I have absolutely no experience with breeders. My dog came from a rescue shelter. I'm afraid I cannot help you with what is the "norm" amongst breeders. If you feel suspicious, there is probably good reason.

On the other side of the matter... have you familiarized yourself with what it takes to bring a dog into Switzerland? I have no idea what breed you are looking into, but keep in mind, no dogs can be brought into Switzerland that have docked tails or cropped ears... the exception being it is a dog you have owned for over 6 months.

Wait - are you actually adopting or purchasing?? There is a difference but ultimately, you still do need to visit the puppy before deciding. Its not like online shopping for groceries, clothes or books. Have you even visited / interacted with the puppy in the breeder/rescue home?

Seriously, I personally wouldnt hand over a single thing if I havent. And a breeder/foster parent allowing a puppy to go to a new home without meeting the prospective owners sets off serious alarm bells. Caveat emptor.

Hope this thread will come in useful:
How to spot a reputable breeder

Also, with the new BVET laws on dog ownership, do have a look and research into the requirements for mandatory theory (for first time owners) and practical courses (for all new dog owners).

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Remember when someone annoys you, it takes 42 muscles to frown, BUT it only takes 4 muscles to extend your arm and b****-slap the mother-f***er upside the head.

Hopefully it is not one of those pet scams - I'd never allow anyone to have a copy of my passport. Ask for a copy of his / hers!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance...raud#Pet_scams

I have no experience with pet purchase here, but This doesn't sound normal.

I would abort this immediately if anyone other than the government requested such information.

Seriously.... passport information for a dog ???

why you going to italy? no dogs in Switzerland then?

Wouldn't by any chance be our Ben Arfa ? He seems to deal with pets, properties etc.

Two other things:

1. I wouldn't pay a cent to a breeder until I saw the quality of life the dog is raised in (i.e. The breeder, their establishment, the other dogs - how clean and respectible it is).

2. Why should you pay the deposit?
After all, it is you who will be inconveniencing yourself to travel such a distance with no guarantee you will be happy with the purchase.




Tell them you will come down to see everything, and if it's OK then you will pay.

It is of no inconvenience to the breeder if they sell to you or not.




Actually.... back to my first post. I would trust anyone who imposes these conditions.

Personally, I would just flattly tell them no. There are other breeders.

Alarm bells ringing here, too.

Never, ever, hand over money before you have visited the breeder/rescue. While some breeders do indeed ask for a deposit, this should only be done once you have met the breeder, passed passed the breeder's homing criteria, once you have determined that the breeder passes your criteria for ethics, responsibility, health of pups, etc. Once you have seen the dam (and sire where possible) and thoroughly vetted the pup's living conditions and socialization program, once you have seen the health certificates - only then should you proceed.

Unless you have a binding contract in writing, do not exchange money.

Same goes for any rescue organization.

Money upfront says BYB or naive breeder at best, scam or battery farmer at worst. Walk away. If the breeder is proposing to ship the dog to you then run away. That is the first sign of a battery farmer.

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That said, I have adopted from a shelter in Italy. The paperwork is easy, you just need to follow the BVet requirements:

http://bvet.bytix.com/plus/dbr/default.aspx?lang=de

Now - I took a vacation to visit my guy and spent a long time with him - got to know my dog's personality and needs, got to know the shelter staff - and they me - before finalizing the adoption. And this for a broken old collie that no one wanted .

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Do understand that some of the worst of the dog world hide behind the snazziest websites - caveat emptor.

Please read the thread Summerrain has linked. Then re-read it, and read it again.

What breed are you looking for? Perhaps someone can point you to an reputable breeder here - or you may even find the companion of your dreams in rescue.


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ETA: Coming from Italy, make sure you understand the risks of Leishmaniose...