Importing Dogs

[lizardloverrach]

Has anyone imported a dog? if so i'd quite like to hear your experience, with the dogs welfare, costs, legalities, and anything else!

this dog would be coming from Canada to the UK to give an idea of time/costs.

Thanks

EDIT also does anyone know where i can find out about UK laws regarding rabies and or quarantine for dog coming from Canada?

[FallenAngel]

I am not to sure about specific information but have a look at the DEFRA website.

Defra, UK - Wildlife and pets - Pets and horses - Travelling with pets

[JulieNoob]

I had a dog who came over from Canada at just short of 12 months old.
The breeder or my bitch bought him and I know the whole thing cost several thousand - shipping is about £1000, plus the very specific crate which has to be spot on size wise or the dog is not allowed to fly, the dog will need to be about 11 months plus as it will have to have had rabies jab plus the titre test clear which is about 6 months after initial jab.

Paperwork etc has to be done by the book - there are companies who will arrange everything - obviously at a cost but well worth it - I know someone else who had a dog arrive in the UK only to be sent back to Canada (at her expense) because the paperwork was not correct ...


You would also need to be very sure that the person who had the dog was doing everything with it - I have known people import dogs that have arrived as nervous unsocialised wrecks as never left the breeders home before coming over, my boy was fine - the breeder had shown him extensively and socialised him very well.

Most dogs cope with the flight no problem at all

[lizardloverrach]

Originally Posted by JulieNoob

I had a dog who came over from Canada at just short of 12 months old.
The breeder or my bitch bought him and I know the whole thing cost several thousand - shipping is about £1000, plus the very specific crate which has to be spot on size wise or the dog is not allowed to fly, the dog will need to be about 11 months plus as it will have to have had rabies jab plus the titre test clear which is about 6 months after initial jab.

Paperwork etc has to be done by the book - there are companies who will arrange everything - obviously at a cost but well worth it - I know someone else who had a dog arrive in the UK only to be sent back to Canada (at her expense) because the paperwork was not correct ...


You would also need to be very sure that the person who had the dog was doing everything with it - I have known people import dogs that have arrived as nervous unsocialised wrecks as never left the breeders home before coming over, my boy was fine - the breeder had shown him extensively and socialised him very well.

Most dogs cope with the flight no problem at all

ok thanks for the replys,
i was mainly concerned with the rabies thing as it adds so much time before the dog can come. which is something to seriously consider.
can i ask what breed you got from canada just being nosey....?!

[JulieNoob]

Originally Posted by lizardloverrach

can i ask what breed you got from canada just being nosey....?!

A fabulous Alaskan Malamute
Sadly he passed away 13 months ago

[lizardloverrach]

Originally Posted by JulieNoob

A fabulous Alaskan Malamute
Sadly he passed away 13 months ago

sorry to hear that
they are beautiful dogs

[Pimperella]

It's all paperwork and finding the right breeder. However the rewards of bring in a dog with a wonderful line and unrelated breeding are high.
I wish you all the best in your search and hope you find your perfect dog.
xx

[lizardloverrach]

Originally Posted by Pimperella

It's all paperwork and finding the right breeder. However the rewards of bring in a dog with a wonderful line and unrelated breeding are high.
I wish you all the best in your search and hope you find your perfect dog.
xx

Thanks Pimp, breeder been found. its all the paperwork an legal stuff that is confusing when you've never done it before!
And making arrangements over the phone to Canada is not easy or cheap

[thalie_knights]

top tip - find someone good to do the paperwork for you!

We brought our dobe over from Greece - The following need to be done, and correctly entered on the passport in this order:

1) Micro chip needs to be done.
2) Rabies vaccination needs to be done (minimum age 3 months old)
3) 21 day wait, then a blood sample it taken and sent off to one of the DEFRA approved laboratories.
4) 6 month wait. This 6 month wait starts on the day that the blood sample is sent to the lab.

You will then receive the blood results (hopefully everything is fine), keep this certificate as you will need it for when you collect the dog the other side,and it may need to be faxed to the airline.

5) 12-24 hours before the flight, the tick and tapeworm treatment needs to be administered, and this also needs to be entered and stamped on the passport.

We flew ours with BA (the only flight provider from Athens = Heathrow). Ring the airline from which you are flying and get the docs regarding the size/height/weight limitations, and you can get a rough idea of how much you will pay - we ended up paying just short of £1000 for the flight alone as our dogs container was so large!

We made the initial enquiries with the airline early on, however you only receive the actual confirmation regarding your flight 5-7 days before the flight, so unfortunately it meant we also spent a fortune on our flights, as we couldnt book anything until we were sure the dog would also be there!

As previously mentioned, there are companies around - cant remember the name but there is a highly recommended one which are based just outside Heathrow, id def advised getting somone to take the strain for you...!!!

[fenwoman]

Originally Posted by lizardloverrach

And making arrangements over the phone to Canada is not easy or cheap

It is if you are with Tiscali cos all overseas phone calls are free. I phone auntie in Australia, brother in France, friend in Canada, companies in America and South Africa and Europe as often as I want and it costs me not one penny