Do We Ship our Puppies?

We have shipped about 3 puppies each litter and have had rave reviews from the families on the receiving ends. The puppies have arrived in good condition, anxious to get out of their crates and play, and to meet their new family. We will not ship puppies younger than 8 weeks old.

We have used Continental, Delta and Alaska Airlines and have not had a complaint with any of them. I work with the various scheduling departments to find the most direct flight possible. In the summer, Continental is the only airline we can use because they are the only ones who offer climate controlled animal shipping. The airlines track the temperatures carefully during the trip. The puppies are also insured by the airlines during the trip.

One family bought a male Springer from us and a female from another small breeder. They were to arrive about the same time in Reno. If you click here you can read her email back to me. She was very pleased with Astro's temperament and his shipping to her.

We can ship our bigger dogs at 8 weeks of age, but will wait to ship our Papillons at 9 to 12 weeks depending on their size.

Shipping fees are usually about $300. This is in addition to the price of the puppy. This includes: The airline fees including taxes

                                   A new crate that you get to keep

                                   The health certificate by a Veterinarian

                                    Food and Water bowls

                                    Chew toys for your puppy's trip

                                    Gas for the mileage to the airport

Full payment is required before we ship and expected by the time the puppy is 7 weeks old.

When you go to the airport to pick up your puppy, you will need a picture ID. And, do not take your puppy out in the airport. There are just too many animals traveling through these facilities and it could be a risk to her health. Take a damp cloth (I like microfiber) and a dry towel or blanket, a potty pad and a bowl for water and food. She has been eating Kirkland puppy food and needs to have that available. It is the Costco brand. If this is not accessible to you, please let me know. Also remember that though we are tempted to give treats, a puppy's tummy is delicate and needs to not be confused by new foods. They get the runs very easily. BTW, canned pumpkin helps firm up stools. You will want to add 1 t of plain yogurt to her morning and evening meals.

Please do not take him/her out in the cargo department for so many puppies are shipped every day and you do not want to expose him to any dangers. Your puppy will have had his shots kept up to date, but I still recommend not taking your puppy into public areas until he/she is 16 weeks old. Do not ever put a pup down on "unknown" ground until it has had a series of 3 puppy shots AND is at least 16 weeks of age. Only put your puppy on ground that you know what and who has been there before. And, you know that no parvo-carrying dog has been in that area. 

Do expect loose bowels right after the puppy flies to you. It is a result of all the excitement from changes: an airplane ride, altitudinal changes,  new home and new people. This excitement is expressed via the puppy's small and delicate digestive system. Their food is digested faster during this excitement phase. After about 12-24 hours, all is back to normal in the poop department. Not all vets are up on this and some vets have told new puppy buyers that they needed hundreds of dollars of tests, etc. and scared the person half to death. 

A tip for shipping is to put almost an entire roll of shredded paper towels in a size 200 or 300 crate. They insulate against heat and cold, and the pup can form a nest for comfort. Accidents are easily buried, too! They are much more absorbent than newspaper.

To compare the different airlines' policies regarding flying with pets, click here

A new pet airline is taking off!  http://www.petairways.com/front_page

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