Opinions on shipping puppies?

[rabidpecan]

I'm having a really difficult time finding a good breeder close enough for me to drive to and pick up a puppy, so I was wondering if I could get opinions on having a puppy shipped to us. All of the pros and cons involved.

Thanks!

[Kendra NVL]

socialized the pup to a crate before shipping your pup will be fine. My puppies go to sleep in their crate so when it is time to ship they go in and fall right to sleep.

We freeze the water and food so that it doesnt spill in flight and make a mess. We send them with their blanket and a toy.

[Jac]

I don't ship my puppies, but that is only because it would break my heart...I believe that shipping is relatively safe and a great way to get pups. I have purchased 3 dogs that have been shipped via air cargo and they all arrived in wonderful shape... stinky, but in good shape!
Just select a good breeder and, as Kendra said, they will prepare the puppy for shipping.
It has been my experience that when you get a puppy from a plane, they are so happy to arrive and get out of the crate that they bond to you immediately and strongly!
I would not hesitate to get a puppy shipped...provided that the breeder cared enough to do it well.

[mtd885]

I agree with Jac the problem is how do you determine who is a good breeder without meeting them? I was flummoxed by a 'premium' breeder. I received a sick puppy which did not match the description of the puppy I was looking for. I was also ripped off on shipping and the exchange rate so Caveat Emptor--Buyer Beware! Having said that I wish I had found this site before buying! The guidance you will find here from the breeders who monitor this site is worth it's weight in gold. Good Luck with whatever you choose to do.

Maya was shipped and she was in great condition. She did smell a little but a bath as soon as she got home cured that. Also at first she didn't want to come out of her crate. I reached in a little and coaxed her out to hold her on my lap on the ride home. She did bond to me immediately. Our vet was very impressed with how much she had bonded with me and we saw him 3 hours after she got off the plane!!!

[rabidpecan]

Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely be asking some questions and doing research on a breeder before I put another deposit down on a puppy.

My husband was just asking this as well......Does anyone know if there are duties due on a puppy shipped across the border? After paying for an expensive puppy, plus the shipping fees, I'd hate to get dinged with duties as well.

I think I did have to pay some kind of duty tax but it was nominal. (Under $100....I think like $40) Maya was shipped from Canada.

[Doodlesville]

I don't ship either, it is way to stressful on a puppy and a stressed pup is a sick pup, IMO

and i truly do not trust the airlines, i used to work for American and what they say and what they do are 2 totally different things

I wont take chances with our babies

I do feel it is important to meet our families before sending a pup home with them, we have a orientation ,,we answer questions and go thru training tips,that helps reduce stress for pups and families to help make the transition as smooth,easy and uneventful as possible

There is allot to consider other then pup being prepared for a flight much more

[Jac]

Originally Posted by rabidpecan

Does anyone know if there are duties due on a puppy shipped across the border? After paying for an expensive puppy, plus the shipping fees, I'd hate to get dinged with duties as well.

I bought a puppy from Canada and I don't recall any additional charges...you could contact the airline and ask, but if I paid one it must have been insignificant.

[MySweetDoodle]

I've had only one experience with shipping a puppy. Our little Irish JRT, Meaghan, was shipped from Ireland to New York and arrived in wonderful condition (as did her littermates). They were 10 weeks old. When we went to see them 3 days later they were all healthly, happy, and very playful.

I think successful shipping is, as others have mentioned, really all about how the puppies are prepared for the journey ahead of time. First and foremost, they should be totally healthly before they are shipped. And they should be used to their crate so that they feel "at home" in it and not stressed out about being put in it. And I think that a good breeder who genuinely cares about his/her puppies, will help insure that a shipped puppy will arrive "none the less for the wear".

[emilee]

we didn't have to pay anything extra when we brought ursus into the US from canada. did it by car tho -- ursus flew to toronto and we drove from the detroit area to pick him up. it was about 9 hours in the car for us round-trip, but it meant that ursus' flight was only about 2.5 hours. he came out of his crate no problem when we picked him up, and hadn't made a mess of himself in transit. he didn't even seem too stressed -- he ate some chicken and rice that we had brought with us, right away, and drank some water. for us the shipping thing turned out quite well.

we did have to have the correct paperwork from the breeder, though -- there was some kind of proof of purchase or bill of sale or something, and a health certificate. i think the rules are similar when bringing a dog from the US to canada, but i'm not sure about the fees...

-em

[lmtoth2]

we wanted to see our breeder/puppy in person so we narrowed our search to breeders that were within a 4-5 hour driving distance from us. However, after joining this forum if we were to get another puppy (in 15-20 years) I would consider getting one shipped...but I would only do so from some of the breeders we have "met" on this forum who we feel comfortable with.

I still would prefer to drive to pick up the puppy to save shipping costs.

[Maureen]

Originally Posted by rabidpecan

I'm having a really difficult time finding a good breeder close enough for me to drive to and pick up a puppy, so I was wondering if I could get opinions on having a puppy shipped to us. All of the pros and cons involved.

Thanks!

Hi, and Welcome!!
I do ship puppies and have had very happy puppy families, whom I have never had the pleasure of meeting, pick up their puppy and report back that he/she is fine. Some of them post on this forum and I know that you could trust the breeders who post here regularly. In my case, I do spend time speaking future puppy families at length before placing a puppy so that I can try to get a sense of trusting you and I try to give you as much info as possible so that you can trust me.

If you have any interest in working with any of the breeders who post a lot on this forum I'm sure you can find references for them by sending a Private Message (PM) to another member of the forum.

GREAT QUESTION! Whether or not a breeder is willing to ship your caring about this option is a great sign that you will be a wonderful Doodle family when you find your breeder and your doodle!

[rabidpecan]

Thanks for all of the comments guys!

I think I've found my breeder, and she has fantastic reviews from some of the people on this site. I'm definitely already noticing the difference between communicating with her and trying to talk to the woman I was going to buy from before. She's been very, very helpful and informative, her prices are very reasonable, and I'm looking forward to buying a pup from her.

You guys have definitely set my mind at ease about shipping. I know it's not the best choice, but I truly can't seem to find a reputable breeder of labradoodles near me, and my husband and I can't afford to take another vacation to drive a long distance to pick one up. I'm just praying it all works out this time!

Thanks!

[mtd885]

Don't forget to post pics Congrats!