Long distance puppy flights/car trips - Page 1

I have another question and this one is about the location of breeders in relation to my home. Is it OK for a puppy to be on a long flight with one or two stopovers from a breeder who is a couple of thousand miles away? THe airplane trip may take several hours. I've heard tales of horor from airport workers on how they "play" with animals from time to time. The thought of this torture combined with several hours of air travel and noise/confusion/sickness would seem to me to damage the pup in some way. Am I correct or too concerned over nothing? Is it better to fly out there for the purchase and drive the puppy home, even if it takes 3 or 4 days to do so? 3 days in a car and I'm suffering, and so is my wife, and I would imagine a puppy suffering the same. This seems like a no-win situation. I live in the southern US, but looking at breeders everywhere for my pup - including Canada and northern US. Found some good ones up there that I don't want to eliminate from consideration due to distance. Is there an answer to this problem that some of you might have had success with?

Hey T-Bone. this might help: http://www.continental.com/travel/policies/animals/default.asp

couple thoughts on this topic... if you fly there, a pup is probably small enough to go as carry-on and stay with you in the cabin. if the pup will be shipped, it's worth driving a bit more to go to an airport that offers direct flights. regarding airport staff: i picked up an adult dog last friday at delta cargo, and the staff there couldnt wait for me to take the dog out so they could see and pet him. they could not have been nicer.

my pup had several stops and a connecting flight they only watered here changed her bedding midway and were professional about it all she arrived non stressed and in wonderful condition with continental and believe me I was very worried about the long time several changes and stress on her but she bounced right on out of the crate like it was just a big walk in the park for her after 13 hours of travel

Lots of pets are shipped via air. Most of the horror stories are a thing of the past. Airlines simply cannot afford such bad PR these days, the competition is too tough. In the US Continental is considered to be one of the best in regard to animal shipping. From Germany it is Lufthansa. LH has their own animal stations at every airport they service. One reason why they have no heat and cold embargos, like some of the other airlines. I have flown with my dogs many times on long distance flights and all has always been well. I have also shipped my dogs or young pups on trips that spanned as much as 22 hours with all the stop overs. Never had a problem. For pups on a long trip a crate one size larger than necessary may be a good idea, and lots of absorbent matieral. Cardboard has worked best so far, the pups have a harder time destroying or eating it when bored. Shredded paper often gets munched on. At this time of year, there are certain routes or airlines in North America that will not take animals, because of weather restrictions. Also, some airlines offer a priority service (counter to counter). How an airline deals with animals and what services they offer is very individual. As a rule, they are aware of how precious the cargo is and usually treat travelling pets very well. Not all planes are equipped on all the routes to take on animal cargo though, so booking a pet takes a bit of research. Once you get a proper booking for the routing you need, you should not have a cause for worry. If you have detailed questions re shipping via air, or on the purchase of your future puppy, please feel free to contact me.

So far the info has been helpful...thanks all. I know pups are shipped all the time by reputable breeders all over the US and world, and they wouldn't do it if it wasn't safe for the pup. That should have been my first clue right? At the same time its good to hear some experiences from people and for the tips on working out the best most direct flight for the pup. I appreciate it folks.

Here the link for Delta, which I use a lot shipping out of Albuquerque, NM http://www.delta.com/travel/special_services/pet_travel/domestic_international/shipping_rates/index.jsp I've shipped international with Lufthansa in and out of the usa. As long as the breeder crate trains the pup, puts a blankie in it with the smell of its siblings, dam and other dogs it lives with, it should have no trouble arriving happy.

My puppy came from Germany via Lufthnsa air cargo - to JFK with no problems except his wee wee pads and him were soaked in pee !!! Hey, at least he did not HURL !! He had an over 8 hour flight (plus had to be at GK early in the morning prior to his flight - and spent an additional 4 hours on the ground at KENNEDY between Air Cargo and Customs - He was tired, but not sick -- and was fine the next day -- never missed a meal. This is a testimony to his 'good breeding' !! A friend bought an adult from Canada -- and when she arrived at Air Cargo to get him -- (not in New York - but on the East Coast) they air freight workers from the airline had let him out of the crate (for exercise) and he was running around the tarmac -- $6,000 dog running loose at the airport (and this was many many years ago so that price would be many times that today -- gee wiz !!! Good thing he was smarter than the employees and hung around to get picked up by his new owner !!! Some breeders will not ship to connecting flights - I know a person who had to fly herself from California to New York in order to pick up her pup from Europe -- and then make her own arrangements from east to west coast -- But she said it was "worth the trip". I would do it again, myself, and probably will in APRIL if all goes well !

Hello all! Another idea, that many of my clients choose is to fly here or meet at the airport and fly back with the puppy in the cabin...costs are usually less and if the pup is crate trained they do very well. There is a weight limit...25lbs usually. We find it easier to put pups traveling alone on non-stop flights...sometimes this means traveling a little farther on this end, but it is well worth it for the pups sake. We have also met clients half way to hand deliver their new pup. =)

I had my puppy flown from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada to NY's Laguardia airport. He had one stop over in Toronto. When I got to him at the Air Canada Cargo in NY, he was great! Opened the kennel latch and he licked my face. No mess in the kennel at all. They gave him some water in Toronto, no exercise. I was worried about the trip, but it turned out just fine.