Dog shipping?

Question

So I might be getting a puppy from a breeder in a state pretty far away from me and it might have to be shipped on a plane. What are your views on shipping dogs? Has anyone had their dog shipped to them?

I'm sorry for asking an innocent question. I didn't expect to be lectured or sworn at. Please leave my judgement of buying from a breeder OUT of this. I never asked where I should get my dog, so don't go on a rant about shelters and mutts and blah blah blah. If you're not going to answer my question, DON'T ANSWER AT ALL.

Answer 1

There is nothing wrong with getting your pup shipped. Just because you're getting your pup shipped certainly doesn't make you a bad owner or the breeder a bad breeder! Nearly all reputable registered breeders will ship puppies interstate.

I'm assuming you've done plenty of research on the breeder and asked about health-testing etc.

For most pups being shipped is a complete non event and they're generally taken good care of. I have heard a few horror stories of bad communication on the airline's behalf and they didn't alter the temperature of the cabin and the pup froze to death. But don't panic this is extremely rare!

Your pup will be fine! It's certainly not cruel.As for people having a go at you for not buying local that's just plain stupid. I know how hard it can be to find a good breeder, I myself am on a waiting list for a pup from interstate. Not to mention that most reputable breeders get dogs shipped internationally in order to improve their breeding lines.

If you're really worried I know that here in Australia there's a company that will drive your dogs interstate they'll be kept in an air conditioned trailer type thingy in their crate. So they get let out and walked during the journey and they get fed etc. So you might want to look into something like that if you're worried.

Good luck!

-Elise

Answer 2

No offense, but you should really ask your questions elsewhere. Just about anything in reference to buying a dog not from a shelter will get you cursed or sworn at around here. Trust me I know first hand. I haven't had a dog shipped but just make sure you check with the Better Business Bureau and see if the breeder is on the list for something. The biggest thing to worry about is not the puppy on the plane but who is sending you this puppy and if they are not scamming you. However, this is the risk you take but shipping shouldn't be a big deal for the pup. He will probably be so happy to get out and see a friendly, loving face that he will soon forget he was on a plane for a few hours. Good luck with the research.

Answer 3

As long as the airline the breeder is using has temperature controlled cargo areas, you should be fine. Try to work with the breeder on getting a direct flight, or one with hardly any layovers. I have shipped pups all over the country for people and they have done fine. If there was a pup I wanted from a specific bloodline or kennel I would not have a problem with having that pup being shipped to me. If this is from a reputable breeder, you should be alright. Most airlines want the dogs on the earliest flight possible leaving the airport.

Answer 4

Be very careful about getting dogs from a breeder sight unseen. You need to make sure the breeder is honest and you are getting a healthy dog.
Shipping by air is not a big deal just be sure to ship durring mild weather and call the airlines to find out their policy about shipping.
I have a friend who has shipped dogs all over the country by air and has had very good results.

Answer 5

I would avoid it, just because the breeder is so far away. You can't go check them out to make sure it isn't a mill or something awful like that. What would happen if the puppy they sent you had parvo or heartworms or something to that effect? Go to the pound and get a shelter pup! I agree with the poster that said papers are worthless unless you are a professional breeder or plan to show the pup.

Answer 6

Personally, I wouldn't want to get a dog from far away - you can't check it out beforehand to make sure that the breeder is telling you the truth about it's health and temperment. Also, you don't get a chance to meet the dog before it comes home - how do you know that you'll get along? Dogs have personalities, just like people - would you choose a friend or spouse based on just a picture and a description from their parents?

When I got my dog, I had to travel over 4 hours (one way) to get her. I not only did it when I went ot bring her home, but also when I picked her out (I had pick of the litter) I COULD have done that without going to "meet" her, but I would have had no idea if she was the girl for me. When she curled up in my son's lap and fell asleep after licking his chin, I knew she chose us, and that she'd fit in to our family perfectly. We left a stuffed animal that my son had slept with for a couple of weeks, so that she'd "know" our smell. 5 weeks later, we drove the 4 hours out to get her again.

On the topic of shipping: think of a puppy as a baby- one day, it's taken from it's family, put in a box, stuffed in a noisy cargo hold and, hours later, retreived by a stranger who takes it to a new place with nothing it recognizes. On top of that, cargo holds are either WAY too hot or WAY too cold, there is no temp. comtrol in there. It would be pretty terrifying, I'd think. I wouldn't want to put my fur-baby through all that.

Check petfinder.com for a dog you'd like, or try to find a breeder closer to you. You're taking a lot of risks, buying a compaion for life sight-unseen, on the word of the seller, and probably terrifying the poor puppy as well.

Answer 7

well no one seems to have done this before, so i will tell you first hand, i was very afraid of having my puppy shipped but he just had one of those faces that i could not resist. make sure that it is a good breeder but other than that the airlines take very good care of him/her, people ship their pets everyday not only when they buy one from a breeder but even when the owner is traveling and they want their pet to go with them. trust me if you believe this is the right dog for you shipping is fine, i actually am picking up a my new female pup from the aiport tomorrow, and the breeder is shipping out two other puppies with her. i am a very big animal lover and i would never do anything that i didn't find fit for my animals. good luck , if you have any more questions feel free to e-mail me.

Answer 8

Here is a way for you to think about this.....would you put your baby in a crate and then have it loaded into the cargo hold where temperatures drop and pressure is uncomfortable? This puppy will not be able to go to the bathroom the entire time and if it does, will subjected to sitting in its own feces until you collect it at the airport. Airports won't even release the real figures of how many animals die per year while in transit, and the ones they did release were still too high in my estimation. I agree with the previous poster....what is so special about this puppy that it has to be shipped cross-country? Look for a more local breeder please. Any breeder who ships their babies is not truly concerned for the welfare of their animals.

Answer 9

TENS of THOUSANDS of live animals are shipped DAILY!!!!!!
It's NO BIG DEAL!!!

OF COURSE,it'll have to be shipped!!!!DUH???
What ELSE is there? Giving it a MAP& BOOTING out the door in the right direction??

You will be paying EXTRA,of course....flight fees,crate,etc.At MINMUM another $250!.

IF you can trust the breeder-have you TALKED ,at LENGHTH,SEVERAL TIMES???

*****NEVER***** buy ANYTHING on-line!!!! ONLY *CRAP* from CROOKS is EVER available!

Answer 10

What makes this dog more special then any of the thousands that are within driving distance from you?

Go to a shelter. Forget the damn papers, unless you're showing or breeding (I hope not) who cares if it's AKC? Oh, wait, is it a "designer" mutt?

Think logically...