Flying with a GSD Pup?

Konotashi · 12-13-2011, 04:49 AM

I was just curious about an alternative to having a puppy shipped.

There's a breeder I like in Washington. If I were to get a pup from there, my options are to have the pup shipped for around $400 or take a road trip up there, which would take about a day (if not longer) one way. Round trip would cost about the same as shipping, though.

I know some airlines allow pets in-cabin, as long as they can fit under your seat as carry-on. I was looking at prices for round trip flights, and it's less than $200. (Not including the $75 one-way fee to have the pup on board). The flight would be just under 3 hours. Rental car would be roughly $100, so the total would be under $400, and I would get to meet the breeder, see the facility, see the dam (maybe the sire), etc.

My questions are:
1. Would an 8 week old pup fit in a carrier that can fit in a space 19"L x 19"W x 8.25"H?
2. Will a GSD pup be okay in that sized crate for 3 hours for a flight?

Konotashi · 12-13-2011, 05:00 AM

EDIT: The flight would be around $330 round trip. (I was looking at one-way. Oops). So that would bring the total to about $525.

brembo · 12-13-2011, 06:00 AM

I would just drive, way less stressful in almost every conceivable way. Going thru security with a new pup and all the assorted bits and bobbles needed to travel with a dog would be a nightmare unto itself. With a car trip any emergency is handled by pulling over and taking your time to do things right. Imagine diarrhea on a flight, it would be awful. On a car trip it's not fun but something you can deal with at a rest stop or the like. You could even use the ride as a socialization exercise, take the scenic route and hit up some places you have always wanted to see WITH THE NEW DOG!

sddeadeye · 12-13-2011, 06:11 AM

I agree with Brembo on the drive. My border collie came from a breeder in Kansas. Originally I was going to have him flown in, but the weather was too cold to fly pups so I decided to drive down there to get him instead. I would do it again in a heartbeat and my next dog I will be driving to WI to pick up. WA is a lot farther of a trip for you than either of mine, and depending on time of the year and weather it may not be an option. But, it is still something I would consider.

I have never flown with a dog or had a dog flown in so I cannot offer specific experiences for either of those options.

Konotashi · 12-13-2011, 06:12 AM

A few reasons I was considering flying over driving is that flying is faster, driving for an entire day would be difficult and I would definitely need to stop and rest twice (either sleep in the car or find a hotel), and after driving for such a long period of time, I'd be super sore. Also, driving that long would make me super tired by the time I got home. New pup would probably have to spend more time in the crate if I need to take a nap. :/ I'd be willing to drive (would definitely be better if I could convince someone to come along), but it seems much more difficult. Plus if I brought someone, I don't think they'd be willing to sleep in the car. lol

Flight - fly for three hours, get home, let pup explore and spend time with pup.

Edit: Just looked up how much it would (approximately) cost to drive up there. With fluctuating gas prices, it makes it difficult. The other day it said just a bit over $200, now it's saying over $400. (One way). So that would be another factor, if gas prices climb back up, which they always do....

sddeadeye · 12-13-2011, 06:17 AM

When I drove to get my pup, I stopped and spent a night at a hotel on the way back. That way pup would get a break out of the car (slept in a crate) and I could get a nap. Of course, he was also older than 8 weeks.

Konotashi · 12-13-2011, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sddeadeye

When I drove to get my pup, I stopped and spent a night at a hotel on the way back. That way pup would get a break out of the car (slept in a crate) and I could get a nap. Of course, he was also older than 8 weeks.

If you don't mind me asking, how much did the trip cost altogether, roughly? Where were you coming/going from?

brembo · 12-13-2011, 06:19 AM

Remember a 3 hour in-air flight works out to about 7 or 8 hours of dealing with the airlines and being under their rule. Six hours minimum. I'd research the rules airlines impose for animals very carefully. Some airlines might be laid back, but my gut tells me to expect draconian rules and regs.

Konotashi · 12-13-2011, 06:22 AM

Here's Southwest's FAQ on flying with pets. (We always use Southwest if they're flying to where we're going). The only thing I saw that would really take longer than normal would be buying the ticket, since you can't get them online. You have to make a reservation then pick up the ticket at the counter. That, and letting puppy relive himself before boarding.

Pets

sddeadeye · 12-13-2011, 06:25 AM

I don't mind at all! I drove from Fargo, ND to Manhattan, KS. It was winter so I took my pickup just in case (small Ford Ranger) so it wasn't the best on gas. If I were to do it in warmer weather I would have taken my Toyota Corolla and saved lots on gas. I believe it was about a 600 mile drive. This was 4 years ago and I'm not sure what gas cost then, but I probably filled up twice on the way there and back. So, figuring about $50 for gas at each stop, that would run about $200. The hotel was a cheap Super 8, but they allowed my pup and gave me a room by an exit to take him out. The room was around $60. So, grand total for gas, food, and hotel was about $260. Again, this was several years ago, but it is a close average.

12-13-2011, 04:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
Konotashi Knighted Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,380	Flying with a GSD Pup? I was just curious about an alternative to having a puppy shipped. There's a breeder I like in Washington. If I were to get a pup from there, my options are to have the pup shipped for around $400 or take a road trip up there, which would take about a day (if not longer) one way. Round trip would cost about the same as shipping, though. I know some airlines allow pets in-cabin, as long as they can fit under your seat as carry-on. I was looking at prices for round trip flights, and it's less than $200. (Not including the $75 one-way fee to have the pup on board). The flight would be just under 3 hours. Rental car would be roughly $100, so the total would be under $400, and I would get to meet the breeder, see the facility, see the dam (maybe the sire), etc. My questions are: 1. Would an 8 week old pup fit in a carrier that can fit in a space 19"L x 19"W x 8.25"H? 2. Will a GSD pup be okay in that sized crate for 3 hours for a flight? __________________ Ozzy - Chocolate Pom "In a perfect world, every dog would have a home and every home would have a dog." My Photography

12-13-2011, 05:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
Konotashi Knighted Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,380	EDIT: The flight would be around $330 round trip. (I was looking at one-way. Oops). So that would bring the total to about $525. __________________ Ozzy - Chocolate Pom "In a perfect world, every dog would have a home and every home would have a dog." My Photography

12-13-2011, 06:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
brembo Master Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Here, of course Posts: 696	I would just drive, way less stressful in almost every conceivable way. Going thru security with a new pup and all the assorted bits and bobbles needed to travel with a dog would be a nightmare unto itself. With a car trip any emergency is handled by pulling over and taking your time to do things right. Imagine diarrhea on a flight, it would be awful. On a car trip it's not fun but something you can deal with at a rest stop or the like. You could even use the ride as a socialization exercise, take the scenic route and hit up some places you have always wanted to see WITH THE NEW DOG! __________________ I seem to have misplaced my occipital lobe, and as such cannot search for it. Do you see my dilemma?

12-13-2011, 06:12 AM	#5 (permalink)
Konotashi Knighted Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,380	A few reasons I was considering flying over driving is that flying is faster, driving for an entire day would be difficult and I would definitely need to stop and rest twice (either sleep in the car or find a hotel), and after driving for such a long period of time, I'd be super sore. Also, driving that long would make me super tired by the time I got home. New pup would probably have to spend more time in the crate if I need to take a nap. :/ I'd be willing to drive (would definitely be better if I could convince someone to come along), but it seems much more difficult. Plus if I brought someone, I don't think they'd be willing to sleep in the car. lol Flight - fly for three hours, get home, let pup explore and spend time with pup. Edit: Just looked up how much it would (approximately) cost to drive up there. With fluctuating gas prices, it makes it difficult. The other day it said just a bit over $200, now it's saying over $400. (One way). So that would be another factor, if gas prices climb back up, which they always do.... __________________ Ozzy - Chocolate Pom "In a perfect world, every dog would have a home and every home would have a dog." My Photography Last edited by Konotashi; 12-13-2011 at 06:16 AM.

12-13-2011, 06:19 AM	#8 (permalink)
brembo Master Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Here, of course Posts: 696	Remember a 3 hour in-air flight works out to about 7 or 8 hours of dealing with the airlines and being under their rule. Six hours minimum. I'd research the rules airlines impose for animals very carefully. Some airlines might be laid back, but my gut tells me to expect draconian rules and regs. __________________ I seem to have misplaced my occipital lobe, and as such cannot search for it. Do you see my dilemma?

12-13-2011, 06:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
sddeadeye Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: North Dakota Posts: 241	I agree with Brembo on the drive. My border collie came from a breeder in Kansas. Originally I was going to have him flown in, but the weather was too cold to fly pups so I decided to drive down there to get him instead. I would do it again in a heartbeat and my next dog I will be driving to WI to pick up. WA is a lot farther of a trip for you than either of mine, and depending on time of the year and weather it may not be an option. But, it is still something I would consider. I have never flown with a dog or had a dog flown in so I cannot offer specific experiences for either of those options.

12-13-2011, 06:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
sddeadeye Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: North Dakota Posts: 241	When I drove to get my pup, I stopped and spent a night at a hotel on the way back. That way pup would get a break out of the car (slept in a crate) and I could get a nap. Of course, he was also older than 8 weeks.

12-13-2011, 06:22 AM	#9 (permalink)
Konotashi Knighted Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,380	Here's Southwest's FAQ on flying with pets. (We always use Southwest if they're flying to where we're going). The only thing I saw that would really take longer than normal would be buying the ticket, since you can't get them online. You have to make a reservation then pick up the ticket at the counter. That, and letting puppy relive himself before boarding. Pets __________________ Ozzy - Chocolate Pom "In a perfect world, every dog would have a home and every home would have a dog." My Photography

12-13-2011, 06:25 AM	#10 (permalink)
sddeadeye Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: North Dakota Posts: 241	I don't mind at all! I drove from Fargo, ND to Manhattan, KS. It was winter so I took my pickup just in case (small Ford Ranger) so it wasn't the best on gas. If I were to do it in warmer weather I would have taken my Toyota Corolla and saved lots on gas. I believe it was about a 600 mile drive. This was 4 years ago and I'm not sure what gas cost then, but I probably filled up twice on the way there and back. So, figuring about $50 for gas at each stop, that would run about $200. The hotel was a cheap Super 8, but they allowed my pup and gave me a room by an exit to take him out. The room was around $60. So, grand total for gas, food, and hotel was about $260. Again, this was several years ago, but it is a close average.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
German Shepherd Advertisement