Flying pups

[fredpuli47]

Is it possible to fly a new pup from Edinburgh to any London airport (Stansted or Luton would be best ). A friend has asked me (the innocent optimist that they are !) I' d be worried about the effects on a pup, not wanting to risk it being scarred or life, but the option would be a 400 mile train or car journey.

[seekeerz]

How old is the pup, fred ?? Here in Australia they won't fly a pup under eight weeks and I should think it would be about the same there. A pup has to be three months at least before an overseas flight is considered.

We've had three flown from Melbourne to Adelaide - the flight takes about 50 minutes and the people handling them have all been wonderful and I truly don't think any of them have been greatly affected by the trip.

[poetrylover]

Take it on a train or in a car ... wouldn't trust any animal through an airport personally ... I am sure everyone is well trained and take extreme care, but it's just my personal thought that I wouldn't want the little fella out of my sight!

[jules77]

Not all airports have the facilities for taking animals, Heathrow does, but I dont believe Luton will. People transport dogs and young puppies all the time on far longer journeys, but if I had the opportunity to drive, I would, irrespective of distance.

[lankeela]

Only Gatwick and Heathrow have Animal Reception Centres and the time from landing to you getting your pet can be 2 hours, so by the time you have booked them in (several hours before flight time), actual flight and collection you could have driven there and back. I collected some puppies from Lockerbie and drove to Norfolk and they were fine. We often drive to Scotland (Edinburgh) and back the same day for dog shows. Make sure they have plenty of newspaper in the cage so you can take out any soiled layers, and they will be fine, if a little sickie and ******* by the time you arrive!

[paraffin]

The breeder types on here will know all the answers, fred. They'll be used to having theirs carted around like lumps of meat, anyway. Bug*er the stress to the animal, it's worth it when the fat cheque drops into their swollen bank accounts.

Yes, indeed, a 400 mile trip by car may not be particularly appealing for you but it should be the pup's interests which are paramount. There are plenty of opportunities to stop en route and let the little soul stretch its legs and you can also refresh and reassure it as well.

Bung it onto train or plane, though, and it's imprisoned in a crate, sh*t scared out of its wits, being treated like abovementioned lump of meat.

I know what I'd do, it all depends on how much respect you have for the tiny mutt in the first place.

[kita1]

Funny how the 'breeder types' on here advised exactly the same thing as paraffin - take the pup by car!!!!


If you do decide to let the pup have a wee break make sure that you pick somewhere that it will not be exposed to anything like parvo etc. - don't let it out at places where other people stop with dogs (like motorway service stations etc.).

If you go on a train be aware that you will be asked to put the pup on the floor of the train and not on the seat.

I have picked a pup up on the train and also done a long journey in a car and I would much rather take the car journey (but make sure you know what will happen if the car breaks down - some car recovery people insist the dog stays in the car, not a good idea if the car is towed at an angle or the weather is hot).

[carmalee]

I am assuming the friend has actually seen the pup and has it in his or her possession - just a thought.

[paraffin]

So glad you've found the exclamation marks, kita, a sure sign of a calm, laid back individual who respects everyone's point of view, not just their own.

[jules77]

Paraffin, why dont you just go back to your news section or wherever you said you post regularly, instead of gate crashing other peoples threads with your nonsense.

But, since you started the accusations, yet again, why would us 'breeder types' cart their animals around like lumps of meat, and from where do you get your information? I am interested just how many breeders you know?

[woofgang]

can i ask why they want to fly the puppy?

[jules77]

Manchester Airport have, or did have, an animal reception centre, as I collected a dog that flew from Denmark to Manchester a couple of years ago. Doesnt help you in this instance, but just FYI.

[fredpuli47]

Thanks, I'll advise driving ! I 've collected pups (or 'lumps of meat' as we dog experts say) from far away from Cambridgeshire e.g; Bradford to Cambridge by car, South Wales to Cambridge by train , but never had any dealings with flying one anywhere.My concern always was that the pup can have constant reassurance in the travel , and get to know its new owner as soon as possible.Any journey is potentially stressful, the more so if the pup is leaving home for the first time
Thanks Lankeela, I'd not any idea of the waiting involved . in the flying. And ,Kita, parvo would be my first thought and I'll warn accordingly.

[paraffin]

Beg pardon, jules, perhaps I should crave your indulgence before posting anything anywhere?

You really are such an emotional little baggage, aren't you?

Besides, you more or less denied being a "breeder type" the other week, now you seemingly are? I mean, if you can't be truthful about anything, why would I wish to defer to you? I wouldn't know what was fact and what was fiction, would I?

I at least answered the poster's question, more than some I could mention? So, who's hijacking whose post now?

Sorry, fredpuli, we sometimes get the more demented and
pompous types on here. Takes all sorts I guess?

[jules77]

Sorry Fred for hijacking your thread, but I cant stand by and listen to the crap that comes out of Paraffin, who apart from being a complete numpty who knows nought, insists on damming all breeders, or those he 'thinks' are breeders. Yet he wouldnt know a breeder if one jumped out in front of him.

[paraffin]

You see, jules, there you go again, besmirching the good name of someone you do not even know. My assertion of you has just been confirmed, a right little drama queen, aren't we?

It's a bit late for you now, apologising to poor old fred who comes on here looking for a bit of impartial advice and all he gets is you lambasting an honest poster. In future, why not just count up to ten before letting your hormones and emotions run riot? You know it makes sense.

Still, fred chose to accept my advice despite tales of flying dogs here there and everywhere, from this airport to that.

And I shall maintain my equal right to give my honest views, as is anyone else entitled to do, for I refuse to be bullied by aggressive and arrogant upstarts.

I shall pray for your deliverance from your intolerance.

[fredpuli47]

Paraffin, you certainly have a way with words LOL ! You plainly care passionately about dogs, animals in general. Not sure that I think of dog breeders in terms of pups as lumps of meat , fat cheques and so on :). Goodness knows who you've met in dogdom ! Nobody whom I know, certainly. We have laws relating to breeding dogs in this country, laws to protect bitches and pups.Fact is that breeders do export pups and must needs do so as well as possible, which may mean air-transport. As pointed out in the very first post in reply, this is not bad in practice. Like you, and others posting, I'd not have it as first choice if there's a practical road or rail alternative with accompanying buyer. Until the answers, I'd forgotten just how often we do take dogs long distances by road/rail. I once flew to Newcastle and fetched a papillon pup, by rail with me, to my mother in Cambridge, so it can be done. In principle, Edinburgh to East Anglia is not much different.