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Thinking about importing?

GennyB

Hot Topics Subscriber
As you know, my newest addition, Rumor was imported from Serbia. Since my decision, I have had tons of questions on the process and my reasons for going this route. I thought it might be helpful for people that are thinking about it to start a thread.

My experience was wonderful all and all. Of course it did have a few kinks along the way.
Let's start from the beginning.
How did I decide to import?
Obviously I was in the market for a pup. I had a few road blocks from the start. First I have an intact male. Apparently some sort of red flag to breeders. Drake is a good boy, most people are surprised to learn he is intact. I saw no reason to neuter him just to satisfy a breeder.
Another stumbling block was I am not really interested in showing. That's a huge deal to a lot of breeders. Don't misunderstand, I get it, it's just not for me. Yes, I do play around in a couple of venues just for fun. I am just not in a place I can make the commitment to finish a dog in AKC. Sending my dog to a handler, traveling all over on weekends, spending hours on end at a dog show, I just can't do it. That would be a requirement if I wanted to leave the pup intact until she at least matured. Based on my research it is important to do that.
I came close on a couple of pups. The breeder was willing to work with me on everything but the name. One girl was just beautiful and I love her drive and temperament. She was already named and I just hated both the regiustered name and call name. The breeder wasn't willing to let me name her. May sound silly, but I couldn't live with a name I hated.
I decided to open my search parameters and look at importing. I was actually looking for a pup that was part NA and part Euro, my favorite because you can get the best of both worlds. Not easy to find so I took the leap to all Euro. My husband actually found our breeder because the dam caught his eye. The sire was bordering on what I don't like about Euros. I talked to the breeder and she explained what she was looking for in the litter. I liked what she said.
We talked a lot before deciding to go with her. I asked tons of questions and I got my answers.
Some of the challenges were first, the language barrier. That was tough at times but we quickly learned how to communicate. Another thing was things are done differently in Europe. I learned different isn't wrong, just different.
Overall the hardest part was wiring the money. Some of the things that go in in today's world like fraud and terrorism made that harder than it needed to be. The payments were half as a deposit and the other half when the pup was shipped. As far as the price of the pup, in the end with shipping and the travel we did to pick her up, I paid just under what a pup would cost me here.
When it came time for shipping,, the scary part for me, it went perfect! I called the cargo place before her flight landed and they gave me a time to be there. We walked in and her paperwork was ready. It actually got there before her. We took care of it and were told to go outside and she should be pulling up in a jeep. She was! So in less than 10 minutes we were done. We hung around a bit because I wanted to clean out her crate and walk her a bit. It couldn't have gone smoother.
I am thrilled with my girl and would do it again in a heart beat.
I walked away with a beautiful girl that has a great pedigree. I don't have to put any titles on her unless I want to and I don't have to spay her by a certain date or at all if I don't want to. I couldn't be happier.
I tried to keep this as short as possible, umm...didn't work, I'm sure I left out some details so if you have a question I didn't cover ask away.
Anybody else that has imported should feel free to add their experience also.
 
I'm so glad everything worked out for you @GennyB . Rumor is a sweetie pie! My question is this...personality is also a big thing for me, having not been able to meet the parents was this a concern for you?
 
I'm so glad everything worked out for you @GennyB . Rumor is a sweetie pie! My question is this...personality is also a big thing for me, having not been able to meet the parents was this a concern for you?


To answer that question honestly I would have to say yes. But I would also have to add that concern was quickly laid to rest. I did tons of research before making my decision. I also had the advantage of knowing of 2 dogs from Lipar land, both owners very happy. We all know @Drogon is more than thrilled and I talked to @JanS who had experience being involved with Demelza before making my decision.
The sire's owner has tons of pics and videos of him on her Facebook page and I quickly fell for him. His relationship with his little boy speaks volumes. Vera of course has an outstanding reputation throughout the world for producing great dogs. I won't deny this was a hard decision for me but I did everything I could to make sure it was a good one. I think it was a great one for us. While I understand there are no guarantees, I believe Rumor is the right pup for me.
 
Thank you, Genny, for starting this thread! It's very pertinent to me, as I am very tempted to import my next Doberman! I've always been way too leery to trust importing.

I have heard of some successes since being in this forum, and I've only heard of one bad experience (and I think that was a dispute over papers but the buyer at least got the Dobe).

I have always been afraid of a scenario like: Well I chose this breeder in a foreign country via their website. We have had sufficient communications (probably via email) to persuade me to trust them. I have gone ahead and sent them my money but I get nothing, or I get an inferior Dobe that doesn't seem to be the Dobe I was promised and now I'm totally stuck with it. I mean, what in the world am I going to do to go after a person in another country?? I don't think there is any power we would have via U.S. courts to try to rectify being cheated – especially if it's a case of me just believing I have been delivered the wrong dog.

Not trying to just be negative nelly doubting thomas here; but these are the big roadblocks to importing, wouldn't you all agree?

Hopefully many people share their experiences and the power of knowledge will shine the light.
 
By the way, I do not mean to make it sound like I just glossed over all your information. Quite the contrary. I will read and re-read and re-read it and I thank you for it!
 
Great info Genny!

I have always been afraid of a scenario like: Well I chose this breeder in a foreign country via their website. We have had sufficient communications (probably via email) to persuade me to trust them. I have gone ahead and sent them my money but I get nothing, or I get an inferior Dobe that doesn't seem to be the Dobe I was promised and now I'm totally stuck with it. I mean, what in the world am I going to do to go after a person in another country?? I don't think there is any power we would have via U.S. courts to try to rectify being cheated – especially if it's a case of me just believing I have been delivered the wrong dog.
That is a big concern and I've heard of it happening from some breeders - even domestically. If I import it would only be from a breeder that I know other people have experience with to make sure they're on the up and up. I know for sure Vera is one of them and there are a few others who fit that bill as well.
With the internet word would spread like wildfire if they screwed someone over and that reputation would quickly become known to everyone who does any research before committing.
 
With the internet word would spread like wildfire if they screwed someone over and that reputation would quickly become known to everyone who does any research before committing.
That's a good point, and any breeder with sense would realize this. Power to the people!
 
I have always been afraid of a scenario like: Well I chose this breeder in a foreign country via their website. We have had sufficient communications (probably via email) to persuade me to trust them. I have gone ahead and sent them my money but I get nothing, or I get an inferior Dobe that doesn't seem to be the Dobe I was promised and now I'm totally stuck with it. I mean, what in the world am I going to do to go after a person in another country?? I don't think there is any power we would have via U.S. courts to try to rectify being cheated – especially if it's a case of me just believing I have been delivered the wrong dog.



Trust me when I say this was a HUGE leap of faith for me. Even with the things I already knew, like the people that were very satisfied with dogs from Vera. There's always that one... My luck it would be me.
Lipar Land will be on my very short list of breeders as well as the kennel the sire is from. I love both kennels and the people that own them.


With the internet word would spread like wildfire if they screwed someone over and that reputation would quickly become known to everyone who does any research before committing.


That is very true. Also true that there can be misunderstandings and people throw things out on the internet that just are not true. Sometimes common sense is your best friend.
 
Also true that there can be misunderstandings and people throw things out on the internet that just are not true.
Yes there can always be a couple people who say the dog was impossible to train (or whatever) when in reality they just bit off more than they could chew with a working breed. It's not the dogs or breeders fault in the slightest, but the buyer needing to do more research to know if they're able to commit to the work it will take.
 
I talked a little about Rumor's sire and the kennel he is from. Thought I would post a link so everyone's knows who I'm talking about.
«Fort Bellators» dobermann kennel
And of course Rumor's sire page :love:

Guard de Marine de Grande Vinko
His personality just jumps off the page! I love him. Especially his puppy pics.
Guard de Marine de Grande Vinko - Puppie Gallery
And if you look through the gallery pics of all the dogs you can see pics of his very special relationship with his little boy. They are very close in age and have grown up together.

Doberlife
 
I am interested in importing, I found a previous thread on this site from 2 years ago where a member imported from Pride of Russia, Does anyone have any knowledge on these lines? Pups look really healthy and come from working lines (which is what im interested in) and show lines but to the Euro Standard.
 
I am interested in importing, I found a previous thread on this site from 2 years ago where a member imported from Pride of Russia, Does anyone have any knowledge on these lines? Pups look really healthy and come from working lines (which is what im interested in) and show lines but to the Euro Standard.
I personally like the Pride of Russia kennel and their dobes. I wouldn't say they're all from working lines. Like many EU breeders they often breed dogs from other kennels and then put their name on them. For example Pride of Russia Sidor is from a breeding of Fedor del Nasi x Sharon iz Zoosfery. Both are fantastic dogs. You have to look at each litter individually.
I imported from Lipar Land in Serbia which has similar breedings. My boy is from Valdo from LiparLand x
Villa v. Noblesshof but there's no other Lipar Land dobes in his pedigree. Both Fedor del Nasi & Sharon iz Zoosfery are in his pedigree.
 
I personally like the Pride of Russia kennel and their dobes. I wouldn't say they're all from working lines. Like many EU breeders they often breed dogs from other kennels and then put their name on them. For example Pride of Russia Sidor is from a breeding of Fedor del Nasi x Sharon iz Zoosfery. Both are fantastic dogs. You have to look at each litter individually.
I imported from Lipar Land in Serbia which has similar breedings. My boy is from Valdo from LiparLand x
Villa v. Noblesshof but there's no other Lipar Land dobes in his pedigree. Both Fedor del Nasi & Sharon iz Zoosfery are in his pedigree.

Thank you for the response! Im looking at purchasing a pup within the next 6 months but I want to make sure its the right one seeming as though I am interested in ipo and tracking. My male just recently passed in December and he was euro american. Honestly the reasoning behind importing was, I just had to return a pup that I was paying 3500 for because I found out the breeder was a fraud and sold me a sick pup. Thank fully I was able to get all my money back! However I love the big bones in the European Dobermann's and figured why pay 3500 in america when I can get one in Europe for that much maybe even a little cheaper. Im going to check out Limpar Land as well to see their dogs. How did the importing process go for you?
 
How did the importing process go for you?
It was a breeze. Downsides - your pup will look skinny upon arrival. They can't feed them for 24hours (or something like that) but that will go away pretty quickly. Other downside is the waiting and worrying. It did take months for me to get the paperwork but all in all I'd do it again with my next pup.
 
I am interested in importing, I found a previous thread on this site from 2 years ago where a member imported from Pride of Russia, Does anyone have any knowledge on these lines? Pups look really healthy and come from working lines (which is what im interested in) and show lines but to the Euro Standard.
Welcome from Minnesota! :welcome:

I know a few people who have imported from Lipar Land and they're beautiful, healthy pups. Pride of Russia has some beautiful dogs too and as stated, do your research on each breeding to be sure you're getting what you want.
 
It was a breeze.



Agree 100%!


Downsides - your pup will look skinny upon arrival.


Rumor was not skinny looking at all. Then again she is a chow hound. :rolleyes:


Other downside is the waiting and worrying.


The hardest part for me. The day we picked her up I found myself watching her plane fly over the ocean. Then when it started getting close to the airport I got so excited I thought I was going to explode. :D


I'd do it again with my next pup.


Definitely!
 
This is super helpful. I'm pretty set on importing my next pup. Mostly because I'm also in the boat of not being up to show/title a dog and having unaltered dogs is a red flag to American breeders. Now I just gotta get hubby on board with the idea. I'm still struggling to explain why pure dobes are "so expensive" and why it really does matter. Sigh.
 
I am interested in importing, I found a previous thread on this site from 2 years ago where a member imported from Pride of Russia, Does anyone have any knowledge on these lines? Pups look really healthy and come from working lines (which is what im interested in) and show lines but to the Euro Standard.




Sounds like it's time for you to start talking to some breeders. Some of the questions should include the breeders shipping procedures. Also how far you are from an international airport. There is a gentleman that reached out to me about that very thing. He's pup is due for arrival in days. He didn't give the shipping a thought. Guess he thought the pup would arrive at his doorstep like a UPS package. Now it's the end of summer, all his vacation is used and kids are back in school. His pup is due on a work day and will be landing almost 400 miles away. :shock: Some serious scrambling going on there.
 

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