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need to fly a pup and worried about size

  
Sienna

get it!
 
 
Barked: Sun Nov 1, '09 8:28am PST
Hi, not sure if anyone can help me but I have a situation and I'm not sure what to do. I need to know the difference in size and weight of an 8 week versus an 11 week old female German Shorthair Pointer.

The gist is my friends dog had puppies and I signed up to get one but they are 3,000 miles away so a flight is involved. At first she thought they'd be born early Nov and so we thought they'd be ready for x-mas and my folks live an hour from her so it was perfect - my husband and I would spend x-mas w/ the folks and get the pup! Being financially concerned and what with the way flights go for the holidays I (stupidly) booked a flight before she was born - I had to make sure that she would be at least 8 weeks old as that is the minimum age to fly so am flying back Jan 4th. Now that she was born earlier she will almost be 11weeks old at that point and I am freaked out she will be too big to fit as a carry on. Carry on allowance: total 20lbs dog and carrier. Carrier size 17"long x 12.5"wide x 8"high. I haven't gotten the carrier yet but think the soft ones can squish some so I could maybe get a 10" high one? At any rate this is really small...

As this is in upstate NY in December I don't want to and don't even know if you can put a dog under the plane in the cold weather. So options are - I can pay to change our flight so we go way earlier and come back right when she is 8 weeks old - however of course my folks are already planning on us for x-mas and ya know. Or I can chance it that she will fit?

So, if anyone can shed light on the size/weight difference that would be immensely helpful... I know the parents size matters too: both are purebred gsp's and the mom weighs 47lbs and the dad I'm not positive but he isn't a huge boy.

If anything let this be a lesson for others...wait to get a flight until they are born!
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Ollivander

Super Silver- Service Poodle
 
 
Barked: Sun Nov 1, '09 9:22am PST
Ollie is a poodle, but at 8.5 weeks he was 13 lbs, and at 12 weeks he was 17.5 lbs. His parents were larger than usual, and he is a bigger pup than usual, though. Full grown he is about 75 lbs. So maybe 11 weeks old for you would be OK? It'll be cutting it close, though.
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Lilith

Aro-ro-ro!
 
 
Barked: Mon Nov 2, '09 8:09am PST
No big deal if you get there and realize the new pup is too big for in cabin. As checked baggage, they are also in pressurized and heated compartments. Luna flew to us via Delta at 12 weeks old, at 3lbs.. did perfectly fine. We plan to fly out 14 hours overseas this winter too.. we're not really worried. wink
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Wiley E- Coyotes

Dogs are a- (wo)man's best- friend
 
 
Barked: Thu Nov 5, '09 2:59pm PST
Hey there,

Travelling with pets can be difficult because of all of the rule/regulations of airlines these days. I'm not sure of the difference in size between an 8 and 11 week old pup, but you may find this article useful about flying with dog from Petcentric. Here are some key take-aways from it:

"Reservations are mandatory, and you must check in at the ticket counter.
Your dog must be at least eight weeks old.
Most airlines require a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel.
Expect a $100 charge for small to medium kennels, $200 for intermediate to extra large."

Also, here's the aritcle for some more tips/info: http://www.petcentric.com/Stories/Articles/Dog-Travel-by-Air.aspx?ar ticleid=ab857ff8-45e6-4131-820f-f6332b1d2bdc
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Donovan'sMaj- esticJet of- Solace

Street sweeper!
 
 
Barked: Mon Nov 9, '09 5:58am PST
It shouldnt be a problem. I dont remember how much my pup weighed at 8 weeks, but he is over 115lbs now and was a very large pup. They have to be able to turn around in the kennel.
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Bam-Bam, CGC

Lil' Rubble
 
 
Barked: Mon Nov 9, '09 9:58am PST
Dont' worry about it... I know tons of folks who fly with mastiff pups, and at 8 weeks old they are 20lbs or more!
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Sienna

get it!
 
 
Barked: Sat Nov 14, '09 11:49am PST
Thanks everyone for all the comments and suggestions!

I decided not to chance it and changed our flight so that we will be going 3 weeks earlier and flying her back when she is 8 weeks and two days old. The price wasn't that much to change it and I just felt like it is a bad time of year to leave things to chance. Plus JetBlue doesn't seem to accept pets as checked baggage so there really wouldn't be a backup. Now we won't miss out on the ultra cute and fun young puppy weeks and all the bonding and training time. Plus it shouldn't be quite so busy a travel time a few weeks before X-mas and if we get delayed it isn't such a big deal.

Thanks again!
-Patty
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