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How safe (or, not safe) is shipping a toy puppy from MN to CA?

4K views 21 replies 12 participants last post by  penny_ann 
#1 ·
You probably already knew that I am looking into getting a 2nd puppy next year (ideally Fall 2011). My first choice is a breeder that's located 2 hrs (driving) away. My second choice is a breeder that's in MN (we are in San Francisco) and there's no direct flight to her city (1 stop = a total of 5.5 hrs flight). My third choice would be a small spoo which is a 2-hr direct flight away.

My question is: What do you think about shipping a toy puppy from MN to CA, when weather permits?
 
#3 ·
I agree with Winnow, but I would never consider shipping a puppy on a flight that is not direct. Way too many things can go wrong when switching planes. You hear horror stories all the time about lost luggage and the puppy could become one of those horror stories. And sometimes we are faced with flights that stop in another city then carry on. I will do this, if the pup stays on the same plane and there is just one stop. Each time the plane stops, it usually adds another hour and a half to two hours to the flight. I would suggest you use your air miles and fly to the airport the pup would be departing from and turn around and head right home with the pup in a soft crate in the cabin with you. This would be a lot less stressful for the puppy.
 
#5 ·
I am getting mine next summer/fall from Canada. I am also trying to determine the best option for us. I had hoped to fly up and get my pup and would love to meet Ora and Cole but I decided to buy a home when I was not expecting to and this changes things a bit......
 
#8 ·
Kodi my Mini was shipped to me. Circumstances at the time didn't allow me to fly and bring him home with me. I got him a few days after was originally planed because of some weather issues but he arived safe and sound! He was on about a 6-7 hour flight. I will never forget his little face looking out of the crate when I picked him up.
 
#9 ·
Nickel, my silver mini boy, was also shipped to me on a 6-hour one-stop flight. He arrived safe and sound but I was very very anxious the whole time. This time I'm interested in getting a toy so I'm more concerned about the shipping situation.

I wonder how people ship their toy puppy to an international buyer.
 
#10 ·
I flew up to Toronto from the D.C. area to get Casey. The flight had a transfer in NYC. It wasn't too bad, the flight I had to transfer to was a bit of a hike in the terminal but there was enough time. All together, the travel time was comparable to the amount of time you're talking about.

I have shipped my dogs all over the world (Foreign Service career) and never had anything bad happen to them, but in this case, since it was possible to fly up and back on the same day, and gave me an opportunity to meet the breeder and play with Casey in a park for a little bit when I met him, I felt that was safer and preferable.

It's just one day of your life, and whatever it costs. For me, I felt a lot better taking Casey back in a soft-sided carrier (a Sturdi bag) rather than shipping him cargo. I'd recommend it if you possibly can.
 
#12 ·
I'm still in the research mode :) I want to get a silver, either an in-size mini or a small spoo. Brown is good too. Hubby loves silver too but he says he wants sth different (and no no to black and white). I think I am going to just pick the right breeder and the right timing.

I have decided on where I'm going to get my silver spoo. But I have never had dogs that weigh more than 20 lbs so I need to learn more about bigger dogs (standard poodles) before I am ready to make the commitment. For now, I am conducting research on brown mini and toy too. I guess I shouldn't be too greedy :p

p.s. We have even decided on the names, sigh~
 
#16 ·
Here in europe its cheaper most of the times to fly with the dog.
But maybe not if you count all the cost of you going back and forth taking time of work and so on :p

For Quincy going to Canada its was much cheaper to send him alone.

But when you are buying a pup I would always recommend going to pick him up so you can meet the breeder and parents.
 
#17 ·
If you carry on a pet in the cabin, the fee is approx 80-100$. Shipping cargo is much more, as I have not shipped in YEARS, I dare not guess! Not all airlines ship or allow pets in the cabin. The other option is pet airways they are a pet only airline. Your baby flies in a airplane cabin configured for crates and has a Pet Attendant to take care of them.
I think maybe that should be my next job, Pet Attendant! :adore:
 
#19 ·
Many years ago I bought a Rough Collie puppy from Virginia - somewhere near DC. The pup had to change planes in Toronto and when I went to the Regina airport to pick the puppy up, they told me the papers had gone missing from the package on the crate and were still in Toronto, so they wouldn't release the puppy until Monday -- this was Friday!!! Luckily common sense prevailed and I took the puppy home with me.

I agree - changing planes is a risk.
 
#20 ·
Re the cost, for me, from D.C. to Toronto, the cost of flying up and bringing him back in the cabin with me was close to the same price as shipping him would have been. Maybe a bit more, but pretty close. Definitely worth it.

Cross-country might be a different matter. But if you plan ahead, make the reservations 21 days ahead of time, etc., etc. you can often find good flight deals.
 
#21 ·
I think shipping a dog as checked baggage costs from $180-$280 and it's about $100-150 one-way to have the dog stay in the cabin with you.

For me, I think I will go pick the puppy up as long as he's from the states. Canada? I haven't explored that option yet since I still haven't found a reputable red/apricot in-size mini breeder there yet.
 
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