Hello from Chicago

[lcmwest]

Hi everyone-
I just joined the forum recently. Next weekend, I am going to pick up my new frenchie puppy. She will be 12 weeks old. I have been doing my research, but welcome anyadvice ;)
We plan on having her join us in our travels when she is a little older. Does anyone have any experience with flying with a frenchie? I know some airlines allow dogs in the cabin... I would love to hear form ou on this topic. thanks, Lynne

[Martina]

Welcome and Congratulations!! While I don't have experience with flying with the pups, there are some people here who do ... I have, however, driven cross country with mine. Let's just say that anything a frenchie does with you is a joy and a half for them!! When the days are cool and I'm running errands (so not more than 30min in any store), I frequently take them with me - and they love it! Get ready for f-u-n!

[franp]

Hi everyone-
I just joined the forum recently. Next weekend, I am going to pick up my new frenchie puppy. She will be 12 weeks old. I have been doing my research, but welcome anyadvice ;)
We plan on having her join us in our travels when she is a little older. Does anyone have any experience with flying with a frenchie? I know some airlines allow dogs in the cabin... I would love to hear form ou on this topic. thanks, Lynne

Hi Lynne,

Welcome.. I have taken Dari several times across country with me.

The best advice; Get a Sherpa bag and take your pup EVERYWHERE the first few months in the bag..That way she will get used to the bag and when you travel she will not complain.

When Dari sees her bag, she gets soo excited. It means she is going somewhere; even if I am taking the cats to the vet..Then I have to contend with a disappointed dog.
When you do take her on a plane trip; do not feed her the morning of the trip.This makes it easier for her not to have to go to the bathroom.I give water in limited amounts on the plane shortly before landing for the same reason.

[Borgan]

Welcome, Windy City!

We flew Luna out from Edmonton to Vancouver in a sherpa bag to bring her home the first time and it was very simple.

Your must give the airline advance notice of bringing your dog in the cabin (some charge around 50$ for the "priveledge"), then you must find a carrier that fits under the seat in front of you (pet supply stores will tell you which ones fit), and the dog must be able to stand up and turn around inside the carrier. You are not allowed to remove your dog from the carrier until you are inside the terminal, if you are traveling within your own country.

If you are traveling internationally, you must have all paperwork showing up-to-date vaccinations (Bordatella & Rabies) and proof of ownership. You might also face quarantine if you are traveling outside of North America. We bring our dog across the US/Canada border all the time without hassle or quarantine, but when we considered migrating to Australia, we faced a 3 month quarantine. We also considered Japan and it was only 12 hours quarantine with the right paperwork.

Keep in mind, though, that some Frenchies grow quickly and sizeably! Luna no longer fits it the cabin-sized sherpa (a duffle bag with mesh sides and lambskin mat) at 23lbs, so we would be required to crate her in the baggage hold of the plane, which I would only do if we were re-locating – the hold is cold, noisy and lonely.

So for now it's road trips!

-Brooke.

ps. Fran – I can't believe Dari still fits under the seat...you are so lucky! Or do you buy her a seat ;) She must be tiny! What are her measurements? Luna is 14" high and 23" long. I tried to cram her in the sherpa just for kicks and it was like trying to get in my skinny jeans on a fat day. Her face was all pressed up against the mesh.

[franp]

Brooke

NO ONE ever checks that they can stand or turn around.. I have the largest Sherpa.She is 23 lbs and 12 in at the shoulder.
Dari gets in and goes to sleep.That is it.As long as I do not travel Jet Blue (they have those stupid tv cameras under the seat) we are fine.

As for under the plane; I would leave my dog home before I would do that.There was an article in the NYTIMES travel section about 2 years ago talking about how dangerous it is.No matter what the airline says; it is cold. noisey and dark. Do not even think about how the employees handle the crates..

[lcmwest]

glad to hear you can fit her under the seat, even at 23 lbs. How big is the largest Sherpa? I would never consider the baggage compartment either! What airlines have you used and which are best for pet friendly travel?

[franp]

Just buy whatever Sherpa is the largest; they come in sizes..Don't get the ones with wheels. The wheels take up too much room And people are in such a rush that if you roll the bag, it might get hit.

As for airlines;as I remeber, Continental is pretty good. But you need to call. They change rules often.

fran

[Borgan]

Fran,

I'm so glad to hear they don't check! I'm such a square when it comes to rules, just doing whatever I'm told ;) This really opens up our travel options!

-Brooke.

[gilazno]

appicon congrats on your new addition!!!! We have not flown with biggie at 28lbs he is too big to fit under the seat i believe :( but whenever we drive anywhere overnight, he is there with us! now we cannot have him outside with our cars running or he plants his little feet and just stares at the car door!!!

[Marcel]

Lynne,try link http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art3784.asp .It is a challenge to travel with dog over 8lb by the airplane,unless you own one.Olga

[lcmwest]

Great link. It sure does make it look fairly restrictive. Good to know some others here have had better experiences. Lynne

[miamcm]

Welcome Lynne! Have you checked up www.******.com ?? There is a Chicago french bulldog ****** group and I believe this weekend they are having their ****** downtown Chicago. I belong and think I might venture up to Chicago for this ******! Check it out!

Marie appicon

[Linnysmommy]

Marie,
Thanks so much for the link. I am busy this weekend but it sounds like a fun group. I live very close to Chicago so hopefully will come at some point.