[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I have to differ with you a bit, Madelaine. We have flown our golden retriever to Paris and to Germany and back several times. Each time the purser has come back to us with information that yes, he was in the hold, and what temperature would we like the hold to be set at.


Animals do not fly in un-airconditioned holds, at least not in the last ten years since we've been flying our guy. We have used Air France nonstop to Paris and Lufthansa nonstop to Germany.


The temperature problem comes from the crate having to sit on the tarmac during the loading procedure. The airline will not fly pets in cargo if the temperature is above 85 degrees, or below a certain temp which I forget as it's never applied to us.


For that reason, we will have to skip going to France this year even if Germany & France open their borders to Americans, because it will be too hot for him to fly.


Having said all that, for a 7-lb dog, I would fly to go get him. He can go into the cabin with you, and as a puppy not used to flying, that would be much easier on him. Our boy was two when we first put him on a plane. He was already crate trained and a seasoned auto traveler, and was over that hyper/nervous-to-new-situations puppyness.


Good luck, and enjoy your puppy!

At the time we flew Sam over the dogs were still going into the hold, but in those days the RSPCA had an office at Heathrow where they took over the shipping of dogs, they made sure she had water and someone with her at all times. When we got to Logan someone had taken her out of the crate and walked her so that she could relieve herself! I will never forget collecting her from baggage and bringing her through customs on her leash, she sat like a perfect lady and just looked around.