Shipping puppy vs picking up in person

Lucy Dog · 10-10-2011, 09:56 PM

A recent thread got me thinking how everyone feels on the subject of having a puppy shipped. This can be from anyones perspective... breeder, buyer, whatever.

Since we have a lot of breeders on here, as a breeder, are you comfortable shipping puppies if a potential buyer lived across the country or in another country? Would you prefer the buyer drives 10-20 hours to pick the puppy up vs having the puppy flown to it's new home to cut down on travel time? Are you comfortable selling puppies without meeting the buyer in person?

As a buyer, are you comfortable not meeting the breeder and their dogs in person and having the puppy shipped? Would you trust based on research you've done or "word of mouth" or would you have to go see the dogs in person before committing to a puppy?

Basically, how does everyone feel on the subject?

**JKlatsky** · 10-10-2011, 10:03 PM

I've always picked my puppies in person. I'm not sure I could completely go word of mouth and reputation, but I'm kind of a control freak. I'd want to see the facility, the parents, and then ultimately have the ability to make a final decision on the puppy, even if it was breeder selected for me.

Of course I know people who have shipped their pups from overseas and been perfectly happy. So I think it goes down to personal preference.

arycrest · 10-10-2011, 10:04 PM

I can't recall getting a puppy when I haven't met the breeder or some of his/her dogs ... but I have gotten puppies from these breeders sight unseen. I've gotten a couple older dogs where I didn't know the breeder personally but knew something about their dogs and knew people who knew them and felt perfectly comfortably with this arrangement.

I've had puppies shipped and I've picked them up. Shipping is easier on me, but I personally prefer to pick them up whenever possible.

**bocron** · 10-10-2011, 10:06 PM

In the past 15-20 years my husband and I have bought more dogs than I could count right now (some for us, some for police depts we were working with and some for clients). We have probably bought a dozen from Europe (sight unseen) and another dozen or so in the states. We have been very pleased with all but 2 or 3 of the dogs. When possible I will try to buy where we can go see the parents and the pups. I will say though, that my husband has been active in Schutzhund since the early 80's so has a really long list of people he can call and ask about dogs or breedings we are interested in.
When I was breeding Beaucerons, I would ship more puppies than ever got picked up here. It's just that way with rare breeds. Of all the pups I ever sold to people sight unseen, I only ever had one family I regretted selling the pup to. But I did get the dog back so all was well. Sometimes no matter how many questions you ask, you just can't always be right.
I tend to be very trusting of people in general and luckily it usually works out. I also do my research though, so I'm not just blindly taking everyone's word for it. I think that time spent researching and a bit of faith in human kind has always worked for me.

Annette

Wild Wolf · 10-10-2011, 10:11 PM

My puppy was shipped to me, and honestly I wish I could have made the 9-10 hour drive to pick him up. A situation that was beyond mine or the breeder's control occurred and resulted in my boy being "kenneled" somewhere (I had no idea where) over night without my knowledge or permission. I have no idea what he ate, who cleaned his kennel, who took care of him or how safe he was. I don't know if he was cold, hungry and scared... I will think twice about having a pup shipped to me next time, even though I am pretty dead set on going to Hunter's breeder for my next pup in 4-5 years.

Holmeshx2 · 10-11-2011, 01:26 AM

I had my pup shipped and honestly I'd do it again. It took her longer then I thought to get to me (expected 2 hours like a regular persons flight) but she got to me without any issue at all got off the plane snatched a hot dog out of my husbands hand and acted like she knew us her entire life and just waiting for us. She came to my job completely bold and ready to take on the world met new people went on new surfaces investigated the repair shop etc.. I definitely saw no signs what so ever that traveling took its toll on her other then she had been a number of hours without eating and she was ready to tear a finger off to eat (of course she is still that way hahaha)

Lucy Dog · 10-11-2011, 01:42 AM

It's my thread, so I guess I'll give my opinion on the subject.

I think a puppy with solid nerves should be able to handle a cross country airplane ride no problem. Obviously, I'd want the best possible travel conditions in terms of temperature (climate controlled cabin) and an airlines with experience shipping dogs/puppies. Actually, I'd think a 3 or 4 hour plane ride would be less stressful than a 20 hour drive for a puppy.

With that said, personally, I'd be open to having a puppy shipped. If the breeder was comfortable with it and had a good history of shipping their puppies than I'd be for it. Just like Annette mentioned, I'm a pretty trusting person. Solid pedigrees and a breeders proven history means more to me than a one on one meeting even though both are important.

The problem I see with eliminating the shipping option is that it eliminates potential breeders. If I was very fond of a breeder in California when I'm in Connecticut, but was unable to do that drive, should this breeder be eliminated from possible options just because of location? Should I have to settle for a breeder who isn't as good, but is closer and more convenient? I don't think so.

carmspack · 10-11-2011, 02:02 AM

Wild Wolf , if your dog was shipped and something outside of anyone's control such as flight delays and not making a connection, later arriving when customs (if international) was closed , then the dog would have been kenneled at a licenced approved local kennel , or vets that they have a contract with.
Carmen
Carmspack Working German Shepherd Dogs

**Cassidy's Mom** · 10-11-2011, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucy Dog

If I was very fond of a breeder in California when I'm in Connecticut, but was unable to do that drive, should this breeder be eliminated from possible options just because of location? Should I have to settle for a breeder who isn't as good, but is closer and more convenient? I don't think so.

Ha! I'm the opposite - I'm in California but we had Halo shipped from Connecticut!

Lucy Dog · 10-11-2011, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carmspack

Wild Wolf , if your dog was shipped and something outside of anyone's control such as flight delays and not making a connection, later arriving when customs (if international) was closed , then the dog would have been kenneled at a licenced approved local kennel , or vets that they have a contract with.
Carmen
Carmspack Working German Shepherd Dogs

Carmen... how do you feel on the subject? Do you typically ship to customers around the country? Do you even sell puppies as pets or do they all go on to some kind of working field?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassidy's Mom

Ha! I'm the opposite - I'm in California but we had Halo shipped from Connecticut!

Of course she did... all the best things come from CT!

How did she do on the plane? Was she ok when she arrived? Did you meet the breeder before having her shipped?

10-10-2011, 09:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
Lucy Dog Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,945	Shipping puppy vs picking up in person A recent thread got me thinking how everyone feels on the subject of having a puppy shipped. This can be from anyones perspective... breeder, buyer, whatever. Since we have a lot of breeders on here, as a breeder, are you comfortable shipping puppies if a potential buyer lived across the country or in another country? Would you prefer the buyer drives 10-20 hours to pick the puppy up vs having the puppy flown to it's new home to cut down on travel time? Are you comfortable selling puppies without meeting the buyer in person? As a buyer, are you comfortable not meeting the breeder and their dogs in person and having the puppy shipped? Would you trust based on research you've done or "word of mouth" or would you have to go see the dogs in person before committing to a puppy? Basically, how does everyone feel on the subject?

10-10-2011, 10:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
JKlatsky Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Riverview, FL Posts: 2,988	I've always picked my puppies in person. I'm not sure I could completely go word of mouth and reputation, but I'm kind of a control freak. I'd want to see the facility, the parents, and then ultimately have the ability to make a final decision on the puppy, even if it was breeder selected for me. Of course I know people who have shipped their pups from overseas and been perfectly happy. So I think it goes down to personal preference. __________________ Bianka vom Eisernen Loewen IPO3, CGC, TC 1-3-08 Cade vom Eisernen Loewen IPO1, CGC 3-25-09 D'Artagnan (Tag) vom Eisernen Loewen BH 2-2-10 G Aiko von Burkndeiros SchH 3, IPO3, FH, TC, KKL2 9-17-02 (Retired) Tampa Bay Working Dog Club

10-10-2011, 10:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
arycrest Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 8,936	I can't recall getting a puppy when I haven't met the breeder or some of his/her dogs ... but I have gotten puppies from these breeders sight unseen. I've gotten a couple older dogs where I didn't know the breeder personally but knew something about their dogs and knew people who knew them and felt perfectly comfortably with this arrangement. I've had puppies shipped and I've picked them up. Shipping is easier on me, but I personally prefer to pick them up whenever possible. __________________ Gayle ... Slider, Bruiser & Faith At the Bridge: Andy, Abbey, Tasha, Tex, Echo, Yukon, JR, Too, Niki, Bo, Ringer, Kelly, Honey & Mac Last edited by arycrest; 10-10-2011 at 10:12 PM.

10-10-2011, 10:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
bocron Moderator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Milton, Georgia Posts: 1,995	In the past 15-20 years my husband and I have bought more dogs than I could count right now (some for us, some for police depts we were working with and some for clients). We have probably bought a dozen from Europe (sight unseen) and another dozen or so in the states. We have been very pleased with all but 2 or 3 of the dogs. When possible I will try to buy where we can go see the parents and the pups. I will say though, that my husband has been active in Schutzhund since the early 80's so has a really long list of people he can call and ask about dogs or breedings we are interested in. When I was breeding Beaucerons, I would ship more puppies than ever got picked up here. It's just that way with rare breeds. Of all the pups I ever sold to people sight unseen, I only ever had one family I regretted selling the pup to. But I did get the dog back so all was well. Sometimes no matter how many questions you ask, you just can't always be right. I tend to be very trusting of people in general and luckily it usually works out. I also do my research though, so I'm not just blindly taking everyone's word for it. I think that time spent researching and a bit of faith in human kind has always worked for me. Annette __________________ Annette Holbrook www.coppercreekdvg.com- All Breed Schutzhund Club Home of Umarek von Hugelblick, my good luck charm!

10-10-2011, 10:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
Wild Wolf Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 1,941	My puppy was shipped to me, and honestly I wish I could have made the 9-10 hour drive to pick him up. A situation that was beyond mine or the breeder's control occurred and resulted in my boy being "kenneled" somewhere (I had no idea where) over night without my knowledge or permission. I have no idea what he ate, who cleaned his kennel, who took care of him or how safe he was. I don't know if he was cold, hungry and scared... I will think twice about having a pup shipped to me next time, even though I am pretty dead set on going to Hunter's breeder for my next pup in 4-5 years. __________________ ~ Angel SG S-Hunter vom Geistwasser CGN TT (DM Clear) AIRPORT WILDLIFE & BIRD CONTROL K9 http://www.k9instinct.com

10-11-2011, 01:26 AM	#6 (permalink)
Holmeshx2 Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ft. Bragg, NC Posts: 1,667	I had my pup shipped and honestly I'd do it again. It took her longer then I thought to get to me (expected 2 hours like a regular persons flight) but she got to me without any issue at all got off the plane snatched a hot dog out of my husbands hand and acted like she knew us her entire life and just waiting for us. She came to my job completely bold and ready to take on the world met new people went on new surfaces investigated the repair shop etc.. I definitely saw no signs what so ever that traveling took its toll on her other then she had been a number of hours without eating and she was ready to tear a finger off to eat (of course she is still that way hahaha) __________________ Jinx vom Wildhaus

10-11-2011, 01:42 AM	#7 (permalink)
Lucy Dog Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,945	It's my thread, so I guess I'll give my opinion on the subject. I think a puppy with solid nerves should be able to handle a cross country airplane ride no problem. Obviously, I'd want the best possible travel conditions in terms of temperature (climate controlled cabin) and an airlines with experience shipping dogs/puppies. Actually, I'd think a 3 or 4 hour plane ride would be less stressful than a 20 hour drive for a puppy. With that said, personally, I'd be open to having a puppy shipped. If the breeder was comfortable with it and had a good history of shipping their puppies than I'd be for it. Just like Annette mentioned, I'm a pretty trusting person. Solid pedigrees and a breeders proven history means more to me than a one on one meeting even though both are important. The problem I see with eliminating the shipping option is that it eliminates potential breeders. If I was very fond of a breeder in California when I'm in Connecticut, but was unable to do that drive, should this breeder be eliminated from possible options just because of location? Should I have to settle for a breeder who isn't as good, but is closer and more convenient? I don't think so.

10-11-2011, 02:02 AM	#8 (permalink)
carmspack Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ontario - Posts: 5,552	Wild Wolf , if your dog was shipped and something outside of anyone's control such as flight delays and not making a connection, later arriving when customs (if international) was closed , then the dog would have been kenneled at a licenced approved local kennel , or vets that they have a contract with. Carmen Carmspack Working German Shepherd Dogs

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