Picking up puppy - tier 4

[Poniesbest]

Hi, we are expecting to pick up our puppy shortly- but are now in tier 4. Breeder is in tier 2. Am pretty sure I’m not allowed to travel but breeder seems a bit unkeen on my solution of a dog transport company. They mentioned they thought puppies were livestock for these purposes. Whilst I’d have liked to have been there in person the company has great reviews and I think the rules are clear. Also it’s too far to go there and back in one day - but hotels won’t want us. Is there any guidance I can send to the breeder to explain it’s not okay for me to travel?

We also did an almost 5 hour trip there and back in one day for a puppy. It was fine, we stopped once on the way back to let the puppy have wee and not any other time.

It was an awful day and my bum was numb but we survived.

It is possible to do without stopping everywhere but obviously not ideal in terms of law breaking!

Not to pick up a puppy but I regularly did an 8 hour+ round trip to visit a sick relative in a day. It's tiring but perfectly doable and if you can share the driving even better.

As to whether it is allowed within the rules I don't know.

CSFG are responsible for guidance and advice for all dog professionals including breeders

It is the breeders responsibility to deliver the puppy - it is their "work"

CSFG Guidance this will be updated in the next few days re changes with Tier 4

Or have you just seen a litter online and are being given a random pup without the breeder meeting you?
Do people actually read OP's posts? She's been waiting since January for this puppy.

OP, I'd call the KC, and failing that would see, if the breeder is completely anti the pet transport company, they would arrange to bring you the puppy. We got a puppy during lockdown and while we were close enough to the breeder to collect, she had to air freight one and did a massively long delivery run with some of the others. That was in line with KC guidance at the time.

No, not an online litter. . And we have done all correct checks - plus my parents (who also have working dogs of the same breed) know them from shoots etc . All sorted thankfully - they were relectuant due to bad experiences years ago with a dog transporter. They now have another owner in the same boat, so they are going to drive both pups down (and obv we will pay them for that too). Win, win, as the pup will be with someone they know, we know that they will be superbly looked after, they are legal to do so as it’s part of their business and we don’t break any rules. Phew!

Hi Poniesbest. Glad you sorted our the situation! I am on a similar boat with our puppy, would you mind sharing the transporter details so I can look into that option please? Thanks and best wishes

We are getting our puppy after lockdown is lifted. Our breeder doesn't allow families to collect puppies just before Christmas. We will have to wait until mid January now which is sensible for both parties, IMO. Gives us time to get organised.

Glad you sorted out transport. Enjoy your puppy OP

We and our breeder have just gone into Tier 4 and we are really concerned that we may not be able to collect our puppy in a week’s time. The .GOV guidance would seem to work in our favour although collecting a puppy is not mentioned in the T4 regulations. It’ll be a round trip of about 6 hours so easily doable in a day but we would like to have some concrete guidance rather than it coming down to the interpretation of anyone who might stop us on the day. We know the breeder and although we had to choose our puppy online, are not worried about that side of things. The handover would obviously take place outside. We really don’t want to use a pet courier which has to be a less safe option as we rarely leave the house whereas they could have mixed with anyone. Also we can’t see how this would be better for the dog’s welfare rather than being collected and looked after en route by its new owners. The KC advice seems to say it’s ok but we’d really like to have more confidence in the official guidance. Does anyone have any experience of this in a practical sense please? What I’d really like is something official to print out and take with me!

We are in a situation where we have been to see the puppies, chat with breeder, etc. It's just now a case of waiting until all the lockdown measures have eased. Stressful time for everyone at the moment.

Hopefully it all works out for you too Simon.

@Simon3694 the only official information apart from the gov sites is the link above from CSFG.

Kennel club base their recommendations on the CSFSG information. In all lockdowns it has been the breeders responsibility to deliver the puppy to the new owner - not the owner collect the puppy. As the breeder is classed as "work".

@PollyRoulson Thanks Polly. I did see your earlier post. This is really helpful information.

Could you hire a campervan for the day? There are hire companies for campervans & motorhomes, we’ve often seen them when we’ve been away in ours. That way you could easily rest, have food & even a toilet on board. If you pick the right one. As long as you get one under three & a half tons a normal car driver’s licence will surfice.

We are also due to pick up a puppy shortly. The government guidelines state “Breeders and rescue centres should make arrangements to deliver your pet to you when it is ready to be rehomed. Where this is not possible, and it is reasonably necessary for the pet’s welfare, you may collect the animal. You may collect your pet by appointment only.”

So, if the breeder is unable to deliver to you (which is the case for us as they are over 3 hours drive away), you are allowed to collect. I suppose whether it is reasonably necessary for the pet’s welfare is a judgement call, but there could be a reasonable argument either way.

Guidance is on this page: www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-with-animals

We are doing a return visit (outdoors) tomorrow to see the puppies and parents. If all goes well, the breeder is going to bring the puppy to us next week 🤞