Shipping a puppy

[jjc11]

Has anyone shipped a puppy or purchased from an out of state breeder? What is the best method?

Thanks,

Jeff

[CanadianGolden423]

I shipped a puppy all the way from Canada. We actually had someone (my mother) fly to pick the puppy up. The breeder met her at a hotel near the airport with the puppy we were getting and also the pup the breeder was keeping (so my puppy wouldn't be lonely). The breeder stayed overnight with my mother and the puppies and then my mother came home with the puppy the next morning. She had a Sherpa bag for the pup, but apparently she flew on a bit of a puddle-jumper and the few people on the plane with her loved the puppy, so she spent most of the flight curled up asleep in the seat next to my mother, not in the bag. This worked really well, no problems, and I don't think there was any charge. The airline had to be notified about the puppy, and she had to have a health certificate to fly, but otherwidr nothing special. Good luck with your puppy.

Samra

[jjc11]

I wasn't very clear in my post - let me add some detail.

I know I can fly out and get the pup but that is a time problem for me now. I guess I was wondering if someone had shipped a dog without traveling out to get him/her.

Can you ship them on an airplane? How do breeders ship their dogs?

Thanks,

Jeff

[deadmanh]

Jeff, do you mean that you want to have the puppy shipped to you without you coming there to pick him/ her out or any prior observation? for myself i would find that difficult to do, but it seems that it is a normal thing to do.


canadiangolden423, when your puppy went on the airplane, in the passenger compartment, would you have had problems with the airline if the puppy had been a whiner, barker, etc???

[jjc11]

I've already purchased the dog - I have a very good friend and a great dog guy help in the process. The breeder was known to him and I spoke with the breeder on the phone and gave her our families requirements. They sent several photos and after interviewing us she ultimately picked the dog (which is pretty much what happens when you go to a good breeder from what I've ready). I've actually got another form of transportation lined up, but in case it falls through I wanted to know how/who ships dog.

Every breeder in the midwest who sells dogs to California pet stores has to get them out here someway - I'm assuming the majority of them use a humane method.

Jeff

[johnwa]

Yes. It is "technically" possible. However, there are rules and restrictions.

Here are some site references that you can refer to:

Worldwide Pet Shipping - www.jet-a-pet.com
Pet Air - www.flypets.com/
Air Animal Pet Moving Service - www.airanimal.com/index.htm

[lotagoldens]

Shipping a dog/puppy can be an simple feat, or a major headache depending on the airline you deal with. Occasionally I will ship a puppy I have bred, but I prefer not to. Distance can become the deciding factor, I have used airlines to transport puppies to and from both coasts as I feel it it is less stress to the puppy than spending days in a car with a stranger! Your breeder should be acclimating your puppy to a 200 crate (the size most Golden babies are shipped in), loud noises (I constantly run the shop-vac around the babies while they are playing or eating so loud noises are not associated with negative experiences), and of course strangers. The breeder should be able to recommend an airline that they have had success with. Midwest Express is a favorite in this area. Select a DIRECT flight for two reasons, the first is that baggage handling personel are not always gentle and second because most cargo hold areas are NOT air conditioned....it can be dangerous for an animal to remain in the cargo hold of a taxing airplane. This time of year you will find many airlines have embargos and will not ship live animals if the temperature reaches a certain level by a certain time....this is on BOTH ENDS of the flight and it can be tricky getting a puppy in the air. (I once had a puppy that was ready to go in October. I could not ship him until he was five-and-a-half months old since the temps. were too cold in one location or the other!)Last but not least I always ask the airline how many dogs are traveling in the cargo hold on my chosen flight; the fewer the better. Your puppy may be just fine traveling but a distressed traveling partner can make the trip stressful. I will tell you I am always white knuckled and fingernail-less waiting for my critter....and the animal usually greats me with a stretch and a yawn as if to say, "Gee, that was a nice nap!"

Good luck with your new baby,
Lotagoldens:)
P.S. You may also inquire about "counter to counter" service. Most airlines no longer offer it, and it is expensive, but the puppy is unloaded first...BEFORE everything and everyone else.

[jjc11]

Great - thank you very much.

Jeff

[Popeye77]

I bought my pup out of Virginia. He was flown in by Delta. They have pet shipping service on their web site. Continental was the breeders first choice but we couldn't get the right flight. I would reccommend getting a direct flight. Mine was in his crate about 7 hours. He was raising 7 kinds of HE%@# when I picked him up. He got over it pretty quick I slept with on the couch for about 3 or 4 nights then put him in his crate at night. Jeffers Pet Supply has a pretty good deal on the crates and they will ship it to your breeder. Fosters and Smith is good also although they sent a cat crate instead of a dog crate the first time
Mike

[bebe_de_chocolate]

(I once had a puppy that was ready to go in October. I could not ship him until he was five-and-a-half months old since the temps. were too cold in one location or the other!)Last but not least I always ask the airline how many dogs are traveling in the cargo hold on my chosen flight; the fewer the better. Your puppy may be just fine traveling but a distressed traveling partner can make the trip stressful. I will tell you I am always white knuckled and
P.S. You may also inquire about "counter to counter" service. Most airlines no longer offer it, and it is expensive, but the puppy is unloaded first...BEFORE everything and everyone else.

Goldie traveled by herself when we moved to Arizona because it was too hot for animals to be in the cargo hold until after November! She was on a direct flight and was unloaded before anything else. SHe did great and wasn't anxious at all, even though the vet had prescribed antianxiety meds, she never needed it.

[Golden Rex]

Hi! I am new to this board, but have been browsing around for a few weeks. I own a 3 year old golden - Rex. My family and I are moving to France this summer and Rex will have to fly from O'Hare (US) to Paris. Am curious what brand of crate people have purchased for airplane flights. Rex sleeps in his crate every night so he is very used to the crate, but the one he sleeps in is not approved for airline travel so I will need to purchase a new one. I am hoping to find one online that I can order and have sent to the house.

Thanks.

Golen Rex

[mtee1958]

I don't remember the name of the crate Bailey flew in - but it's the heavy plastic ones. You can call the airlines and they will tell you all the requirements needed. They are pretty good at letting you know everything. I went on Delta's website and found everything I needed. I know you need medical records etc. Overseas, I assume, has more restrictions.

I'm sure you will find lots of help here -- I didn't seem to tell you anything specific did I? :o

[GoldenBoys]

Wish I could offer more help, but I did ship a Boston Terrier pup to Germany a few months ago, and we used Delta....didn't have any problems.

[Just Mike]

Hi,

We are new to the site and from the Chicago area. We're considering purchasing a puppy that will need to be shipped to us from out-of-state. Can anyone give advice such as pros and cons, any possible problems, tips, and so on. All comments and advice will be appreciated. Thanks in advance for the help...

Mike

[Jo Ellen]

Shipped by plane, I assume? How far?

Would it be possible for you to fly to pick him up yourself? I know someone who did that with their puppy and they didn't have to put him in cargo.

[Just Mike]

I'm guessing the flight will take from 90-120 minutes. Unfortunately we wouldn't be able to fly out to make the pickup ourselves...

[CaynCher]

Many breeders ship pups. My parents had a rare breed pup shipped from Oregon to Florida with no problems & they were very happy with him. I have never gone the shipping route as I want to see beforehand what I am getting. As far as pros/cons go-if you must have a pup from a particular breeder & are satisfied with pictures & can't go to pick up the pup then shipping may be the only way. A con might be the temperature during the summer months depending where you live. Some breeders won't ship to Florida during the summer. Getting a contract from the breeder would be a plus in case the pup did not survive the flight or arrived in an unhealthy condition.

:dogbark :reddogx

[DebsDog]

I am flying to pick up my new puppy next month. I will fly United and it is a connecting flight. I will take the puppy in the aircraft cabin with me and he will be in a carrier under the seat. My puppy will be 10 weeks old and will weigh between 15-17 pounds.

This is what I have learned:

Only a few dogs can ride in each aircraft cabin. You must call ahead and reserve a spot on your flight

United charges an additional $85.00 per pet each way

You must carry your pet in a kennel of specific size. I purchased mine at Walmart. 18x11x11

The puppy can not come out of the bag during the flight
The puppy must be at least 8 weeks old and you must provide a note from the Vet.

The puppy can not weigh more than 20 pounds

I did not feel comfortable sending a new puppy alone on a connecting flight so I have chosen to make the long trip.


:dogbark