Thanks for the feedback. I will be starting my search with suggested breeders in VA first but am totally open to looking anywhere east of the Mississippi. I don't mind a drive and prefer to meet the breeder, dogs and see environment dogs have been raised in. I hope the breeder would want to meet me to confirm their screening decision to entrust me with the lifetime care of one of their dogs.
As for looking outside of the US, I don't see that as an option for me at this time. Canada border restrictions have been extended and quite frankly I don't see that changing considering the rapidly increasing case numbers in the US. Having been stationed Korea and Germany, I have flown with my dogs before. Even under the best conditions, it is stressful on a dog. Ground temperature restrictions, flight delays or cancellations, layovers, switching planes.....I was there in case a problem were to arise. Under the right conditions and circumstances, I could see flying a pup/dog unaccompanied cargo on a short direct flight but that would be because the breeder and I had a longstanding relationship.
