Shipping puppies

[Laura]

I love a breeder that is not local but she will ship. The mom in me doesn't love this any thoughts?

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

We drove 500 miles to pick up our babies. My son-in-law is an airline pilot. He says he would NEVER fly a pet unless it is flown in the passenger section.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I am flying to pick up my puppy and will carry him home in the passenger section with me.  It is 95 for the puppy and free for me as my husband has lots of southwest miles.  We have driven and stayed overnight to pick up a puppy also.  I am leary of flying a puppy not in the passenger section although I know many do fly that way.  The mom in me, like you is not happy with that.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Maryann, Enjoy that puppy!

[Ginny Nightingale]

I have experience with shipping pups but I do not do it any longer--it is just too hard to leave them at an airport and then worry for hours and hours that they are OK. I know it is done a lot--but it still bothers me. Also, you never get to visit the breeder or the puppies if they are so far away--many breeders present one thing on their website, but reality is quite different--some people have even used a stock photo of a puppy to sell theirs and the pups do not resemble that photo at all!

But you have probably heard all the stories--bottom line is that it is better to buy locally or at least someplace you can drive to. I have people who have come to visit me 6 months before they were ready to get a pup just to see how I did things. (I raise pups for a breeder)

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

I wouldn't ship a puppy, ever. For all of our dogs, we flew to the breeders and brought the puppies back home in the plane with us. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I would never ship a puppy. We drove 600 miles one way to pick up Fudge and 400 plus to pick up Vern. If you can fly to get him and he can be in the cabin with you, that is one thing, but all by himself in cargo, no way. I have seen what they do with luggage. 

[Lynda Kamrath]

I've done it and think it is the best idea if the breeder you choose is not local.  I have had three pups shipped to me and it all worked out fine.  They are a little discombobulated when you get them at the airport but come around quickly when they meet their new family.  Don't ship in the summer when there are heat problems at some airports.  A direct flight is best if it can be arranged.  Other than that, flying to pick the puppy up as excess luggage is another way to go and not much more expensive than shipping.  I have become pretty good at flying in, picking up the pup and flying out.  You can arrange it all in one day or spend the night and rent a car if you want to explore the area or visit friends for a little.