What do you think about adopting from abroad?

[AssignedSlytherinAtBirth]

I'm thinking of e.g. hunting dogs in places like Cyprus and Spain, or rescued homeless dogs from places like Romania.

A fortnight ago I would've thought someone who brought a dog over to the UK was barking(!), because shelters over here always need adopters and it's so much cheaper/easier/seems a bit.... privileged? to adopt from abroad instead. But we had decided to get another ddog and saw one online, that had been brought to a shelter abroad. The shelter is run by a friend of a friend and I know they are full, basically, and struggling with their income. Fell in love, basically. The shelter is well used to the paperwork and other requirements to send ddogs to the UK, and would make it a smooth process, hopefully.
I don't know what my friends will say. I'm interested in what the MN posse thinks. TIA.

Yes quite - and the British are famously known to be a soft touch for this kind of scam. The British seem to want to believe any old scammer that the dogs have been 'rescued' when in fact they have been bred for this market.

I know 3 people who adopted from Romania and had to rehome the dog. The first was aggressive to the kids (despite being pegged as 'ideal for a family'. The second was terrified of noise and just cowered in its cage all day long for weeks. The third kept trying to escape.

I don't think enough time is taken to really think about the temperament of these dogs and what type of home is suitable for them. A lot less accountability than U.K. shelters from what I can see. And being shipped across a continent is no easy thing for an animal. You'd be better off using a reputable U.K. rescue shelter.

It depends. The shelter we got our dog from were fantastic. Rescue dogs are not normal dogs. People need to go into it with their eyes wide open and seek a rescue that has good back up. They do exist.

I think it's a great idea, and do agree with other comments re shelters in the UK, however I know a family that rescued a Pointer from Cyprus, there was a lot of cost involved - this pup was petrified and had such an awful life. Still weary now after a few years, but so rewarding that he is now loved and wants for nothing.

OK thanks for your insights, all. This is a reputable shelter. It's run by a Brit who I know slightly - a very passionate woman for animals. They won't send the dog if she's not healthy. We've had the home check - in person, which surprised me, done by a volunteer organisation based in the UK.

As an aside, I looked up collies for sale in the UK and they are the same price as adopting from abroad! And they are being bred for profit, I know. I really don't want to support this. Doubtless a dog from a shelter would be cheaper, though.