Shipping a dog

[AspenBud]

So I may have found a pup I want. The thing is, the dog is in the Midwest and I would need to have it shipped out here somehow to get it.

What is the best method for this and what can I expect to pay?

[Jonathan_S]

There are services for this kind of thing.  Probably looking at about $300-$500

[Colin]

Ask the breeder they should be versed in the costs/carriers. I am expecting a pup with a plane ticket in Mid April. My breeder had all the details for transportation.

[DOUBLELUNG]

I shipped an adult dog with Alaska a few years ago, $425 Portland to Boston.  Try hard to get a nonstop flight, even if you have to drive to a farther away airport.  I had a lot of fears due to media horror stories, but it went great, 6 hours after I dropped her off, my mom said she came out of her crate smiling and wagging.

[runamuk]

Delta used to be the go to back when I was still dealing with this.  The last time I had a dog shipped the owner of the dog arranged and paid it shipped from Phoenix to Boise and I went down and picked her up at the cargo bay they had he in the shade and made sure she was kept cool.  Many airlines do this you should be able to just call and get the information.  I agree the person selling you the dog should know this dog breeders and show people I know all have done this at least once or twice.

Most cannot ship during certain temps too low or too high.  But spring is usually a good time to ship dogs. All the horror stories I heard were 3rd hand anyone I know who has shipped dogs tended to have good reports.  All my experiences with shipped animals have also been good (dogs, birds).

[wildweeds]

I've shipped one and recieved 2  both times were Delta,no problems either time,I'd suggest throwing it out there that your getting one and hope you can get someone else that's looking interested in one,two can be shipped in the same crate at the same shipping cost.I got 2 in one crate,my buddy actually got 3 pointers in one crate and sold the other two when they got here,that way he had a "pick".

[jetjockey]

Delta is my go too as well.  I've shipped my dog on numerous occasions with them.  Whatever you do, DO NOT use Gundog Express. 

[AspenBud]

Just for clarity's sake I got word from a friend that the litter was on the ground and the breeder is dropping the price because most of the lined up buyers wanted females and the litter is almost all male. Sire is out of CH Dateline Blacklist and 3X CH HiFive Wrangler breeding and the dam is out of Crow's Little Joe (not sure how far out).

I have not talked to this guy yet, have to have a talk with my other half tonight, just gathering info here. For all I know they will all have been taken by the time I call (if).

[AspenBud]

Delta is my go too as well.  I've shipped my dog on numerous occasions with them.  Whatever you do, DO NOT use Gundog Express.

Gundog Express only goes as far as Montana anyhow at which point the cost effectiveness goes down fast with gas and motel rooms.

But what's the problem with them?

[jetjockey]

They showed up 2 days late, dropped my dog off 3 days late, and the driver left the dog at the wrong address, under a tree.  The driver did all that with very specific instructions (which were ignored) on how, and where to find the address to drop my dog off.  I told her the GPS would not find the address but she come fly disregarded me.  The driver (owners wife) then tried to blame the trainer, who was suppose to recieve the dog.  LUCKILY when We finally got ahold of her to find out where my dog was, the trainer knew the kennels she described.  They are lucky My dog was found, or the lawsuit I was going to file would have put them out of business.  Since then, I have talked to numerous people with other very bad experiences. 

[Forks]

How much is a ticket for you to fly out and get the pup in person? I did this with one I got out of N. Carolina and the little sucker rode on my lap on the way back. Breeder met me at the airport with the pooch and jumped back on a plane for Portland. Just a thought.

[Happy Gilmore]

I know a guy who runs a dog transportation business. I sent two dogs with him to new owners. I think it was about $700 one way to Alabama.

Bittersweet Pet Transportation- Edgar Johnson.

[Waldo84]

I also used Edgar with Bittersweet to bring my pup from Wisconsin to me. My pup came out of his suburban happy as can be. He sent me text messages or gave me a call with updates on where he was and how the puppy was doing. Great guy who loves dogs. You can find him on Facebook.

[Happy Gilmore]

I know Edgar personally. He's a longtime Chessie guy too.

[freberd]

We just got our Chessie puppy from Minnesota less than 2 weeks ago.
We shipped a crate from amazon to the Breeder and we used Delta Airlines
About $250.00
Puppy was great no poddy in kennel

[birddogdad]

We just got our Chessie puppy from Minnesota less than 2 weeks ago.
We shipped a crate from amazon to the Breeder and we used Delta Airlines
About $250.00
Puppy was great no poddy in kennel

for the most part this is the normal result.. however, airlines DO consider them luggage. I know it has always concerned me of the thought of a bad ending. after all, they are children to us...Recently there was a dog mishandled from the Westminster Dog show returning to our area. Didn't arrive on plane from east coast plane swap.. they got some bad press and really stepped up toward the dogs return. But during the process the flight people were questioned by the owner, he challenged them that the dog wasn't loaded and they would not check or verify even when requested... some breeders will NOT fly new pups as they have had bad experiences too.. it really is taking a chance...

[cardinalguns]

When I flew back from Germany on my PCS move, I brought my German born German Shepherd puppy with me. I had to get a vet certification and buy an approved kennel (those damned tall ears cost me an extra $400!). I flew United into DC and she rode in the cargo compartment. Let her out for a pee on the ramp in DC, and all she wanted to do was sniff around. Back in the crate, and on to Seattle. I was sure she was going to make a mess in her kennel, but she did not. I finally let her out in the parking lot of the rental car agency at Sea-Tac at 11pm, after 22 hours of travel.  As I recall, her ticket cost me $395.

Do everything possible to ensure a smooth check-in at the airport. The breeder should be able to handle their end, or they aren't much of a breeder.

My 2 cents worth.

[Alchase]

I just flew our Border Collie from Seattle to Oklahoma via United.
I hate United, but they were the only ones who did not fly "regional Jets" into Oklahoma City. You can not put a dog in a cargo hold that is not temp controlled. United flew from Seattle to San Francisco to OKC. If they are small, it is radically cheaper to fly with them in your lap. They have to be able to fit under the seat in front of you.
It cost $385 (freight cost) for my dog, and only $210 for my wife to fly the same flight.

[AspenBud]

The dog would be coming out of DTW. Most flights to physically fly there that I see hover around $400-$500 round trip and there is a $100.00 animal fee on top of that. If Delta is charging $250 that's a deal.

Since the litter is almost all male the price per pup took a steep drop to $300.00 making transport the most expensive part. I got the pedigrees yesterday and for the money asked I doubt I'll ever be able to find as star studded a list of family representing an English Pointer's bloodline.

[wildweeds]

Post the pedigree if you would

The dog would be coming out of DTW. Most flights to physically fly there that I see hover around $400-$500 round trip and there is a $100.00 animal fee on top of that. If Delta is charging $250 that's a deal.

Since the litter is almost all male the price per pup took a steep drop to $300.00 making transport the most expensive part. I got the pedigrees yesterday and for the money asked I doubt I'll ever be able to find as star studded a list of family representing an English Pointer's bloodline.

[AspenBud]

Post the pedigree if you would

The dog would be coming out of DTW. Most flights to physically fly there that I see hover around $400-$500 round trip and there is a $100.00 animal fee on top of that. If Delta is charging $250 that's a deal.

Since the litter is almost all male the price per pup took a steep drop to $300.00 making transport the most expensive part. I got the pedigrees yesterday and for the money asked I doubt I'll ever be able to find as star studded a list of family representing an English Pointer's bloodline.

I sent you a PM.

[JJD]

I just flew our Border Collie from Seattle to Oklahoma via United.
I hate United, but they were the only ones who did not fly "regional Jets" into Oklahoma City. You can not put a dog in a cargo hold that is not temp controlled. United flew from Seattle to San Francisco to OKC. If they are small, it is radically cheaper to fly with them in your lap. They have to be able to fit under the seat in front of you.
It cost $385 (freight cost) for my dog, and only $210 for my wife to fly the same flight.

Flying them in your lap may be hazardous to your health!  I flew an 8 week old CBR home with me from Ohio about 10 yrs ago.  Darned near got me killed.  Had her in a little carry on soft crate and I had to take her out so they could inspect the crate and me.  TSA gal held her through the inspection and really wanted to keep holding her and yet another TSA gal wanted to hold the puppy too.  Folks behind me were trying to make flights and I believe some may have had murder on their minds.  Good news was a got some sleep on the way home, a little 12 yr girl wanted to sit next to me on the plane so she could pet the puppy after we were airborn.  Pup never made a sound on the way home, the girl held the pup in crate on her lap and petted her through a small zipper opening in the top front. Made the flight from MSP to Spokane much less stressful.

Photo of pup laying in my suitcase after we got home.

[AspenBud]

Post the pedigree if you would

The sire of the litter is directly out of these two dogs...

The sire
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=4021

The dam
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=4025

The dam is out of this dog...

The sire
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=2504

...and the dam that produced mama is out of a dog called Mayan Rifle River that is mainly out of HiFive, Elhew, and Miller breeding along with some Railway and more "obscure" grouse dog breeding.

The guy doing the breeding is retired and hunts his dogs on foot, not off horseback. This is a grouse dog litter through and through.

I have copies of the official AF pedigrees.

[KFhunter]

Got a Brittany pup from WY,  Delta pet services *I think*  It went great I was pleased and the pup was in great shape 

I paid close to $400 to ship, but I had to buy a kennel and pet health cert papers on top of the ticket price. 

[AspenBud]

I thought I would follow up on this.

I shipped the pup with Delta cargo from Detroit to Portland. It was a non-stop evening flight. He did great.

Total shipping cost was $280.00.

[Commando]

Glad it all worked out. How bout some pictures?