|
Importing a Russian Spaniel puppy
from Russia to the USA?
Are we crazy???
|
|
|
We asked RSC members who have imported their
dogs through the club to write a few sentences about their experiences with
importation of a Russian Spaniel puppy into the USA. Here is what they had to
say...
|
|
|
|
We had no trouble acquiring our Russian
Spaniel. We were not hesitant at all
about importing him. The Russian Spaniel club was
helpful in explaining the
procedure and in acquiring our pup. It was painless.
Peggy Fitt, owner of Rimsky-Korsakov (Rimi), Houston,
TX
|
|
|
Getting our dog Riley here from Russia was
so easy. So many people were skeptical when I told
them I was importing a Russian Spaniel - no one
could believe I wired the money and really believed
I would actually get a dog, never mind a healthy
dog, in return! Anna kept in touch via email so we
knew the progress of Riley's shots,
and once he got them, we knew it would be about 30
days. He came into San Francisco on a Saturday afternoon,
we picked up the paperwork
at the cargo terminal, took it to customs, they stamped
it, then we took it back and got our dog!! It took
less than an hour after he
landed to have him. Riley is the most amazing dog
- smart and loyal. He has been with us for going
on two weeks and he fits right in with
the family, is "almost" potty trained, sleeps 9 hours
through the night, and has a clean bill of health
from our vet. Her comment
after his visit was "you've got yourself one wonderful dog" and
we agree!
Kim Wolkenmuth, owner of Riley, Danville,
CA
|
|
|
We had been waiting
to add a dog to our life for a long time. When I
started looking for one, I knew exactly the characteristics
I was looking for but not the kind of dog that fit
those needs. I went to the internet, filled out a
survey and was surprised to see a Russian Spaniel.
I fell in love instantly. The website led me to the
Russian Spaniel Club and Anna. We kept in touch with
Anna for several months, waiting for our puppy to
become available. When we were told that there were
some puppies available, I looked at the pictures
and immediately knew that I wanted Puppy 1. Living
in Alaska made the arrangements a bit more difficult
but with patience, a little bit of worry, help from
alot of strangers and an overnight stop in San Francisco,
Raina finally arrived the first week of October.
She is everything we hoped for and has brought much
joy
to our lives.
We were very skeptical at first about getting
her over the internet, from
Russia, from people we didn't know. It was a large sum of money to be sending
to someone with no guarantees. And I am amazed at how everything did eventually
work out with only one missed flight. Raina is healthy, happy and a bundle
of energy and we are very happy to have her!
Vicky Mathews, owner of Raina, Anchorage,
AK
|
|
|
If you are serious about
importing a Russian Spaniel Puppy, the Russian Spaniel
Club and Anna are the way to do it! When we decided
a Russian Spaniel was the puppy for us, we were very
skeptical about importing it from Russia. We were
nervous about sending a large amount of money to
Russia, to a stranger, without any guarantees. We
wondered if we would ever see a puppy; and if we
did see a puppy, would it really be a Russian Spaniel
puppy. Well, we not only saw a Russian Spaniel puppy
at the cargo terminal at the airport; we saw OUR
happy, healthy, friendly Russian Spaniel puppy. Our
vet's office was thrilled to actually meet a Russian
Spaniel and she received a clean bill of health from
them. Elena, our puppy keeper, took very good care
of Nika and she has had no problems adjusting to
our family (including our son's black lab/airedale
mix who visits often). She melts the hearts of everyone
who meets her!
Stephen and Chris Ramsey, owners of Nika(Nerl'), Lafayette,
IN
|
|
|
We spent six months looking at different
breeds trying to find one that fit with us. The one dog that embodied
everything we were looking for was the Russian Spaniel. I was very
hesitant about getting a dog through the internet. I requested to
speak directly to one of the club officers to relieve my anxiety.
The VP gave me her number and spoke over the phone. I felt more secure
and three weeks later had a beautiful baby girl. Her name is Belka
and she is everything that we hoped she would be. I would deffinitely
do it agaiin. The club officers are very helpful and accommodating
and made the experience of getting a Russian Spaniel from Russia straightforward
and troublefree.
Meredith Myers, owner of Beloshka,
Tucson, AZ.
|
|
|
When I decided to get a dog, I knew what
personality traits, mannerisms, size, temperament that
I wanted, so when I got to the Russian Spaniel,
read the information - then I saw the picture. I
was in love - they were
perfect. I looked for breeders - ended up with one
source, Anna from the
Russian Spaniel Club. I contacted her to find out more information and where
I can find a puppy. Imagine the surprise when she says Russia - I almost let
the conversation end, the $ signs flew across my head but I asked more questions
and found out that it wasn't any difference price wise than buying a AKC registered
puppy here. So we started the process of finding a litter (or I should say
Anna did). She found the litter, contacted the breeder, made
all
of the arrangements and even introduced me to a couple
in San Jose that
wanted a puppy and we were able to split some of
the costs, Fran and
Brian.
I think our journey was a little more unique being
that we were bringing
2
pups together and had a carrier and we had a few
road blocks and I
didn't
let out my breath until they landed in the US. I
did have a few
reservations
wiring money to someone that I didn't know in a country
that I had never been for a pup that I had never
held and only had a picture. It was a
great
leap of faith and I would do it again. Chelsee is
the most wonderful dog with a bright personality
and is the joy of my life. So much so that I
am now thinking of bringing over another pup in the
future. Oh, and Chelsee's sister Tillie - we stay
in touch and let the girls visit each other.
They are family now.
Becky Hadley, owner of Chelsee Baby, Los Angeles, CA |
|
|
I found the Club by searching for "Russian
Spaniel" on the Internet. Even though
I am from Ukraine and could have done everything
myself, I wanted professional people to find and
deliver the dog. With this letter I would like to
thank Anna and Liz, who were in touch with clubs
in Russia for couple of months, and in the end,
gave me an opportunity to choose the puppy I was
looking for. For those who can not decide, I
would like to say that it's big issue to find healthy
and strong puppy in USA, because
of inbreeding. Russian breeders
always had serious concerns for breeding healthy
dogs. I can truly say that by buying
a puppy from Russia you are
not only
getting faithful friend, but also a
healthy and strong puppy!!!
Iryna Grutman, owner of Betty Docya, Chicago, IL |
|
|
I have made many purchases over the internet, but
buying Anya through the
internet and the Russian Spaniel Club tops them all!
From the start, I felt very
comfortable purchasing a puppy with the help of the
Russian Spaniel Club. They
answered the questions I had about the breed and
were very knowledgable. The
actual process of getting my puppy, Anya, to me was
very simple and quick. She
arrived healthy and has settled into our family amazingly
well. She cuddles
with the cat and is becoming obedient. I am amazed
at how intelligent she is
and how quickly she learns. On her second day in
the U.S. the dog trainer met
with us and kept saying, "Are you sure you haven't taught her
that already?" The Russian Spaniel Club is true to its name as I feel
it really is a "club" or
family. I enjoy seeing updated pictures of the other
Russian Spaniels and
seeing new puppies added. I am thankful for having
Anya and give that thanks to
the Russian Spaniel Club.
Alicia Murphy, owner of Frantiska Anya, McAllen, TX |
|
|
|
Last year we lost our beloved beagle Bailey, and were
soon looking for a new puppy. since we are embarking on a 3 year adventure
aboard our boat, we has a long list of characteristics we wanted in
a dog. after an extensive internet search, we came across The Russian
spaniel, only to find out they were not available in this country.
we contacted the russian Spaniel club, and anna took us by the hand
and led us through the process and stuck with us even though there
were some up's and down's and some breath holding times. Finally our
puppiy Tilley along with her sister Chelsee arrived in Houston, an
Fran and I drove there to pick them up. This would have been somewhere
between very difficult and impossible to do with out the club and
especially Anna's help.
Fran and Brian Jacobs, owners of Chantilly Lace, Los Gatos, CA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|