently there is a litter being advertised although they may all be reserved but if you contact breeders and the breed club yo will be able to her into a responsible breeders list for.the future . You may have a long wait but woth the right  reeder and subsequent litter it will be worth it

Absolutely We are in contact with a variety of breeders to try and get a good timeline/budget for a Shiba Inu puppy, and what would be the best option for us.

If the puppy is only 4 months old it's only been in the country a couple of weeks. They can't have a rabies vaccine till they're 3 months old and then have to wait 3 weeks before they can be imported. It sounds as if these people are basically agents selling puppy-farmed puppies with a guise of legitimacy. No wonder the pup is 'shy with new people' - it doesn't know whether it's coming or going. I feel your gut instinct is absolutely spot on and you've done the right thing by walking away.

I agree, it sounds very dodgy to me.

That said, I do want to point out that Shibas don’t tend to be the most stranger-friendly dog in general, and much prefer to be with people they know well. But a 4 month old Shiba already displaying that trait to that extreme is a red flag to me.

There are some very good breeders of Shibas here in the UK. I wouldn't be looking at anyone selling on that other site. Go through the breed club for reputable breeders. I know 1 personally and they have fantastic dogs, get on a waiting list and be prepared to pay good money for a well bred puppy

I agree with Jeangenie. Puppies can only be imported to the UK at 15wks so why would someone go to the trouble and expense of importing a pup at 15wks and then one week later sell the pup...? Can you see a date on when the ad was placed online?

The pup was probably puppy farmed and imported with others at 15wks to be sold on.

I've just seen the advert and it states she can be seen with her mother! No doubt it's all lies and you most definitely did the right thing.

Defernatly did the right thing. Sounds like they may be a dealer who imports in puppies to sell on.

At the bottom of the add there is an option to report a seller if you have concerns it's been irresponsibly bred. At the very least you can complain that the mother wasn't visible as it says on the ad.