Flying with your dog

[NorthernGrouse]

I am considering taking Boe with me on a vacation next spring. He is a 40 pound, year old, Welsh Springer Spaniel. My research has given me what I need to know in terms of health clearances, carrier specifications etc BUT I see some disturbing comments about dogs being injured, killed or shipped to the wrong destination. It seems that this is rare, but does happen a few times each month in the USA.

I would appreciate hearing from those of you who have flown with your dog. How was the experience? How did the dog handle it? Would you do it again?

Also, for those who would not take your dog on a flight ... why not?

Thanks for any feedback you can share,
Martin

[last5oh_302]

Yeah, there have been far too many accidents for me to be comfortable putting my girl in the cargo hold (unless there was absolutely no choice), not mention the stress it would put on her. When I flew my pup home she sat in the plane with me (in a bag), but she was small enough to be permitted. As you know, 40 lbs has to go in the cargo hold, unless you get a service dog vest

[MikePal]

I had my Shepard shipped to me in Europe a week after I was there....my Dad dropped him off at the Air Canada cargo area in T.O and I picked him up in Frankfurt. They had a special section of employees that handled pet transport and from what I saw they were professionals. My lad, Wolfgang, was no worse for wear and that involved about 24 hrs of travel.

When I shipped him home it was even better, I shipped with Lufthansa and they were more than accommodating, great handlers.

I rarely hear of accidents/problems.

[CptSydor]

I would not as I just can't imagine a reason to bring my dog on vacation with me, unless I was going somewhere to hunt or another reason why having my dogs with me would enhance the vacation.

I'm quite sure that the process of flying with a pet would be professional and if I had to I wouldn't hesitate, but if the consideration is the well being of the dog, I feel they would be equally stressed flying and being in a new place while on vacation as compared to being boarded for the course a vacation.

I was recently in Chile for 3 weeks and my two dogs made out just fine. We make sure the boarding kennel is familiar to them with smaller stays before extending them. I'm heading out week long trip in March and with my new gun dog (a Brittany), the two older ones will go to regular boarding, the young guy will head to a kennel/training facility to get a little extra experience while I'm gone.

[BDH]

I have flown several times Ontario to the west , both Air Canada and WestJet. I made sure I had direct flights, booked the dog at the same time I booked the flight to assure dog would be with me. Prior to boarding I would ask for reassurance that my dog had been loaded. WestJet actually supplied a number for the dog that was supplied to me confirming the dog was loaded. It gets a little un-nervering when you are also flying with firearms. Read the airlines policy regarding kennel size, watering, and make sure you have a means of undoing plastic tie straps when you arrive at your destination as they will secure the kennel shut. If you are travelling with an e-collar pack it with your booked luggage and not your carry on.

Dick

[Ugo]

I have flown my dog(s) with WestJet for years - never a bad experience. Contact them directly for details and go well early of departure to ensure all is in order. I get off the plane with them in the early morning, drive to my accommodations and they are happy as larks hunting by that same afternoon!
WestJet really looks after me and my dog - wouldn't consider the options. Great service and the prices are reasonable.

[NorthernGrouse]

I would not as I just can't imagine a reason to bring my dog on vacation with me, unless I was going somewhere to hunt or another reason why having my dogs with me would enhance the vacation.

It depends on the vacation doesn't it? I agree with you if it is week or two in hotels, sightseeing, kids parks etc. My situation is different, I am considering renting a cottage in Ireland for a month or two. Quite simply, if I don't take Boe then I will not go. Hence my need to get informed feedback on the risk and stress that flying would involve for my pup.

[Dakota Creek]

My situation is different, I am considering renting a cottage in Ireland for a month or two.

With that destination have you checked to see if importing a dog from Canada (even for a short period) would entail any quarantine restriction upon arrival?

[yellow dog]

My pup was flown in from the UK last spring and she had to have her rabies vaccination 2 weeks before she could be flown to Canada. Not sure on the regs flying to the UK from Canada.

[MikePal]

Similar to going into Germany..just get a Vet to fill out the form and away you go...

(Canada is on the Low risk list)

Pets from outside the EU

If you want to import a cat, dog or ferret into Ireland from a country outside the EU there are 2 categories of these countries: qualifying lower-risk countries and non-qualifying high-risk countries. You can check if your country of origin is on this list of qualifying lower-risk countries. If it is not on this list then your country of origin is a non-qualifying high-risk country.
Pets from qualifying non-EU countries
A cat, dog or ferret from a qualifying lower-risk non-EU country must undergo the following in this order:

• Be identified by a microchip
• Be vaccinated for rabies subsequently
• Have a veterinary health certificate in the form of Annex IV to Commission Implementing Decision 577/2013 to certify that it is currently immunised against rabies and dogs must be treated against tapeworm between 24 and 120 hours before arriving in Ireland. Treatment for ticks is not compulsory but it is advisable to get it at the same time as the tapeworm treatment.