[Donna]

We are traveling with a German Shepherd, and a Teacup Poodle..We have no clue if we want to drive or fly down..

Does any one know an airline that is pet friendly to large dogs and if so, what are their policies?


We never traveled with pets, this is a first for us!

[SUNNYMARYANN]

During both hot and cold weather, there are some restrictions to transporting dogs via airline. They will not fly them in over 85 or below 47 degrees. Push nosed dogs: Cavaliers, Pug, Pekes should not fly in cargo hold due to breathing problems. A teacup sized poodle can be fit into a carrier under the seat with some airlines. I have seen larger dog carriers going into cargo. My friend in Florida recently returned from Milwaukee via Delta airlines and they would only fly her Sheltie in cargo and only as far as Atlanta where she had to rent a car to finish the journey home to the gulf coast.
You need to check with each airline and ask a lot of questions because they may have different regulations and charges. You dont want your pup sitting on a hot tarmac in the sun for any length of time.

[nONIE]

Donna, I am by no means an expert on this subject but I have been on airplanes that had to make emergency landings and I have seen dog carriers scattered all over the airport with people frantically looking for their pets. I can only imagine the trauma these poor animals had to go thru until they were found and the length of time those animals were in their carriers was unbelievable.

We always drive with our dogs and dogs are usually excellent passangers in a car. We stop for potty breaks when we get gas and they sleep all the way to Florida. They are so much better then traveling with kids believe me. No lip out of them no fighting in the back seat, very quiet passangers. Please consider driving instead of flying. So many things can go wrong on an airplane and just the horrible engine sounds alone would be enough to scare any dog to death! JMHO.

[jblum8156]

I agree with Nonie. Please don't put your dogs on a plane. My husband and I drove several times from NY to Miami, back and forth, with 2 large dogs and 2 kids. Believe me, the dogs were easier to travel with than the kids! We had a station wagon so the dogs had a big space to lie down in the back, but even if you have a sedan it shouldn't be a problem. They will make themselves comfortable and go to sleep. Just be sure to stop every couple of hours for a potty break and water. If you're really worried you could ask your vet for a mild tranquilizer, but I don't think you'll need it.

[swrinfla]

IMHO:

Never, ever subject your pet, canine or feline, to an airplane ride. And, especially never, ever a large canine who must fly as cargo.

Never, ever!

Donna, I know you wouldn't even think about transporting a horse that way, would you???

SWR

[JeanneBeannie]

Donna I understand your dilemma, I am going thru the same thing and not too much time to figure it all out, but hopefully I will .

I do agree with all the other posts, and I have decided that no way can I put my doggies thru that and I would be a wreck worrying about them.

But if you decide to fly them, there is a new airline that is only for pets, no people...just the crew. They are in the cabin, not in cargo and placed in crates. I saw it on the news recently and they are doing quite well, not sure if they go to Florida yet or not but here is the web site PetAirways.com.

Good luck!!

[ssmith]

What's this?????Donna gonna put pups on plane???
juat kidding....
Susie
don't let Fumar advise about this lol