Selling pups long distance??

[countrysmiths]

Has anyone here ever sold pups long distance?? I have sold border collie puppies locally before and the last litter I had someone that was interested in buying one that was about 700 miles away. Before I had a chance to figure it out how to ship it etc. the buyer changed their mind and it sold locally. I have another litter and I would like to know your experience as to how you did it and what is involved such as cost and procedures. Thanks-I don't post much at all but always love to read the posts and have learned a lot on this forum.

Mark

[Cindy in KY]

I used to ship my Border Collie pups on the airlines, but we quit doing that about 3 years ago. You really have to ask more for them, as it is allot of work, time, travel, etc. Shipping is at least $220, with the flight, crate, health certificate, plus gas on top of that. I would not ship one that was less than 250-300 plus the $220-$250 for the flight details. It's just not worth all the hassle. (I guess unless you live next door to the vet and also the airport)

Long time ago we could ship them for under $100, now it is $170, & more to Alaska. Pups do alright, it takes them several days to get their bearing back, and relax. Temps have to be under 80* and over 20* (daily forecast), take-off, switching, and landing zones, so it is hard to do it except spring and fall. And unless you have a good airport, like a hub, straight flights are impossible. But you can put 2 pups in one crate if they are the same size. 2 are better than one for sure, they have company, for the same $170. We have had folks split the airfare many times that way. One person gets to pay for and keep the crate.

I have had Border Collies shipped into me, and all was fine.

We just don't like it. Getting up at 2am, putting the pup in the crate, it's wondering what it did wrong to be sent away. It would tear me up too much. Harder on us than the pup. I just sell them for less around here, and have way more time to work on the farm.

[Country Doc]

I agree with Cindy's post and confirm the numbers.

[countrysmiths]

Thanks Cindy for your reply. I am about 50 miles from the Oklahoma City airport, but it sounds like it would be more hassle than it is worth, plus I like to see who is buying the pup and make sure it is getting a good home. Some people want a border collie but don't understand their needs, you just can't put them in a small yard and pet them on the way out each morning.

[Cindy in KY]

Yeah, it gets stressful. Waking up 30 times thinking you overslept, and missed the flight. Folks on the other end having to drive 4-5 hours to the airport. Pups missing connecting flights in Chicago. Plus, even if you book the pup with the airline, if a customer in line has a crate, and no more room, your pup is the first to get bumped because a person is not on the flight with them. We even had one refused because it didn't have a rabies shot at 11 weeks old. In Kentucky, you're not allowed to even give Rabies till 16 weeks. The lady at the counter refused to budge, and my husband missed a whole day of work. ($150)

[Jan in CO]

Wait til you get one of those emails from someone in another country asking to buy a puppy! They are scams, of course, and you'll recognize it right away. They offer to send you way more than you are asking for the pup, don't ask any questions about the dog--a giveaway right there that they aren't really interested in a puppy. I played along with one long enough to get him to send me the money orders so I could see what they looked like, where they came from, etc. The sherriff's office could do nothing as they came from out of the country. Jan in Co

[Alice In TX/MO]

Ditto on what Jan said. We live outside a VERY small town, and the scam folks worked on a friend of mine who has pomeranians. DON'T DO IT!

[painterswife]

I bought one of my Aussies and had her shipped. It worked out well but it does cost.

I worried like crazy until she was in my arms. She was 12 weeks old. She had no ill effects.

[Filas are Prima]

Yup, all the above is pretty much how it is.
I always try and have the crate and shipping charges extra, over and above the price of the puppy.
Many shipments can be made with the air flight COD-which is deffinately the best way to do it.
It is costing me nearly $200 out of pocket for the gas $, Vet's health exam,($47.) rabies if old enough,($15.) and near six hours round trip to the airport.
The cursed WalMart crates are an inch demension off from airline reg.'s, and sometimes they try and overcharge to the next higher crate size!
I make every effort to ship asap as receiving the purchase funds. I always worry the baby could become injured, etc, after funds received, but before shipping.
Shipping is a hastle from our side, but usually the babies sail through it just fine.
Because of the efforts involved, and expense, I do charge more for shipped pups, than the ones that I sell locally.
I must drive out of here at 2:30am to get to airport by 5:30am--and often in a snow storm.
Mine is a rare breed, not easily obtained around most locations. With a prevelant breed, I am always surprised that folks do buy them from long distances away.

[JennNY]

I just bought my Akita puppy from puppyfind.com. I had him shipped and everything turned out fine. It cost the seller about $170 to send him. It goes by weight. He lived 4 hours from me, so a longer flight, not sure if it would have been more expensive.

ALOT of people buy puppies from other areas and have them shipped nowadays. It really is rather common.

JennNY

[TedH71]

Or you can have the pup shipped via ground. Pup would get potty breaks, etc. Some of those shippers don't do potty breaks if they have many dogs but the dog would be somewhat safer compared to a plane but travel more, I believe. Best of those are the ones that specialize in hunting dogs/herding dogs transports. I actually want to do that for a living. There was one guy who was selling his business which just was the van with cages built in and a lot of papers of people who sold dogs and shipped them via his transport. He said he worked 1 week per month and earned $2000-4000 a month cash money. Decided to sell it due to spending more time with his kids. I would love to try that somehow and have helped people ship their pups but not too often. Any advice?

[daytrader]

I have never sold pups long distance. I have purchased and adopted dogs from over 300 miles away.

All 3 of my english bull dogs came from Hundreds of miles away. All over 300 miles, NOT ONE PROBLEM.

One, I had the breeder take to a vet in their area I found on the net. I spoke with the vet and told him what was going on. The animal was checked and feed back given. This was a 2500 puppy. I saved about 1500 bucks because I know for a fact I can get any day 4k for her as a breeder bitch. She is perfect. Great health, mode and family line is the best.

I had the puppy brought to me Via operation Roger. With a 250 dollar donation. I helpped with most of it. The driver that we met to get her cryed after spending 3 days with her.

The other two. I, e mailed and chatted with the folks on the phone. I picked the other 2 up. 1 for a donation. The other as a last resort. BOTH GREAT ENGLISH BULLYS.

I had no problems.

One thing you will have to worry about selling to folks a long way. Is if they are running a puppy reselling enterprise. THERE ARE MANY OF THEM.

All three of my dogs I had to "qualify" for even the purchased puppy. Folks came to my home checked me out and tax returns had to be provided for both adoptions to see if any income from sell of animals like dogs was involved. The yard was checked. A fence had to be fixed and some English bull dog proofing had to be done in the home.

I am glad this was done. As We were getting the breed we always wanted, but there were some things we did not know about.

I would not think you would want to go to this kinda trouble for dogs that were not worth it. I am not saying your are not. Just if you have to make sure everything is right. Do not price your self to low.

There are puppy and dog mills. MOST of them do not breed. They buy and resell. Many of them are in Missouri.

[Cindy in KY]

Ted, I think it would depend on the price you charged. States like Texas are so hot even if you wanted you couldn't get them in by air. I know folks who have found rides sometimes in air-conditioned trucks or cars, with truck drivers too.

It is hard on some dogs that are not used to riding, it can upset their tummies somewhat. And puppies without 3 puppy shots should never be put on the ground until they get to their new home. Usually by 12 weeks they have had their 3 shots. It is important to leave them in their crate and just change the papers. Too many germs on strange grounds, especially the dog rest stops.

If you enjoy driving and love dogs, maybe you can go with him and see if you'd like it.

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

I have at least 10 to 15 goatlings flying out each spring and when I raised Shih-tzu's and now the Ridgebacks, each litter had a few fly out including just last week. Flying them to their new homes is easy. My vet charges $25 for health certificates, kennel at Wallmart is less than $50 or they can ship me a new one via jeffers or a kennel they already have via UPS, my diesel to the vet and airport and the flight (which is 99% of the time COD which doesn't cost more...is above then normal price of the pup or goat. Goats, and dogs and cats and lab rats fly all over the USA every single day. I use Delta Dash's pets first, they have stiff regulations which protect the animals, and give you part of your money back if you have problems with the flight. Vicki