Help with choosing correct kennel size for air travel

[Zdenka Badlikova]

Hello,

Can anybody please help us with our dilemma? We are flying home soon and we’d like to take our Irish Setter Bruno with us. We know all about the regulations and we have all the necessary paperwork in order. Our dilemma is with choosing a kennel size that’s right for him. He’s 70cm (27.5inch) tall in the withers, almost 1m (39inch) long and weighs 30.5 kg (67.3lbs). The flight should be just under 4hrs long.

 

Has anyone here ever used an airline with a dog similar in size to ours? What crate did you use? Would any XL size be large enough or do we need the Giant type?

[Carmel Murphy]

You need to get a crate approved by the IATA  www.iata.org  and it needs to be big enough for Bruno to stand up and longer than his body! Also it is a good idea to buy or borrow a crate well before you trave,l to let Bruno get used to sleeping in it, then he wont mind it when it is time to travel;o) I have used the Gulliver travel crates and found them really great!!

[Zdenka Badlikova]

Thank you very much Carmel. We have at home already 2 cages ( 1st XL, 40L 27W 30H what is Gulliver cage number 7 and then Giant what is 48L, 32W, 35H). I have a feeling that XL cage is not comfortable enough, he can stand up but head must be hold a little bit down and when he lie down he doesn't looks very comfy, special head. The giant cage look too big, he has space everywhere and air lane company what we going to use do not accept giant cage.

Carmel tell me please could you fit Bailey into Gulliver cage number 7. If you can then is not problem for Bruno because he smaller. Maybe it is just my opinion that it is small for him because I don't use cage  before just soft one.

Thank you very much I very greatful

[Carmel Murphy]

I dont think Bailey would fit in Gulliver no. 7 as this one I only used for two pups going to USA, so next size Gulliver would be better! I presume you can get that bigger size here in ireland(perhaps in one of the large pet stores?) Just checked out www.zooplus.ie and they have a slightly larger one than the Gulliver , but only country they cannot be used for are Switzerland and Italy, so that wont affect you;o))

[Zdenka Badlikova]

Thank you,

I going to have a look to pet shops around and I will see. Problem is that I couldn't find slightly bigger just giant cage.

I hope that we will have a good luck, otherwise we starting considering travel by car..............and make a trip through Europe.......

I let you know how we did and thank you again very much. You said what I needed to know that cage XL is not big enough.

[silvia]

http://www.pettravelstore.com/categories/Pet-Crates-%26-Accessories...

 

also according to this one XL should be ok, if he's a few inches smaller than the cage height..

[Zdenka Badlikova]

Silvia thank you very much for links.

[silvia]

Dear Zdenka

 

http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/live_animals/Pages/pets.aspx

 

according to this web site it should be ok, since his height is ~28 and the crate height is 30.. but it looks strange to me: I feel I read something in which there were extra cm to be added at the top of the head in order to match the regulations.. I am trying to find the relevant links..  in any case, also check with the airline since different airlines have slightly different interpretations.. which one are you using? best, silvia

[Zdenka Badlikova]

Hi I have a use Malew to Budapest and then Lufthansa on the way back. How you said everyone accept something else.

[Zdenka Badlikova]

Thank you

[silvia]

and let us know how it goes :)

[silvia]

http://cyuat.baplc.com/products/How%20to%20measure%20your%20dog.pdf

 

also this one confirms my previous link.. so maybe it just looks small to us, but in the end XL is ok?