Most all of us can relate to the question asked most commonly by potential client, and that is “Why do you buy the dogs in Europe instead of buying dogs here in the USA”? This question to people in the K-9 field is really an obvious one and probably doesn’t need any explanation. But to the lay person and even the “typical breeder” they don’t understand the differences in what is bred and what we need.

American line German Shepherds who claim they breed the same thing as the people in Europe and they sell their dogs for $1000.00 and not at the extreme prices of those from Europe. This again is a statement in and of itself. Some people have even made the comment “what are they gold plated?” referring to the $4000.00 price the people have paid in the past for dogs. This is another typical statement by people who do not understand breeding and what is required of the working dogs we need. Let me explain some major differences in breeding in the USA and Europe as well as laws governing importing, demand and a few other things.

First let’s look at breed standards. In the USA there is no breed governing agency which controls the issue of registration papers for German Shepherds for example, and no group which demands soundness of the breeding adults. The major registering group or kennel club in the USA, registers about any breed imaginable, and openly admits they are not a breed society only a registry. They will issue papers on dogs from brother/ sister, father/daughter/mother/son and anything else you can think of. So they do not control the money side of breeding in fact they encourage it. In Europe the SV (German Shepherd Breed Club) requires a strict regimen of things before it will issue papers on a dog. They include things such as:

1) Working titles on bother parents ( i.e. BH title and Schutzhund 1,2,3,or IPO 1,2,3 etc) (view more information on the German titles here)
2) Both parents are required to have an endurance title (AD title)
3) Bother parents must have certified elbows, hips, and DNA on file
4) Both parents must have a show title (view more information on the German titles here)
5) Both parents must have a breed survey ( Korum)
6) A breed warden must visit the litter, and they must be tattooed by the SV, with an assigned number issued by the SV

Without these things and sometimes more you will never get registration papers on a litter or a dog. Thus the economic side is limited unlike in the USA where breeding is done almost solely for money. Few people here will invest in solid imported breeding stock for their program because of costs or lack of actual breeding knowledge and they simply hold female after female out and use them for breeding, normally not even x-raying a dog or seldom a working title or even basic training. They are looked at solely as a means for making money. Yet they try calling themselves responsible breeders and people who claim to know what we need in a working dog.

The next issue is guarantee on the dog’s health or work ability. In Today's world clients demand a guarantee on the dog so if it doesn’t perform develops health issues the seller will replace it. The person selling a dog for $1000.00 here in the USA or even most breeders in the USA, are not going to have a replacement probably if it is needed. More than likely they won’t even be in business if a problem would arise. Most breeders here are doing it as a part time hobby, and they are here today and gone tomorrow. Unless they have a larger facility, and investment in dogs, and years of experience, odds are they won’t be around or have the money to refund any money to you if that situation would arise.

Since 9/11 the demand has skyrocketed for dogs. Along with that in the last 18 months to 2 years the US dollar has dropped in value against the Euro by extreme amounts. This drop alone has drove dogs up 60% in the last 18 months. Along with that shipping has gone up 40% in that same time period. Not to mention, fuel cost, food costs and so on. Quality does not come cheap.

To import dogs into the USA, as a commercial enterprise (anyone who sells dogs or livestock and makes money from it is considered a commercial enterprise) you must file a formal entry with US Customs when the plane wheels are up. So by the time it lands the entry has been applied for with Customs. Along with that you must have a customs bond (or post a $50,000.00 cash bond to cover amount of the bond) All of these things cost allot, especially when you throw in shipping, a shipping company, custom broker to handle the entry, and release fees. Many choose to go the illegal route and hide what they are doing, but any reputable breeder or importer won’t do these things, they should be operating by the book. Shipping today from Germany to Dallas as an example can run $600-775.00 per dog. From Germany to Canada it can run upwards of $1100-1200.00 US. These prices do not include any of the customs items I mentioned prior this is just the fee the airlines charge per dog. These are just a few of the things to consider when looking at costs of “green dogs”. There are good breeders and trainers in the USA of course. Just beware of the issues previously mentioned and make sure you know who you’re dealing with and what their experience is. Most knowledgeable trainer’s breeders will welcome you to come visit their facility, and meet the dogs. They are there if you have a question or problem. Lastly remember you normally get what you pay for and dog’s are no exception.

Leerburg Kennels also has a well written article on why to purchase Imported Bloodlines available here.