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How to Buy a Puppy Abroad Safely

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How to Buy a Puppy Abroad Safely

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Dreaming of a puppy from abroad, but terrified of scams and shipping?
Finding the dog of your dreams often means looking beyond your local borders. Whether you are searching for a specific, rare breed, superior European dog quality with champion bloodlines, or a top-tier working dog, the perfect puppy might just be waiting for you in another country.

However, the idea of buying a dog internationally can be terrifying. How do you know the breeder is legitimate? How do you navigate international customs? And most importantly, how do you get your new best friend home safely?

Why Buying a Dog Abroad Doesn't Have to Be Scary

Trying to handle an international adoption on your own is incredibly risky, which is why utilizing professional certified pet delivery services like NewDoggy is the smartest choice you can make. Here is a breakdown of why paying for a professional international service provides absolute peace of mind.

🛡️ 1. Complete Security and Scam Prevention

The internet is unfortunately crawling with puppy scams. If you try to buy a dog abroad independently, you are risking sending thousands of dollars via wire transfer to a stranger in another country, hoping a dog actually shows up.

The Service Company Advantage Companies like NewDoggy act as a secure, regulated middleman. They thoroughly vet their network of breeders, ensuring they are ethical, licensed, and legitimate. Your financial transaction is protected by a registered company, meaning zero risk of being ghosted by a fake breeder. (Wondering if this setup is truly safe? Read exactly why NewDoggy is 100% legit).

🩺 2. Independent Veterinary Checks

When buying directly from a breeder overseas, you have to take their word—or the word of a vet they are friends with—that the puppy is healthy.

The Service Company Advantage A reputable international service mandates independent veterinary checks. Before any dog is cleared to travel, a neutral, third-party veterinarian conducts a comprehensive health examination. You get hard, medical proof—backed by a comprehensive NewDoggy Health Guarantee—not just a promise.

📑 3. Flawless Paperwork and Customs Clearance

International pet travel requires a mountain of constantly changing legal paperwork. You need microchip records, specific vaccinations (like rabies, administered on a strict timeline), health certificates, and import permits. One missing stamp or incorrectly dated document can result in your puppy being turned away at the border or placed in a lengthy quarantine.

The Service Company Advantage Pet concierge services do this every single day. They handle 100% of the bureaucratic red tape. They know exactly what the EU, US, or other international customs agencies require, ensuring your puppy's paperwork is flawless so they can walk right through customs and into your arms.

✈️ 4. A Stress-Free Shipping Experience

Putting a tiny puppy on an airplane is a daunting thought for any pet parent. If you do it alone, you are left navigating cargo rules, crate requirements, and airline embargoes.

The Service Company Advantage Companies like NewDoggy specialize in humane, comfortable pet transport. Depending on the route and the size of the dog, they organize the safest travel method possible. This often includes carefully monitored, climate-controlled pet cargo areas, or even specialized "flight nannies" who carry the puppy in the cabin and tend to them throughout the entire journey. You also receive flight tracking and continuous updates.

What to Consider Before Buying Abroad

While using a service like NewDoggy removes the stress from the equation, there are still a few things you should keep in mind as a buyer:

  • Wait Times: International travel requires strict vaccination schedules. For example, puppies traveling to certain countries cannot fly until they are at least 12 to 16 weeks old to allow their rabies vaccines to fully activate. Patience is key!
  • Breed Restrictions: Some countries and airlines have strict bans on importing specific breeds (like Pitbulls or certain Mastiffs) or flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs due to breathing risks at high altitudes. A service company will immediately flag these restrictions for you.
  • The Investment: Using an international service company costs more than buying a dog locally. However, you are not just paying for a pet; you are paying for premium logistics, independent medical guarantees, legal paperwork, and the absolute certainty that your dog will arrive safely.

Bringing a new dog into your family should be a joyful experience, not an anxious logistical nightmare. By partnering with a trusted international service, you can focus entirely on picking out toys and treats, knowing the experts are handling the rest. For a complete step-by-step breakdown of the process, read our full guide on how to buy a puppy safely.

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In case you plan to breed your dog or participate in dog shows, it is necessary to transfer your dog’s original FCI registered pedigree to a kennel club in your country. We provide you with the option to export your dog’s pedigree which you can present to your kennel club to obtain a local registration.

Basic Socialization Training - The Puppy Preschool

In this Puppy Training programme, your puppy will receive one hour of training per day with our Expert Trainer. It is the ideal program for those who wish to welcome home a puppy that knows the very basics, but wishes to teach the hardier stuff themselves. Our Team will send you weekly updates on your puppy’s progress in the form of videos. At the end of the training, your puppy will receive a certificate as proof of completing the programme.

Advanced Socialization Training - The Puppy Academy

This Training programme is extensive in nature. If you enrol your puppy in the Academy, your NewDoggy will live with the trainer for the duration of the program, being in training round-the-clock. By the end of this training, your puppy will be much better prepared to adapt to their new environment and you will have an easier time getting used to the newest member of your family. Our Team will send you updates on your puppy’s progress in the form of videos every 3 to 4 days. At the end of the training, your puppy will don a graduation cap and receive a certificate as proof of completing the programme.

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Any long-coated puppy can be groomed to your preferred style. Just send us some sample photos, and our professional groomer will groom your puppy to that style just before he/she is sent to you. All our pups get baths, nail clipping, and ear cleaning. The Designer Fashion Grooming Service also includes basic grooming on departure preparation (but not limited to): bathing, hygiene trimming, nail clipping & ear cleaning.

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The following is needed to bring a puppy into Dubai:


  1. All dogs entering Dubai from a low-risk country at least 15 weeks old, and those entering from a high-risk country must be at least 27 weeks old.
  2. Microchip – All dogs entering and residing in Dubai must be equipped with either a 9 or 15 digit microchip.
  3. Import Permit – All dogs entering Dubai must be equipped with a Special Permit from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. Valid for 30 days.
  4. Vaccinations* – Depending on the country of origin, your pet might need a rabies shot on top of all the age appropriate vaccinations. Dubai specific vaccinations: Canine Distemper Virus, Canine Parvo Virus, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Rabies.
  5. Rabies Titer Test * – All dogs entering Dubai must be tested for rabies no later than 14 days before the planned travel date. ( Only from specific
  6. Parasite check - All pets travelling to Dubai must receive preventive treatments against internal and external parasites in the 14 days before travel by an authorised and competent vet.
  7. Health Check – A Health Check by a veterinarian is mandatory in order to obtain permissions to enter Dubai.
  8. Pet Passport – This document verifies that the puppy is fully healthy and up-to-date on their vaccinations.


* The United Arab Emirates classifies all countries into two rabies categories:
  • Low-risk countries: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Falkland Island, Fiji, Finland, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montenegro, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Palau, Portugal, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, UK, and Vanuatu.
  • High-risk countries: All other countries are considered high-risk countries.
** Only for puppies from high-risk countries
Travel Requirements

The following is needed to bring a puppy into Abu Dhabi:


  1. All dogs entering Abu Dhabi from a low-risk country at least 15 weeks old, and those entering from a high-risk country must be at least 27 weeks old.
  2. Microchip – All dogs entering and residing in Abu Dhabi must be equipped with either a 9 or 15 digit microchip.
  3. Import Permit – All dogs entering Abu Dhabi must be equipped with a Special Permit from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. Valid for 30 days.
  4. Vaccinations* – Depending on the country of origin, your pet might need a rabies shot on top of all the age appropriate vaccinations. Abu Dhabi specific vaccinations: Canine Distemper Virus, Canine Parvo Virus, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Rabies.
  5. Rabies Titer Test * – All dogs entering Abu Dhabi must be tested for rabies no later than 14 days before the planned travel date. ( Only from specific
  6. Parasite check - All pets travelling to Abu Dhabi must receive preventive treatments against internal and external parasites in the 14 days before travel by an authorised and competent vet.
  7. Health Check – A Health Check by a veterinarian is mandatory in order to obtain permissions to enter Abu Dhabi.
  8. Pet Passport – This document verifies that the puppy is fully healthy and up-to-date on their vaccinations.


* The United Arab Emirates classifies all countries into two rabies categories:
  • Low-risk countries: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Falkland Island, Fiji, Finland, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, South Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Montenegro, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Palau, Portugal, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, UK, and Vanuatu.
  • High-risk countries: All other countries are considered high-risk countries.
** Only for puppies from high-risk countries
Travel Requirements

The following is needed to bring a puppy into Hong Kong:


  1. All dogs entering Hong Kong must be at least 3 months old.
  2. Microchip – All dogs entering and residing in Hong Kong must be equipped with either a 9 or 15-digit microchip.
  3. Import Permit – All dogs entering Hong Kong must be equipped with a Special Permit from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department. Valid for up to 6 months.
  4. Vaccinations* – Depending on the country of origin, your pet might need a rabies shot on top of all the age appropriate vaccinations. Hong Kong specific vaccinations: Canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, canine parvovirus and rabies.
  5. Health Check – A Health Check by a veterinarian is mandatory in order to obtain permissions to enter Hong Kong.
  6. Pet Passport – This document verifies that the puppy is fully healthy and up-to-date on their vaccinations.
  7. Captain’s Affidavit – Document to be provided by the airline personnel confirming that your dog has not left its crate or interacted with other pets at any point during the journey.


* Hong Kong classifies countries into 3 groups. Vaccinations against rabies are only required from Groups 2 & 3.
  • Group 1: Rabies-free countries (at least 6 months of residency) Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Bailiwick of Jersey.
  • Group 2: Rabies-controlled (at least 4 months of residency) Austria, Bahrain, Bermuda, Canada, Cyprus, Finland, Germany, Guam, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Vanuatu, Bahamas, Belgium, Brunei, Cayman Island, Denmark, France, Gibraltar, Iceland, Jamaica, Maldives, Mauritius, New Caledonia, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, The Netherlands, USA (Continental), Virgin Islands.
  • Group 3: All other countries.
** Only for puppies from high-risk countries
Travel Requirements

The following is needed to bring a puppy into Switzerland:


  1. All pets entering Switzerland must be equipped with a 15-digit microchip that is compliant with ISO 11784/11785.
  2. Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper.
  3. Rabies vaccinations are mandatory. Dogs must receive their first rabies vaccine at least 21 days before entering the country.*
  4. The state veterinarian of the origin country must equip the dog with a valid Health Certificate.
  5. Import Permit – all dogs entering from a 3rd level rabies country must carry an import permit issued at least three weeks in advance. Entry points through Basel, Geneva, Zurich.
  6. Different regulations depending on whether it is a commercial purchase or individual and where the dog is coming from.


* Specifications differ for booster shots. ** Switzerland categorises countries by level of risk of rabies in three levels.
  • Level 1: All EU Member States and Andorra, Switzerland, Faeroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greenland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Northern Ireland, Norway, San Marino, Vatican City State.
  • Level 2 (Low Risk of Rabies): Ascension Island, United Arab Emirates, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Aruba, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Barbados, Bahrain, Bermuda,Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, Belarus, Canada, Chile, Curaçao, Fiji, Falkland Islands, Great Britain (including Crown dependencies), Hong Kong, Jamaica, Japan, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Cayman Islands, Saint Lucia, North Macedonia, Montserrat, Mauritius, Mexico, Malaysia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, French Polynesia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Russia, Singapore, Saint Helena, Sint Marteen, Trinidad and Tobago, Taiwan, United States of America, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, British Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna.
  • Level 3: All other countries are considered as having a high risk of rabies.
Travel Requirements
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