Advice regarding transporting my puppy from breeder

[Alyson Ryan]

Hi everyone!

I'm so excited to be getting a bernedoodle puppy the first week of July. My breeder is located in Missouri and I am in Boston. Transportation is turning out to be difficult since there are no direct flights to Boston from the airport my breeder uses. Right now I'm looking into a ground transport service. 

I got some quotes and a private van from Missouri to Boston is way too expensive for me, so the only option would be a shared van. The two concerns I have are: 

1. Exposing my puppy to parvo etc. by riding with other dogs. The reputable van services only transport a few dogs at one time and require health papers for the other dogs in the van. Do I still need to be worried about my puppy getting infected with anything?

2. It is a 22 hour drive from my breeder to Boston. The drive would be even longer for a shared van. Is this too long for the puppy?

Also, if anyone has any recommendations of great van services for puppies, I would appreciate it. Thanks!!

[Stacy]

I'm curious if you are coming from Kansas City Intenational or the St. Louis airport. Southwest does have a nonstop from Kansas City to Boston. They also have one from St. Louis to Boston. Ticket prices (for people, I've never checked into flying a dog in cargo) aren't the cheapest, but they exist. It's significantly cheaper to fly into Baltimore. If Amtrak allows dogs, I wonder if that would be an option for you. 

I do think I would worry about exposure to something with a shared van ride. AndI also wouldn't put a puppy (or any other pet) in the cargo hold of a plane. I think both options would be extremely stressful and potentially dangerous to an 8 week old puppy. I've read too many horror stories on the internet.

I think if this were my puppy I would either fly out and fly the puppy back in the cabin, or plan to take a long road trip. Make it a vacation. A bonding experience with the puppy. It could be fun, if you have the means and the time.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree with your last paragraph completely. No way would I put a puppy (or dog) in air cargo, especially in July, nor would I want one on a 22 hour drive without me. 

[Stacy]

If I ever did fly a dog/puppy cargo (I wouldn't) I wouldn't do it in July. I am the most paranoid person in the world, so take that into consideration. But what happens if they make an error and the puppy sits out on the tarmac for any length of time. The temperatures would be life threatening!!!

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

When we got Oskar, he was in ID and we are in WA.  The breeder's daughter offered to fly him over on her lap if we would pay the airfare for both of them.  If you can't manage the flight yourself, maybe you can find someone to fly with the pup & the puppy will get to you sooner & safely.

[DJ]

Our sweet puppy was from Missouri and we live in ohio. She flew to us and we picked her up in cargo. I was really worried. Luckily she arrive as scheduled and there was absolutely no problems! Good luck!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

 Will the puppy be small enough to fly in coach with you?  That would be my second choice.  My first would be, if you are at all able to, drive - you could even fly in and rent a car for the trip home. Some car rentals have special deals. Many hotels are dog friendly.  I would be very concerned about transporting a puppy with other dogs.  I would be very concerned with flying my dog in cargo.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Missouri has LOTS of puppy mills--have you checked out this breeder throughly and know they are on the level? 

I also think flying the pup or putting it in a van is risky--I think the van would be very traumatic since older dogs might be barking a lot--it is better to go get the puppy if at all possible--remember dogs are expensive for their whole lives--this is just the first step! And if you must get a pup from so far away, commit to getting him home safely. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Amen. 

[Nancy]

I wouldn't do it.  Puppies are like little babies, they need cuddling and reassurance that they are safe, especially in an unfamiliar environment.  Puppies also tend to suffer from motion sickness.  Just my opinion, I would not get a puppy if I haven't met the breeder and if I was not able to either pick up the puppy myself or have the puppy fly in a plane on someones lap.  Also like Ginny has said Missouri is listed as a puppy mill state!!

[Lisa & Sunny]

Based on my experience with my puppy, I would have to agree.  When we picked her up at the breeder, she was started shaking with fear the minute the breeder handed her to my daughter.  During our three hour drive home she threw up three times.  After we brought her home, she would start shaking each time took her somewhere in the car; thankfully she soon got past that, and she now enjoys riding in the car.  I just cannot fathom a stranger transporting a puppy that far by car; I think it could be a very traumatic experience for the puppy

[EJ & Dante]

I flew from Michigan to Nevada to get my puppy.  Flying a puppy cargo (what we were going to do initially) is tricky.  They don't fly them when it's too cold, they don't fly them when it's too hot.  Temps THE DAY OF travel have to be looked at.  They only fly into major hubs that accept pets. They have to be there 2 hrs before the flight, and it can take 2 hrs after the flight to get them.  My Puppy would have been in transit over 12 hrs.  Puppies can have blood sugar problems during flight.  Given all that, I decided to fly to get my puppy.  He rode in a pet carrier under the seat, I was able to let him potty during our layover, and it was a lot of fun.  My breeder brought him right to the airport for me, I did an in and out flight.   It only cost a little bit more than flying him cargo and was well worth it.

[Amy and Annabelle]

It was only a 2 hour drive to get Annabelle, but she was a wreck. I had her in her carrier strapped into a seatbelt in the back seat. I sat back there with her. She had a blanket with her mom and litter mates scent on it. We stopped a few times so I could get her out and cuddle her. If it were me, I would go get my pup myself. Not only would it be better for the puppy, but you can also meet the breeder, which to me is important. I feel a drive that long should be with his/her new family where they can get lots of cuddles and not be so scared. Not to mention picking up bad habits or diseases. I agree that making it a family road trip, would be a great bonding experience for everyone.