Puppy air transport safe?

[Roy]

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking about getting a 9 week old goldendoodle from a breeder in Indianapolis and I'm located in San Francisco. The breeder will ship the pup in a dog crate using Delta Airlines I believe. Is it 100% safe to ship pups through air? I just want to be sure it's safe to do.

Thank you!

[Roy]

Hi Lynda!

Thank you so much for your offer! I decided to reserve a pup 3 hours drive away from me. 

Thank you again!

-Roy

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I would do what Jolene ended up doing - fly up, rent a car and drive back with the pup.  That way I could meet the breeder and the dog's parents.

[Amy and Annabelle]

I wouldn't let the puppy fly by itself. I had looked at one that flew with the puppy. Otherwise I would have gone to get it. As luck would have it, I found Annabelle about a 2 hour drive from me. I wanted her transition from her mama to me to be as non traumatic as possible. I know one of Annabelle's littermates was shipped about a 3 hour flight away. I just couldn't do it. Also in talking with my neighbor, she knows someone who had a puppy shipped from England to the states. The puppy died sometime during the flight.

[Jennifer and Jack]

Jack was flown to me and he was fine, that said I woild never ever do that again ever. I would pick my dog up. I just didn't know better. I thought breeders were not allowed to fly dogs out anymore, maybe I misunderstood but I know you have to at least go and have someone represent you at the breeders house before they can sell you the puppy.

I would also never buy a dog again without seeing with my own eyes where the puppy came from as well as I would want to know how many litters the mom has had and I would want to see her... Call my picky :)

[Deeann Roesser]

Hi Roy, unless there is a good reason you want to use this breeder, I would suggest you find one you can pick the pup up yourself. I live near Sacramento and bought Ginger from Modesto. They have a great reputation with so many happy owners to talk to.

*Breeder reference removed by admin

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Deeann, breeder referrals and recommendations are not permitted here in the open forum, as previously mentioned. 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I have had two puppies shipped from Michigan to Az. on two seperate occasions. Most importantly, I felt very confident with my choice of breeder and through our conversations and correspondence, I felt she was as concerned, if not more concerned than I was, about the safety of the mode of delivery of her babies and would not jeopardize them in any way. I did not feel the need to visit her home or meet the parent dogs.

Maybe I am too trusting, but I felt I did my homework where she was concerned and felt as confident as is possible. I knew with my research that for every horror story I read, of dogs flying, there were hundreds of dogs traveling by air everyday, without incidence. 

Like Karen said, of course nothing in life is 100% safe and we all take risks everytime we get into our car or even enter a crowded building anymore. I am not one to live in fear of the 'what if's' and let it manage my life, but I do research everything to death, until I have every possibe bit of information available to make an informed decision before I act.  And have a plan B,C and D ready, just in case.

If you are confident in your breeder, have discussed the whole shipping process from loading to unloading, and feel you have minimized the risks as best you can by being aware of the temperatures, ( which airlines that I know of will have their own safety measures in place for weather conditions and not let you ship if its unsafe even if you wanted to), then you have done some of your homework already.

Have you asked her about feeding beforehand, water in the crate, sending a blanket or toy with the litters scent on it, has she crate trained this pup so he's comfortable in a crate for the trip, does she medicate to help keep him calm, will she not board him until the last possible minute and call you right after? Lots of questions to help you feel better about your decision. 

My two came with extra food attached to the top of the crate, water unspilled from their drinking trays, clean and dry, with blankets and toys, and besides being a little shy, they came out of thier shipping crates wagging their tails. Is it noisy and scary and bumpy and will they possibly be exposed to fleas and other nasty germs, of course. But the same can be said for yours or my or anyone elses homes or dog parks that they will experience as puppies as well, especially if you have young children or other dogs in the home. 

Do you have a plan B should some delay or situation occur? Can you fly out to get your pup if you absolutely had to?

Not everyone can afford that kind of expense at the drop of a hat and yes it can be said that they shouldn't buy an expensive dog then. But when youve scrimped and saved and shopped and finally are able to afford your goldendoodle, the extra monies needed for travel can put added stress on the human family, and that seems a little more important to me than the unknowns of what might happen if the puppy is shipped.   I just don't feel that these dogs are that fragile and that it would be hard to prove that they are forever traumatized by a 4 hour flight. What happens for the next 12-15 years is what makes the puppy the good dog he will be. 

But these are just my humble opinions and not shared by everyone. Your question shows that you are being a responsible new puppy owner, and asking questions here will give you a wealth of combined knowledge! Good for you and good luck.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Sue, thanks for giving your input on successful shipping of dogs.  For some of us it is mandatory to see the dogs, the breeder, and worry about every controllable item. And for those of us where that is most important, we look closer to home - and sometimes compromise on our choice of breeder.  You obviously did all your research and felt comfortable with your breeder and and the care that would be taken getting your puppies to you and had successful experiences.  I know that I wouldn't have a dog flown to me, but I am retired, have a motor home and a road trip is simply not a big deal.  Not everyone is that lucky.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Want to go with me to pick up my sheepadoodle puppy later this year?  Charlie is not too excited about driving to Washington.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You never know, Lynda.  We just might be feeling a road trip coming on, although we have some RV and motorcycle trips already in the works.  We either take our house with us or take pretty much nothing.

[Roy]

Wow, thank you for everyone that has responded to this thread! I appreciate all the advice and opinions. After reading all of your advice as well as doing a bit of research on Delta, I have decided against having my puppy shipped to me from Indianapolis. I'm too afraid of something wrong happening during the 5 hour flight over. It might even be a longer flight than that if there are stop overs.

I have decided to get a Standard F1b Goldendoodle 3 hours away from me. That way I will be able to pick our puppy out as well as meet the breeder in person.

Once again, thank you so much for all your help!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Great choice, Roy. Now you will be able to go see the pups and the kennel before you make a final choice.