I have had two separate enquiries from outide Europe to buy one of my week old chocolate labrador bitch puppies. My gut feel tells me that I shouldn't get involved - not because they don't seem to be very nice people, and I have spoken to one of them on the phone ..... but I don't actually know them, or where the pups would be going to.  Also I am getting 'mixed messages' about them wanting show potential dogs (when no-one can guarantee that) and when I say that the pups available are for family pets then they say that is fine.
Question is - am I right to avoid this like the plague which is my instinct, or am I being unfair? !!! (No offence to the people who want them is intended!)
(last year I had an enquiry from Thailand which I completely ignored....!)

Any guidance, advice, comments on my general dimwittedness about this are very welcome!  I would be happy to PM more details if necessary

ide go with your  gut feelings,if your not happy with the people taking a pup then dont rehome 1 to them! :) youle only worry even more about the pup wen its gone. :)

Even if you have no desire to export, manners should make you reply to this enquiry.  They may be totally genuine and waiting on a reply from you.   I have several enquiries about my breed each year and although I rarely have a litter I will always take the time to explain a little about the breed, it's negative & positive aspects and then I will give them our club secretary's/puppy list co-ordinator address if they wish to further an enquiry.    99% of the time I don't even receive a mere thanks for replying!

Hi
Yes I have replied to both enquiries several times - I did say that I had even spoken to one of the people concerned.  My worry is that I could get in over my head as I know nothing about exporting animals, about why someone would want to take an animal from the UK as opposed to getting one in their own country etc - it's lack of experience & confidence about the idea rather than lack of manners towards the individuals!! :0) )
Just a bit of advice on the right considerations to take into account (apart from all the ones I would ask a UK based person) I suppose - both already own a labrador and have sent pictures. Good idea about giving them the Club Secretary's details. Thanks!

How were these people refferred to you.  Were they recommended? If so could you not ask who gave them your details?? It is always diificult. If they have a Labrador already perhaps you can find out whether they purchased it from somebody in England If so perhaps you could ask them.  Otherwise you do sometimes have to be careful, but they could be very genuine.

If you are going to sell a show potential are you prepared to run the dog on till about 6 months baring in mind that the % of Chocolate labradors that do and can make the show ring tend to be lower than the other colours.

You have to be so careful what you sell, how you sell it, how you word it AND if you sell it for big bugs the it has to be worth it or they may come after you. Another thing depending on the country depends on their breed standard requirement. IE full sets of teeth.   You couldn't tell this till the pup is a bit older.

There is alot to be said about sell to happy pet homes in your own country I think.

I know of 4 disasters just in the last 4 weeks.

Blues right....be careful...one of those she mentions is mine!!! :(  All i will say is be very aware that if things go wrong you cannot easily get your puppy back again. Good luck.

Sorry Moonshine, I just scanned your question & never read it fully!

The only problems I can envisage with importing is if the person concerned cannot keep the dog for any reason at all.   It's all a matter of trust if the enquirers seem genuine enough, you could have a very plausible enquiry from this country and the dog could end up in the wrong hands!    If they have contacted you and know of all the costs involved then they must be fairly genuine.  Maybe they are looking to help the gene pool and the strength of the chocolates there?

I know of people who have exported and have had no problems at all.  It's weighing up the pro's & con's and your gut feelings about the people concerned.   I know of one cat breeder who says to her buyers abroad "I will visit you unannounced some time in the next 2-3 years to check on this cat and if I'm not happy I will take it back"...and she means it! ;)