Airline crate

[GJPollman]

I just wanted to check to see what the recommended crate size was for a 2 yr old male for flying international, im hoping someone has experiance with this. I have a vari kennel series 500 40L x 27W x 30T. he seems to have pleanty of room but i dont want to book the $800 flight only to get turned around because they think its too small. thanks for any help

[Nishasmom]

Check with the airline you are flying with. They usually have standards and size requirements.

[Mini Me]

Every airline requirment that I've read just says that the dog 'has to be able to stand up and turn around comfortably'. I'm wondering if the airline would let you bring your guy and his crate down before booking the flight to make sure you won't be required to purchase a larger one?

[jlaack]

Yes check with the airline. Each has their own restrictions and requirements. Some have a kennel max size limit.

[skigod377]

The Vari kennel size you need is "Giant." I think its the same for most kennel brands, but not sure. You def dont want to be turned away, and for a long international flight, your pups should have a bit more room than recommended.

[RottsNScotts]

All the adult Rotties I have flown or seen flown fly in a Vari Kennel 500 size. The next size up, the 700, would be way too big for a standard sized dog and few airlines will fly them as excess baggage anyway.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by RottsNScotts

All the adult Rotties I have flown or seen flown fly in a Vari Kennel 500 size. The next size up, the 700, would be way too big for a standard sized dog and few airlines will fly them as excess baggage anyway.

I agree. I don't think the larger (700..Giant) is needed or required by the airline for rotts. I flew Shane (large male) to Seattle in the Vari Kennel 500 size from Ohio, and it was fine. I did drill some holes in the front and ran some threaded rods sideways in front of the door, and secured the ends with wing nuts from the outside so that the door could not be "accidentally" opened during the trip. Put emergency info on a big sticker on top of the crate...your name, cell phone number...

[skigod377]

Originally Posted by Skip

I agree. I don't think the larger (700..Giant) is needed or required by the airline for rotts. I flew Shane (large male) to Seattle in the Vari Kennel 500 size from Ohio, and it was fine. I did drill some holes in the front and ran some threaded rods sideways in front of the door, and secured the ends with wing nuts from the outside so that the door could not be "accidentally" opened during the trip. Put emergency info on a big sticker on top of the crate...your name, cell phone number...

Are you guys sure? Because I just went to the PX (store) today and sized the 500 and it did not leave alot of wiggle room for my rottie (Approx 103lbs.) I had to order 2 Giant sized ones because all they had in stock was the 500's. Also, on the tag for the 500s, the recommended breed size does not say Rottweiler, like it does on the Giant size. I guess for me, giant is ok regardless since my flight is gonna be so long... I do know the above poster was correct about them needed to be able to stand up and turn around in the cage.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by skigod377

Are you guys sure? Because I just went to the PX (store) today and sized the 500 and it did not leave alot of wiggle room for my rottie (Approx 103lbs.) I had to order 2 Giant sized ones because all they had in stock was the 500's. Also, on the tag for the 500s, the recommended breed size does not say Rottweiler, like it does on the Giant size. I guess for me, giant is ok regardless since my flight is gonna be so long... I do know the above poster was correct about them needed to be able to stand up and turn around in the cage.

Shane is almost 27" tall and about 126 pounds. The 500 kennel was fine. It's the same size crate I use when driving to shows. If you feel better getting the "giant" size, then get it, but the dog will be laying down for the most part, and the 500 is plenty big for that.

[RottsNScotts]

Yep, I'm sure! My dogs have flown so much, they should have frequent flyer miles! I have 700's in my van as we do a lot of driving as well but they fly in 500's. You don't want a lot of extra room as there is no way to warn them of air turbulence and, with the extra room, they could be thrown about rather badly.

[skigod377]

Thanks to you both. I will have to check again, then, and actually bring the dogs to the store. I dont want to waste that much space if I dont have to, and you are right about the turbulence. I didnt even think of that.

[RottsNScotts]

The Rotties I have flown the most were Abbo at 25", 105 pounds and Toby at 27", 120 pounds. Both flew in 500's and were very content. Abbo made two trips to Europe from WA state in his 500 as well as trips from coast to coast here in the US. Toby made multiple coast to coast trips.

[GJPollman]

Thanks for all the replys, my rottie can turn fine in the series 500 i have from him now. I was worried as most airlines wont take a series 700 becuase its too big to fit through the loading doors on the plane, only the DC-10 i think it is will take 700's.

Im hoping this is easy and stress free for him and he doesnt end up hating me. last time i left him with a friend for 3 days while i went to Italy when i came home he would come to me anymore. Any recommendations to make this as easy as possible for him

[jlaack]

I hope your trip is longer than 3 days? There is no way I'd take a dog on an international flight unless I planned to be away for a while.

last time i left him with a friend for 3 days while i went to Italy when i came home he would come to me anymore.

My guess is you didn't properly screen who and how he was being watched.

One other tip, someone suggested putting your emergency contact info on the crate (good idea). Anytime I have ever flown dogs they have the shipping information attached that includes emergency contacts. I also would recommend (I do this myself) decorating the outside of the crate such that it stands out from other kennels. This allows you to see the kennel from the gate or the plane and also makes the kennel stick out to staff that is handling the kennel. If I do not physically see my dog being put on the plane which I will be flying on, I insist that a flight attendant calls to baggage and confirms that the dog was loaded. The last thing you would want would be to get to Europe and find out that your dog was mishandled baggage and still in the US or routed to a different country. Just a tip I learned from someone else.

[RottsNScotts]

Make sure he is really, really used to being in his crate for long periods and used to having it moving. For example, if he has only been in his crate in your house, put it in your car and go for a fairly long drive that has turns, stops and starts, etc. Get a friend/significant other to help you pick the crate up while he is in it and move it a short distance - DON'T drop it! Have some friends that do not know him or don't know him well look briefly at him while he is in his crate. Make sure he behaves! Have one of these people go over him briefly with plastic/vinyl gloves on (some TSA employees do this!). Take him places that are busy and noisy. If you are going to pull him in his crate to the check in desk, practice that.

I found it can also make him more "personable" to the baggage handling crew if you put his picture, call name and a little paragraph explaining that this is his first flight on the top of the crate. Seems to make them more understanding if he is showing stress or is unhappy.

And most of all, YOU approach the whole thing calmly and confidently. Give yourself even more time than the usual 2 hours to check in as one frequently gets an agent that has not checked a dog in before! (I swear, Alaska, Frontier and Delta ought to PAY me for the training their agents get when I arrive!)