Question for anyone who's had an puppy/dog shipped.?

Question

Which airline and what was the overall experience? I've got a pup coming up from Pensacola and the breeder normally uses Delta, but is willing to go with another airline like Continental. Its just not feasible for the bf and I to drive down to get the pup other wise I would.

I have already ran circles around this breeder talked to other members of the breeder club in regards to this person's reputation, quality of their dogs and reliability.

So if you have had a dog/puppy shipped what was your level of satisfaction as far as their handling of the animal(s) ? Which airline was it?

Answer 1

in the past, I have used Frontier and had a good experience...but that was quite a while ago. I  have heard great things about Delta as well.  I do reccommend getting a direct flight, and I prefered  a very early morning flight out when the weather is at it's coolest during this season.  

I had my first dog shipped to me without meeting the breeder in person.  But, like you, I had the breeder checked out well, checked the breeder out with the national breed club and got a contract with a quarantee. The breeder also gave me 30 days to return the puppy if I was not happy.... I was very happy with my girl.  She was a group placing purebred,  a wonderful Mama to her puppies and a loving member of my family....

Good luck to you.

Answer 2

well my puppy was shiped in a car to the airport but it did not get on a plane his brothers and sisters did and the seller is one of those people who love all her puppies and she is very nice and all her costomers are always satisfied

Answer 3

I shipped two pups via Air Canada, but this was years ago.

I had one dog shipped Delta and had a very good experience, over-all.

The last dog that I had shipped over was shipped via Continental.  A horrible experience it was.  The dog came from Louisiana over to British Columbia, Canada.  I had my boss pick up the dog as it was just far too difficult for me to be at the airport, 4 hours from home at 1am with a baby.  

The plane was an hour late.  One it got there, it took another 2 hours to get the dog off the plane and into cargo pick-up.  So there my boss waited.  When it was time for him to pick up the dog, he required some sort of duty charge, so he had to leave that station, drive 10 minutes away, pay the duty on the dog, and head back there.  Once he got back there, they were closed!!

He got the run-around so much, I felt incredible bad for him.  By the time it was all done he never got the dog until 5am.

To top it all off, there was never an apology to him from anyone, well, except me :(

But you know, there will always be bad experiences with any airline you chose, but I will never deal with them again.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I shipped my two golden doodles on continental from germany to the us and over all i was pretty satisfied with there service.  they prices were a little high but it was worth it. they gave my dogs water, food, and quickly let our dogs out before they got on the plane.  they were really nice and everything turned out fine. It really depneds on your preferances though shop around alittle. we called like five different airlines before we shipped our dogs and compared services provided for the dogs and rates. You should really look before you ship your dog

Answer 5

I can only tell you that I have never shipped a dog- However since I have joined in to showing my girl I have heard quite a few horror stories,

My confrimation coach told me one of his best friens shows goldens. For some reason he was shipping his golden, I forget why but anyways, the airline dropped the crate and busted the dogs leg, he heald but they said he had a limp and he never showed the dog again.

And my confimation coach was taking a flight to show his  dog(Bull mastiff) and they lost the crate-When he got off the plane they said they didn't have the dog. they didn't take it off the plane and the poor dog ended up in like hawaii or something- This is all hear say from my coach- But I don't think he would lie about it.

I wonder is maybe it wouldn't put your mind more at ease and be safer for the dog if you could drive up there?

IDK just wanted to let you know- Wish you luck.

Answer 6

You bought a dog without meeting the breeder, checking out the facilities, meeting the parents and seeing the puppy......?  Did they take paypal too?

Oh dear.

ADD: Surely there are good breeders in your area?  Or within driving range.  Sorry my answer sounds harsh, I just think it seems almost... cold to order a pet almost like you would an oject off of EBay.  Glad you did your research, but still, that's my opinion, and yes, I'm aware you didn't ask my opinion lol.

Answer 7

Lacie flew on Continental. Our breeder used that airline a) because it was a direct flight b) she's always had good experiences with them.

We didn't have any problems with the airlines, and pick up was easy. That said...I'd never put my dog on a flight again...I honestly think it traumatized her. She has major issues with loud noises, which may or may not be related. I just think it's a tad scary to be tossed in with cargo...especially the first time away from your siblings and home. When we picked Lacie...we had intended to drive from Seattle to Texas to get her, but it didn't work out that way. So you do what you gotta do for your perfect pup. I'm sure the puppy will be fine on whichever airline you choose.

Edit: I agree with Nekai in that there is always a chance that you'll have a bad experience with any airline. The same goes for humans flying...you just never know. More than likely the puppy will be fine on whichever airline you choose. Enjoy your new pup!

Answer 8

My baby was shipped to me in PA at the time from Arkansas last November.  The foster mom used Delta Pets First and my pup arrived in wonderful shape and no problems.  My son had his shipped to him in FL from Wisconsin almost 2 years ago and they used Delta also and no problems.  I think it has alot to do with the weather too.  You have to find out what happens if there is a weather delay.  What do they do with the pup and is it given water if there is a long delay etc?  My puppy had a small delay in Atlanta because of a fire in the concourse and I was a wreck but he was only about 45 minutes late.

I've gone on the rescue's website since then and I've noticed that they switched to Continental and American and I don't know why.

Many many many people buy and adopt dogs and puppies this way.  Three of my cousins got their dogs from out of their states and had them shipped by air.  I don't know what airline though.  Good luck!!!!!

Answer 9

What makes a dog SO special that you have pay oodles of money for it and have it shipped from a different state? That is VERY sad. So many dogs are rotting away in your local shelters just praying for a home to call their own....and then there are people like you. Sad. I would never ever do what you're doing...so I can't be much help in choosing an airline. I can tell you I avoid Delta when I travel myself.

Adopt!

So rescue ones are out of state and the one you are purchsing is out of state. Hmmmm.....

Answer 10

When Khori was shipped from Florida to Dallas, it was with Delta.  I think the breeder charged me $250 with the crate.  Then when he got here, he was dirty, umbilical hernia, food aggressive, white hairs (disqualifying) but you couldn't really notice them, temperment problems.  

I will never buy another puppy site unseen.  I have learned my lesson.  I too thought I had done my homework.  Her website looked great and now I know the real story behind them, and they are getting sued by alot of people, they are suspended by AKC.