I have heard of a broker for K9s they say supplies many police forces, in Albany, New York I believe - all Czech imports. Any thoughts on them?

Is there a website available? Maybe some of the people might know who they are seeing names.

I'll try and find the name - I wrote it down but don't know where I put it to be honest.

I normally stick to police dog type questions and this one is somewhat related. The biggest problem with buying dogs is that the dog is often misrepresented to the department buying it. Combine that with a lack of knowledge by the department gaining the dog, and a lack of skills by the handler and you end up with a product that at best is unsatisfactory, at worst, bad case law. And yet the police are their own worse enemies in this situation. If departments that are attempting to buy dogs, for whatever purpose, would use the same procedures they do for buying cars, guns and bullets, and copiers, they would reduce the amount of problems they have with canines regardless of the broker, breeder or trainer they acquire the dogs from. The process is in place for everything but dogs, and that is Specifications, bids and then the most important function, testing the product before purchase. Often times because the dog is a living being, objectivity goes out the window. It is, afterall, in the police business, a piece of equipment that must function when needed. I've seen the results of dogs purchased because the records were in tact, the video showed the dog performing just like he was supposed to, but a funny thing happened on the way to the real show. So regardless of where you buy your dog, Test, test test. You set up the test that fits the job specifications you have written. Have the test performed in your area, using your decoys, or your drugs or your explosives. While it may cost a bit more, because of travel etc, remember you get what you pay for.

DFrost

Dfrost explains part of the problem with the brokering of dogs. But, one of the great problems in brokering dogs are the plethera of "experts" among law enforcement that blame the broker for their inability to perform the needed work and evaluations. I stand on both sides of the fence and have experienced being screwed by departments and having been downright screwed by brokers.
On the department side I see "instructors" show up, buy a nice green dog only to have them (read mess up)the dog and return it as inadaquate for any reason that they could use to do so. When later down the road i have taken the same dog placed it into service and watched it have a superb career.
It has caused me to ONLY sell green dogs to people I am familiar with in regards to their training or to only sell a dog with a handler training course. When I do it this way I have very few propblems and those that I do have can be traced to lack of maintenence training or some unforseen health problem like cancer, liver desease, etc.
The problem in brokering dogs is two fold. Brokers who will sell anything that they can and departmental personel that believe they know more than they do and to save face blame a broker that sold them what they ask for. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Test, test, test........AT NIGHT

When buying a dog from brokers you must beware, and test the dogs. There are many people that are just trying to move a dog, and really could not careless about your needs. Then when the dog does not work out they find a problem with your training or something to the like.

I have been screwed by many brokers here in the States. I have never been screwed by brokers in Europe, but let me tell you I know many that have. There is a well known guy that is a broker, and he will send you a great dog. But if you are the type of person that imports alot of dogs, he will slip a dog in that is less then what you might need, and then blame you. Now when you have that dog landed in the US and have several thousand dollars in him, alot of brokers will resell the dog to try and recapture some of thier money on this animal. This is not uncommon.

There are some good dog-brokers out there- one just has to really look at what they are purchasing.

There is a flip-side to the coin. When you sell a nice young dog and someone buys the dog and breaks him, and then returns the dog, what is one to do. At the least it leaves a sour taste in one's mouth.

Mr. Sheldahl

You are absolutely correct. I should have pointed out that it can be a two pronged problem. Either not testing the dog, or a department not having the expertise to train the dog once it is obtained. I too, have seen both sides of that equation. Havning never worked as a vendor or private trainer, I can only imagine the headaches that might bring. I do however feel that the department, and I guess this would apply to buying a trained dog, moreso than a green one, needs to have a list of specifications, and then test the animal to ensure those specifications are met. A green dog can always fail training, even in the hands of a qualified trainer.

DFrost