Purchasing a dog in the US. Questions

blasted_saber

blasted_saber

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We're looking at buying our net hunting dog from an American breeder. Has anyone ever done this before? As far as I can tell there is a $30 fee for import, but I also presume we will have to declare value and pay taxes?

Any other tips or stuff I should know?

Thanks
 
Our Beagle came from a breeder in Minnesota bought and paid for at $1100 USD. Customs fees were close to $300 CAD, and they asked if he was a breeding/showdog or a pet. We said pet. Not sure what the difference would have been. For what it's worth, he was shipped here by himself at 3 months old and we picked him up at the airport. Fairly certain it traumatized him. I would not recommend it.
 
Yail Bloor said:
Our Beagle came from a breeder in Minnesota bought and paid for at $1100 USD. Customs fees were close to $300 CAD, and they asked if he was a breeding/showdog or a pet. We said pet. Not sure what the difference would have been. For what it's worth, he was shipped here by himself at 3 months old and we picked him up at the airport. Fairly certain it traumatized him. I would not recommend it.
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Thanks. I think the import is slightly higher if its a show dog/breeding dog. The rest of your fee looks like taxes, I would presume.

As it stands we're probably going to get him via car. The breeder is also considering driving or flying with him across the border.
 
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Also be aware that the dog will need proof of vaccinations, seems simple but if it is missing the puppy is stuck at the border.
 
Do your research on the breed you are interested (obviously).
Contact several breeders and ask the questions one would ask.(obviously)
Some breeders will travel or they have connections to deliver puppies to customers within reason(think CGN snail mail express).
The breeder will ensure your new pet is up to date on shots and will have proof of documentation that will ease you through the border concerns.
It is a real bonus if you can travel and meet face to face with the breeder and the prospective pup.
You will be paying regular taxes like GST or the HST depending on what province one resides in.
My busy has bought several Drathars from a breeder in Idaho who has lineage and AKC Regied or not.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
These are general things to ask and be aware of.
What breed you looking at and dont forget pictures of the new family member.
Rob
 
I've done it in the past and will be doing it next week to pick up our new puppy, not that big of a deal as long as you have the paper work for the dog, vet record and a receipt for the purchase.
 
If you stay in the USA for 48 hours, you are eligible for an $800 tax exemption on purchased goods, cheers
 
blasted_saber said:
Thanks. I think the import is slightly higher if its a show dog/breeding dog. The rest of your fee looks like taxes, I would presume.
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They need a microchip if they're not a pet. Also, if they're under 3 months of age, they don't require a rabies vaccine. Basically, you need a bill of sale and a pedigree or something of the sort to prove age. And they will Google and contact the breeder or other breeders if they think you're evading high taxes with a lowball bill of sale. Ask me how I know. :d
 
FLHTCUI said:
Do your research on the breed you are interested (obviously).
Contact several breeders and ask the questions one would ask.(obviously)
Some breeders will travel or they have connections to deliver puppies to customers within reason(think CGN snail mail express).
The breeder will ensure your new pet is up to date on shots and will have proof of documentation that will ease you through the border concerns.
It is a real bonus if you can travel and meet face to face with the breeder and the prospective pup.
You will be paying regular taxes like GST or the HST depending on what province one resides in.
My busy has bought several Drathars from a breeder in Idaho who has lineage and AKC Regied or not.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
These are general things to ask and be aware of.
What breed you looking at and dont forget pictures of the new family member.
Rob
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Its a Hungarian Vizsla. My wife pretty well knows the entire Canadian community of CKC registered vizslas and she is convinced there are no good litters coming in Canada in the next year or so. So shes looking at an American breeder with dogs related to our current dog, who just had a litter this week and has unclaimed pups.

On my end I just want to nail down the expected costs ahead of time. Its a lot of money for a dog, and I dont want any surprises

Thanks for the advice all
 
blasted_saber there shouldnt be any unexpected costs .
I mean free trade ( as it is ) makes it straight forward.
I'm just talking from past experience with my buddy who has had two imported from two kennels in Idaho and all.
Look forward to hearing the details of the transaction and pictures of the new pup.
Best Regards.
Rob
 
Imported two Pups from the states. First one went like clockwork. Next one got a bit weird. I had donated $250 to the Gordon Rescue Society as payment for the pup. Lucy was a year old when we got her and was a cull from the show line up. She was neutered and fully documented but no mention of the $250 that went to the GRS. The border guy went overboard refused to release Lucy and sent me home. The next day, different guy and I had the breeder send me a receipt for $250, no problem. Guy did not even ask to see the receipt. Moral of the story is make sure there is a receipt. They did not charge me any fees (Calgary Airport). Dogs fly regularly, my main question is how young is too young to fly for a pup? There will be different opinions on that question.
 
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blasted_saber said:
We're looking at buying our net hunting dog from an American breeder. Has anyone ever done this before? As far as I can tell there is a $30 fee for import, but I also presume we will have to declare value and pay taxes?

Any other tips or stuff I should know?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Should be smooth sailing at the Canadian border, especially since your dog is too young to have voted for Trump.
 
blasted_saber said:
Its a Hungarian Vizsla. My wife pretty well knows the entire Canadian community of CKC registered vizslas and she is convinced there are no good litters coming in Canada in the next year or so. So shes looking at an American breeder with dogs related to our current dog, who just had a litter this week and has unclaimed pups.

On my end I just want to nail down the expected costs ahead of time. Its a lot of money for a dog, and I dont want any surprises

Thanks for the advice all
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We went through this a couple of years ago and got our second Vizsla through a Canadian breeder. She is an awesome girl, we ended up driving a couple of thousand kilometers to avoid her being traumatized with the air travel. Would absolutely use the same breeder again.

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I did four years ago. Everything above seems right to me, so I won’t reiterate. Only things that I will add:
I flew to get her and carried her on with me in a carryon. All was fine until I switched planes coming into Canada. Customs agent who was taking my HST money claimed that the carrier was too small (max carryon size with an 11 lb lab puppy in it!) and that I would have to go and buy a hard crate and have her put under the plane for the balance of her journey! It was a stressful few moments until the manager came out and told her to go on break... He rolled his eyes and told me that she was more of “a cat person”. Phew! So watch for that if that’s the route you take. The rule that she cited specifically is that the dog must be able to stand up straight without ducking its head in the crate.
Second thing. I was originally going to have her shipped Cleveland Toronto Halifax. Air canada told me that if it’s over 30 degrees on tarmac they have specific rules about how long dogs can stay out between connecting flights that can really complicate the logistics. They strongly recommended against shipping dogs in the summer months because if the dog can’t stay out there it has to go to boarding at your expense and it can get complicated.
Third thing. Post pics once you get your pup!
 
I did four years ago. Everything above seems right to me, so I won’t reiterate. Only things that I will add:
I flew to get her and carried her on with me in a carryon. All was fine until I switched planes coming into Canada. Customs agent who was taking my HST money claimed that the carrier was too small (max carryon size with an 11 lb lab puppy in it!) and that I would have to go and buy a hard crate and have her put under the plane for the balance of her journey! It was a stressful few moments until the manager came out and told her to go on break... He rolled his eyes and told me that she was more of “a cat person”. Phew! So watch for that if that’s the route you take. The rule that she cited specifically is that the dog must be able to stand up straight without ducking its head in the crate.
Second thing. I was originally going to have her shipped Cleveland Toronto Halifax. Air canada told me that if it’s over 30 degrees on tarmac they have specific rules about how long dogs can stay out between connecting flights that can really complicate the logistics. They strongly recommended against shipping dogs in the summer months because if the dog can’t stay out there it has to go to boarding at your expense and it can get complicated.
Third thing. Post pics once you get your pup!
 
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