Airfare Prices and Information: updated 6-5-22
Airline shipping is still an option if American Airlines or Alaska Airlines fly into a major airport near you. The average price for this spring's 2023 collie litter has been $600 with the airfare, airline kennel, health certificate and misc (paperwork, dishes, hardware, bedding, arrangements, gasoline, etc) I will be happy to help you investigate current airline shipping if you are considering it.
I have also found private ground transportation reliable, people who only drive a few pets in their cars across country.
All 8-9 week old puppies can usually fly anywhere in "the lower 48". We will get an close estimate before we book a flight so there are no surprises.
Your price includes: $90 airline crate $10 dishes $60 veterinary health certificate to fly $30 bedding, paperwork mailed to you, hardware for the crate
$ for the airfare that is a flat rate based on the size and weight- not the distance (unfortunately)
In 2023 I can fly puppies out of Billings, Salt Lake City and Denver which is full day round trip drive for me. Gasoline will be calculated depending upon which airport. The flight schedules will determine which airline and airport we can use.
Possible Extra Charges: Puppies over 9 weeks old Puppies to Alaska
Growing puppies that need the next size up in crates and weight more average an additional average of $200, this includes a rabies shot if the puppy is over 11 weeks old.
Flying to Alaska has also cost extra in airfare in the past.
Important Notes:
It may take up to 4 weeks to get your puppy's flight scheduled., but it is usually closer to 2 weeks. We are at the mercy of the vet 's appointment schedule for the health certificate (around my work schedule) and the airlines cargo department schedule. I do forward flight numbers and times as soon as I get them, usually a few days before your puppy flies. During the summer weekdays become more of an option. Extreme summer and winter temperatures often prohibit pets from flying as cargo.
Airline shipping is still an option if American Airlines or Alaska Airlines fly into a major airport near you. The average price for this spring's 2023 collie litter has been $600 with the airfare, airline kennel, health certificate and misc (paperwork, dishes, hardware, bedding, arrangements, gasoline, etc) I will be happy to help you investigate current airline shipping if you are considering it.
I have also found private ground transportation reliable, people who only drive a few pets in their cars across country.
All 8-9 week old puppies can usually fly anywhere in "the lower 48". We will get an close estimate before we book a flight so there are no surprises.
Your price includes: $90 airline crate $10 dishes $60 veterinary health certificate to fly $30 bedding, paperwork mailed to you, hardware for the crate
$ for the airfare that is a flat rate based on the size and weight- not the distance (unfortunately)
In 2023 I can fly puppies out of Billings, Salt Lake City and Denver which is full day round trip drive for me. Gasoline will be calculated depending upon which airport. The flight schedules will determine which airline and airport we can use.
Possible Extra Charges: Puppies over 9 weeks old Puppies to Alaska
Growing puppies that need the next size up in crates and weight more average an additional average of $200, this includes a rabies shot if the puppy is over 11 weeks old.
Flying to Alaska has also cost extra in airfare in the past.
Important Notes:
It may take up to 4 weeks to get your puppy's flight scheduled., but it is usually closer to 2 weeks. We are at the mercy of the vet 's appointment schedule for the health certificate (around my work schedule) and the airlines cargo department schedule. I do forward flight numbers and times as soon as I get them, usually a few days before your puppy flies. During the summer weekdays become more of an option. Extreme summer and winter temperatures often prohibit pets from flying as cargo.
So how do the puppies fly anyway?
Travel Diet: Any puppy that has to fly or travel with ground transport is put on a "Travel Diet" several days before they leave. The diet ingredients can be found in almost every grocery store and department store in America. If you can buy just one of the dry puppy foods and just one of the canned puppy foods your pup won't suffer from a sudden diet change. And I don't have to ship food ahead of the puppy to prevent an upset stomach. Feel free to buy the smallest bags of the dry food and only 1 can and switch to the diet of your choice next week.
Travel Diet for 2023 spring Collies:
dry Purina One Large Breed Puppy mixed with dry Iams Large Breed Puppy half and half
1 tablespoon canned Purina One Puppy food and 1 tablespoon Pedigree puppy food in each meal
water for mixing
Scheduling:
It actually starts weeks before their flight! 1st I have to verify if your chosen airport can accept your puppy when you want it. This often depends upon the number of passengers and the amount of anticipated luggage that has already been booked. Sometimes "the cargo department" will have open/closed hours and days.
Schedules also depend upon when there are airplanes available with the temperature controlled cargo areas and temperature controlled luggage trains. Almost all airlines have some temperature control in their luggage bays on certain airplane models. But each airplane has a different size area. Some but not all airline companies or airports will have temperature controlled luggage trains. (see a story below)
The airlines will only book a flight about a week in advance because the pup's safety is so weather and temperature dependent. When mother nature chooses to give us enough advance notice we try to schedule it right the first time, but some storms just aren't that considerate. And some are just down right sneaky- advertising only an inch of snow and then dumping over 6 inches. A few days before the flight your puppy will go to my vet for a check up, only veterinarian certified healthy puppies are accepted by the airlines. The day before the flight your puppy will get a bath. It will sleep in it's new airline crate to get used to it.
As soon as the booking is confirmed I will send you all of the flight information. You will be able to track your puppy as he flies if you wish.
Equipment:
Only brand new plastic airline crates, bedding and dishes are used to reduce disease exposure and ensure the strongest crate possible. I use white paper towels for bedding inside the crate. I attach two or in some cases three plastic dishes to the door of the airline crate. All puppies get to drink, eat a light breakfast and go to the bathroom before flying. The airlines also feed and water puppies every 12 hours if they have a long flight. A ziplock bag of dry food will be taped on top of the crate. You will also find some airline paperwork taped to the crate, and a leash and collar that fits your puppy. If your puppy isn't wearing it's collar it is because the airlines is afraid it might cause a problem when know one can see the puppy in the airplane.
Airlines will not allow any toys in the crate or any bandages on the puppy. (like cropped ears in a brace, etc.) This reduces the chance of your puppy choking on something or hurting its ears in a cargo bay when no one is watching.
Picking Up Your Puppy: In most cases your puppy will not have had any leash training by this age, so the leash and collar might frighten it. But at least you can hang onto your puppy when you get it out of the crate. Since airline shipping expense depends upon the size and weight of the puppy and crate - your puppy may only fit in its airline crate comfortably for a few weeks after it arrives. Please plan on buying a larger crate if you plan on keeping your puppy crate trained.
If you are getting two puppies they will may fly in their own separate crates or together depending upon age and airline policies.
Preparing for your flying puppy:
I will need to know your 1st and 2nd choice airport. Note- the larger the airport usually the easier the scheduling.
The smaller airports may be more expensive airfare and less flight time choices, but more personal care- especially if they are to small too have a separate luggage facility. Then the pup usually waits for you in the main building at comfortable human temperatures where employees can see it frequently. If your pup is going to fly during very hot or very cold temperatures an airport to small to use a separate luggage warehouse would be my first choice.
The puppy will have to be paid for before it flies.
The shipping expenses will have to be paid before I can book/pay for the flight or buy the crate or pay the vet for the health exam.
I will need the names of who will pick up the puppy. EXACTLY the way they are printed on their driver's licenses (middle initial, etc). I have to send the names with the flight reservation. Airports will check your ID to make sure you are not stealing some one else's pup.
If the airline suddenly changes its shipping estimate drastically I can only forward the info to you, not absorb the expense. However refunding your puppy money and not shipping the puppy so you can investigate closer breeders is an option.
Puppy's Food: All flying puppies are fed a mix of Iams Large Breed dry Puppy food and Purina One Large Breed dry Puppy food for several days before they fly. I also mix a little canned food and water in most meals. Both of these foods are in almost every grocery store and department store in America. As long as you can buy just one of these foods your puppy won't suffer from a sudden diet change. Please shop for your puppy BEFORE it arrives. Puppy food, is the bare necessity. A toy or two to chew on. A puppy bed or a towel to call his own. A little bit of pine shavings to help housebreaking. Going shopping on the way home from the airport only adds to the time that your puppy is "in transit" and stressed. Please try to go straight home from the airport and allow your pup to sleep or play on its own schedule for a day if possible.
Items you MUST bring to the airport:
Photo ID, and the airway bill number (that I will send you) or they may not give you the pup without calling me 1st.
Items that are a good idea to bring to the airport:
Drinking water for the puppy (without minerals in it- no dasani, fuji, etc)
Paper towels or bedding in case it needs changing. A few plastic bags for soiled bedding.
Puppy food, just in case
An instant camera or cell phone camera- take a photo or two of the puppy and its color and markings when you take it out of the airline crate the for first time. If your pup escapes during a bathroom break on the way home you will have a photo that you can immediately start showing people.
Please feel free to send me a quick text to let me know your puppy made it safely, even if it is midnight or 2 am!
Imprinting- there is a very good chance that your puppy will form a special bond with the person holding it on the way home or the person that it can see or
sit beside while it is in its crate in the car. Your puppy is tired and stressed and it will seek comfort from the person closest to it in the car. You might want to sit
accordingly. Putting your puppy in its crate in the cargo area or alone in the back seat without anyone to see or talk to will not comfort him much at all. Please remember that the last car that ride he remembers is the one that took him to the vet check or put him on an airplane.
When you get home:
Give your pup time to go to the bathroom on a leash or preferably in a securely fenced yard and still on a leash if he is frightened. He does not know you yet and might be frightened of you as well. If he is off leash you might end up having to chase or catch him to bring him in the house or he might find a hole in the fence you did not know about. It could be a scary chase that he remembers for months that could interfere with your bonding. His person should stay with him to comfort him, it's a new place!
PINE SHAVINGS: Pick a spot in the yard that you would prefer he go to the bathroom- for the rest of his life. Put just a little handful where you would like him to go. I use pine shavings here in the puppy pens and it will help him relax and realize it's ok to "go" here. And please think ahead about the location, some dogs will "program" so well that they will habitually use this location for the rest of their lives if they are allowed to. When you travel with your puppy pine shavings (just a pinch) may help him "go" during potty breaks. I train my adult dogs who travel frequently that the phrase "Hurry Up" means it's time to go to the bathroom if you have too.
Offer him some food and water. He will enjoy a bit of canned food mixed into his dry food with water. Give him a chance to relax or take a nap in his airline crate in the same room as his new person he is tired. The kids can play with him when he wakes up and is rested.
Airline Shipping- So what can happen? (Please don't think the worst!)
A Pyr going to Alaska had to be rescheduled at the last minute once. The new family had to take time off of work to make the 12 hour drive to the airport. But when I arrived at my airport at 4:30 in the morning I was told the plane had just broken down and they were canceling all flights that day. The family had to take another day off work to pick up their pup when it flew the following week.
A Dobe's flight to Alaska had to be delayed a week because the only airline with a temperature controlled luggage train was booked (with passengers' luggage) for almost a week. It was winter so I am so glad the airport was honest ! I bet the pup and his new mom are glad too!
All of the flights from the airport go directly to Denver, CO to catch various transfers because the local flights average several people going to several different destinations. An Arizona family was originally quoted the $450 to fly their puppy. Then we discovered that the airline could go to their airport so I sent back the extra $200. When the pup arrived in Denver its connecting flight suddenly canceled. The airline gave the family a choice of paying for the pup could fly back to me so it could fly again next week or paying a Denver boarding kennel $150 to pick up the pup, keep it overnight, then bring it back to the airport for a flight the next morning. The family chose the overnight boarding and their pup arrived hale and hardy. I was not pleased that the airline company had "invited" the family to pay for an extra expense when it was not the family's fault the plane broke down. In the end the shipping was less than $450, but it wasn't the $250 we had hoped for. This particular airline company is now out of business, I am not surprised.
A few times I have had to buy crates locally with 2 doors (a side door and an end door). One puppy flew just fine to Denver, then surprise, the connecting flight decided they don't like two doors! Never mind the fact that these two door crates have tags saying that they are approved for international flights. When the airline discovered that their extra crate on site at the airport was two small they agreed to continue on with the 2 door crate. The next time I asked specifically if the connecting flight would have a heart attack at the sight of 2 doors and I was told "no problem". That second pup went to Denver and on to Minneapolis just fine. Then the flight out of Minneapolis threatened to send the pup back to me (its a 2 door crate- the world must be coming to an end!) After much begging and pleading by me and the ever so helpful cargo department personnel the pup continued its flight just fine. The only way (at that time for me) to get larger size single door crates is for me to special order them by mail. I am hoping to do so before another 3 month old puppy has to fly and I loose my temper (which would result in me being banned from a number of airline carriers for asking what IQ came up with their logic!)
Travel Diet for 2023 spring Collies:
dry Purina One Large Breed Puppy mixed with dry Iams Large Breed Puppy half and half
1 tablespoon canned Purina One Puppy food and 1 tablespoon Pedigree puppy food in each meal
water for mixing
Scheduling:
It actually starts weeks before their flight! 1st I have to verify if your chosen airport can accept your puppy when you want it. This often depends upon the number of passengers and the amount of anticipated luggage that has already been booked. Sometimes "the cargo department" will have open/closed hours and days.
Schedules also depend upon when there are airplanes available with the temperature controlled cargo areas and temperature controlled luggage trains. Almost all airlines have some temperature control in their luggage bays on certain airplane models. But each airplane has a different size area. Some but not all airline companies or airports will have temperature controlled luggage trains. (see a story below)
The airlines will only book a flight about a week in advance because the pup's safety is so weather and temperature dependent. When mother nature chooses to give us enough advance notice we try to schedule it right the first time, but some storms just aren't that considerate. And some are just down right sneaky- advertising only an inch of snow and then dumping over 6 inches. A few days before the flight your puppy will go to my vet for a check up, only veterinarian certified healthy puppies are accepted by the airlines. The day before the flight your puppy will get a bath. It will sleep in it's new airline crate to get used to it.
As soon as the booking is confirmed I will send you all of the flight information. You will be able to track your puppy as he flies if you wish.
Equipment:
Only brand new plastic airline crates, bedding and dishes are used to reduce disease exposure and ensure the strongest crate possible. I use white paper towels for bedding inside the crate. I attach two or in some cases three plastic dishes to the door of the airline crate. All puppies get to drink, eat a light breakfast and go to the bathroom before flying. The airlines also feed and water puppies every 12 hours if they have a long flight. A ziplock bag of dry food will be taped on top of the crate. You will also find some airline paperwork taped to the crate, and a leash and collar that fits your puppy. If your puppy isn't wearing it's collar it is because the airlines is afraid it might cause a problem when know one can see the puppy in the airplane.
Airlines will not allow any toys in the crate or any bandages on the puppy. (like cropped ears in a brace, etc.) This reduces the chance of your puppy choking on something or hurting its ears in a cargo bay when no one is watching.
Picking Up Your Puppy: In most cases your puppy will not have had any leash training by this age, so the leash and collar might frighten it. But at least you can hang onto your puppy when you get it out of the crate. Since airline shipping expense depends upon the size and weight of the puppy and crate - your puppy may only fit in its airline crate comfortably for a few weeks after it arrives. Please plan on buying a larger crate if you plan on keeping your puppy crate trained.
If you are getting two puppies they will may fly in their own separate crates or together depending upon age and airline policies.
Preparing for your flying puppy:
I will need to know your 1st and 2nd choice airport. Note- the larger the airport usually the easier the scheduling.
The smaller airports may be more expensive airfare and less flight time choices, but more personal care- especially if they are to small too have a separate luggage facility. Then the pup usually waits for you in the main building at comfortable human temperatures where employees can see it frequently. If your pup is going to fly during very hot or very cold temperatures an airport to small to use a separate luggage warehouse would be my first choice.
The puppy will have to be paid for before it flies.
The shipping expenses will have to be paid before I can book/pay for the flight or buy the crate or pay the vet for the health exam.
I will need the names of who will pick up the puppy. EXACTLY the way they are printed on their driver's licenses (middle initial, etc). I have to send the names with the flight reservation. Airports will check your ID to make sure you are not stealing some one else's pup.
If the airline suddenly changes its shipping estimate drastically I can only forward the info to you, not absorb the expense. However refunding your puppy money and not shipping the puppy so you can investigate closer breeders is an option.
Puppy's Food: All flying puppies are fed a mix of Iams Large Breed dry Puppy food and Purina One Large Breed dry Puppy food for several days before they fly. I also mix a little canned food and water in most meals. Both of these foods are in almost every grocery store and department store in America. As long as you can buy just one of these foods your puppy won't suffer from a sudden diet change. Please shop for your puppy BEFORE it arrives. Puppy food, is the bare necessity. A toy or two to chew on. A puppy bed or a towel to call his own. A little bit of pine shavings to help housebreaking. Going shopping on the way home from the airport only adds to the time that your puppy is "in transit" and stressed. Please try to go straight home from the airport and allow your pup to sleep or play on its own schedule for a day if possible.
Items you MUST bring to the airport:
Photo ID, and the airway bill number (that I will send you) or they may not give you the pup without calling me 1st.
Items that are a good idea to bring to the airport:
Drinking water for the puppy (without minerals in it- no dasani, fuji, etc)
Paper towels or bedding in case it needs changing. A few plastic bags for soiled bedding.
Puppy food, just in case
An instant camera or cell phone camera- take a photo or two of the puppy and its color and markings when you take it out of the airline crate the for first time. If your pup escapes during a bathroom break on the way home you will have a photo that you can immediately start showing people.
Please feel free to send me a quick text to let me know your puppy made it safely, even if it is midnight or 2 am!
Imprinting- there is a very good chance that your puppy will form a special bond with the person holding it on the way home or the person that it can see or
sit beside while it is in its crate in the car. Your puppy is tired and stressed and it will seek comfort from the person closest to it in the car. You might want to sit
accordingly. Putting your puppy in its crate in the cargo area or alone in the back seat without anyone to see or talk to will not comfort him much at all. Please remember that the last car that ride he remembers is the one that took him to the vet check or put him on an airplane.
When you get home:
Give your pup time to go to the bathroom on a leash or preferably in a securely fenced yard and still on a leash if he is frightened. He does not know you yet and might be frightened of you as well. If he is off leash you might end up having to chase or catch him to bring him in the house or he might find a hole in the fence you did not know about. It could be a scary chase that he remembers for months that could interfere with your bonding. His person should stay with him to comfort him, it's a new place!
PINE SHAVINGS: Pick a spot in the yard that you would prefer he go to the bathroom- for the rest of his life. Put just a little handful where you would like him to go. I use pine shavings here in the puppy pens and it will help him relax and realize it's ok to "go" here. And please think ahead about the location, some dogs will "program" so well that they will habitually use this location for the rest of their lives if they are allowed to. When you travel with your puppy pine shavings (just a pinch) may help him "go" during potty breaks. I train my adult dogs who travel frequently that the phrase "Hurry Up" means it's time to go to the bathroom if you have too.
Offer him some food and water. He will enjoy a bit of canned food mixed into his dry food with water. Give him a chance to relax or take a nap in his airline crate in the same room as his new person he is tired. The kids can play with him when he wakes up and is rested.
Airline Shipping- So what can happen? (Please don't think the worst!)
A Pyr going to Alaska had to be rescheduled at the last minute once. The new family had to take time off of work to make the 12 hour drive to the airport. But when I arrived at my airport at 4:30 in the morning I was told the plane had just broken down and they were canceling all flights that day. The family had to take another day off work to pick up their pup when it flew the following week.
A Dobe's flight to Alaska had to be delayed a week because the only airline with a temperature controlled luggage train was booked (with passengers' luggage) for almost a week. It was winter so I am so glad the airport was honest ! I bet the pup and his new mom are glad too!
All of the flights from the airport go directly to Denver, CO to catch various transfers because the local flights average several people going to several different destinations. An Arizona family was originally quoted the $450 to fly their puppy. Then we discovered that the airline could go to their airport so I sent back the extra $200. When the pup arrived in Denver its connecting flight suddenly canceled. The airline gave the family a choice of paying for the pup could fly back to me so it could fly again next week or paying a Denver boarding kennel $150 to pick up the pup, keep it overnight, then bring it back to the airport for a flight the next morning. The family chose the overnight boarding and their pup arrived hale and hardy. I was not pleased that the airline company had "invited" the family to pay for an extra expense when it was not the family's fault the plane broke down. In the end the shipping was less than $450, but it wasn't the $250 we had hoped for. This particular airline company is now out of business, I am not surprised.
A few times I have had to buy crates locally with 2 doors (a side door and an end door). One puppy flew just fine to Denver, then surprise, the connecting flight decided they don't like two doors! Never mind the fact that these two door crates have tags saying that they are approved for international flights. When the airline discovered that their extra crate on site at the airport was two small they agreed to continue on with the 2 door crate. The next time I asked specifically if the connecting flight would have a heart attack at the sight of 2 doors and I was told "no problem". That second pup went to Denver and on to Minneapolis just fine. Then the flight out of Minneapolis threatened to send the pup back to me (its a 2 door crate- the world must be coming to an end!) After much begging and pleading by me and the ever so helpful cargo department personnel the pup continued its flight just fine. The only way (at that time for me) to get larger size single door crates is for me to special order them by mail. I am hoping to do so before another 3 month old puppy has to fly and I loose my temper (which would result in me being banned from a number of airline carriers for asking what IQ came up with their logic!)