Have you ever adopted a dog from abroad?

[Nikhedonia]

Has anyone got any experience of adopting a dog from Cyprus, Bulgaria etc?

I've tried adopting in the UK but most rescues don't seem to have puppies and aren't allowing me to adopt a dog with a young child. The minimum age they ask for always seems to be 8 or 12.

There are several previous threads on this. Well worth scrolling back/searching to find them and read them.

Lots of people have very strong opinions on this. I'm very against it.

I'll take a look, thanks @DogInATent

No. I wouldn’t. Apart from the fact that diseases can be brought in there are so many issues.
No proper background on dogs.
No assessment and not carefully matched with adopters.
Soo many issues.
Very few places would consider a puppy with young children simply because it’s a bad idea. Puppies are bitey and also take a lot of time and attention. Not easy if you have little kids.
Rescues that foster will consider younger children for a the right dog.
Maybe you need to look further afield in the U.K., wait or accept a rescue may not be a pup.

Yes, we used wild at heart foundation. Very thorough, lots of aftercare, recommend to anyone.

We've just got a new puppy from Romania used mioritic dog rescue / pounds fur paws. Was impressed with home check and after support. Would def recommend them

I have repeatedly adopted from abroad and it's worked very well. Make sure the organisation is a registered charity and does a proper home check.

Fellow dog walker fosters dogs ready for adoption from abroad, the dogs need socialising but he does a great job with them. IME as long as the rescue organisation is thorough it's fine.

But as a pp said, already lots of threads on this.

I think a rescue dog would be more inappropriate (especially from abroad where they are street dogs) with a small child than a puppy.

Lots of time to dedicate to a dog so no issues there.

I was more interested about people's experience with rescues abroad.

I'm in contact with one who insists on a home check in the UK, there's an extensive process and I have to sign a contract to get the puppy spayed/neutered and they want evidence I have done so.

Firstly, sending rescues from abroad is a business. People ultimately get paid to send a puppy to you. How is that any different to a puppy farm here?
Secondly, why would you risk bringing a dog that has not been socialised and probably suffered trauma in to a home with your children?
And thirdly, There are so many dogs in this country already that need homes. Small, independent rescues will often rehome with children if they think it's the right dog.

I don’t understand your point. Rescues look for the best home for the dog. Very small children and a puppy are not a good mix. It’s about what’s best for the dog.

Ive got a spanish dog. Shes wonderful. No issues at all. Id do it again

Firstly, sending rescues from abroad is a business. People ultimately get paid to send a puppy to you. How is that any different to a puppy farm here?

It's a charity, so can't be a business. There's no profit, so not a puppy farm.

So you have very young kids and are looking at this route as it’s cheaper than a puppy farmer? About right OP?

I don’t understand your point. Rescues look for the best home for the dog.

And I'm looking for the best dog for my home. UK rescues where history is more known wont consider me because I have a 5 year old. I wouldn't consider an older rescue dog from a foreign rescue due to their unknown and probably traumatic history. Hence, puppy. I've had dogs before, so know what to expect with a puppy. I'm not ignorant to dogs. I'm ignorant to foreign rescues.

It didn't work for us We weren't told the whole truth about the dog unfortunately and had to return him to the foster family which was traumatic to say the least. He was lovely in so many ways but whatever his past experiences had been, he was traumatised and would have needed extensive input from a behaviourist which may or may not have worked.
Sadly it has put my DH off trying again as we all became attached very quickly. So proceed with great caution would be my advice. Some places offer a trial period which with hindsight would have been a very good idea for us.

Where has cost to me came into it? I don't want to buy from a breeder, I want to rescue.

Cross post as I see you want a puppy, may work out better for you. Good luck.

@BrandNewShinyThings that's really useful, thank you.

So find a decent breeder and pay.
Your post is all about what you want. Rescues don’t exist to give you what you want but to find the best homes for the dogs.
As stated above smaller rescues may consider younger children. But only if it suits the individual dog.

The disease situation is not to be ignored. I really disagree with importing rescue dogs ( or pedigrees as well).

I don't want to go to a breeder, I want to rescue. The rescue I'm dealing with currently are asking extensive questions about my home, my daughter, my experience etc.

Posted too soon.

They aren't just recommending any dog for me, they are assessing my home and giving me options based on that. I'm then choosing what would suit my home from those options.

Doesn’t mean they know the dogs and can make the best fit.
You want to rescue? Why?
If a rescue dog isn’t the right fit and no reputable rescue will let you have a puppy why wouldn’t you consider a breeder? Or is it that you don’t want to wait?

Two lovely Romanian dogs, no trouble, all paperwork in order and I would definitely do it again. Dogs are nervous but it has been a delight showing them a good life. Not for someone who is not up for learning about dog psychology and training them properly. Choose the rescue wisely, I did a lot of due diligence beforehand.

I would never go to a breeder myself, as iI think it is unethical when so many dogs need home, but that is my personal opinion.