Protocols for New members..and regarding transport of pets!
 

Hi

Just to say that I realise that I made the mistake of not putting my message below previous postings, and apologise for any inconvenience. Out it down to me being new to this;)

Does anyone have any ideas of the cost of flying a German Shepherd dog from UK to Spain? We are assuming that the larger the dog, the greater the cost, but we aren't knowledgeable about it. Hubby is wondering if it would be better/easier to ferry/ drive through, but presumably there would still be kenneling on the ferry to consider?
Any advice please?
Thanks
Sally

Re: Protocols for New members..and regarding transport of pets!
 

Hello, we are going through the same thing at the moment - but with 3 chihuahuas. Basically it would be cheaper to travel by ferry. I think the price from Plymouth to Santander for a car and trailer is about £300, and it's around £20 to take your beloved pooch. However, the ferry journey is 21 hours and the dog would have to be in a kennel. You are able to visit him/her at specific times t let him out to toilet.

I have had numerous quotes from companies that specialise in transporting dogs by plane and on average it seems to cost around £500 for my 3 chihuahuas. It is expensive and would be a lot more for your pooch - at a guess i'd say £500-£600 (my mother-in-law has a boxer and was quoted £600). But it would eb a whole lot easier and quicker.

However, what you really need to consider, is how much "stuff" you are taking to Spain anyway. It might be that you would be better off driving if you are taking lots of furniture.

Hope this helps

Re: Protocols for New members..and regarding transport of pets!
 

Hi Sally,

It will be very expensive! We have a Maltese Terrier (the one under my name), it cost us £365 to take him and he was in a small cat box. My neighbours have a dog around the size of an German Shepherd and I think they were quote about £1000.

Re: Protocols for New members..and regarding transport of pets!
 

we are using eurotunnel, and the dog stays with you 35 min crossing £49.00.
me, hubby, son and dog in a transit van. may take 2 or 3 days to get there but it's all part of the adventure, and my beloved boy is never out of my sight.
hope this helps

Re: Protocols for New members..and regarding transport of pets!
 

Hi Busters mum and Cornish maid!
My husband and I are also going via channel tunnel for the same reason. :thumbsup: Don't want our pup (3 year old German Shepherd!) to fret because he is left unattended.:ohmy: We understand that we can all stay in the car (which is put on a train) together. :D I have checked out the tunnel website, and apparently there is somewhere to walk your dog at both ends, in case you arrive early or have to wait for any reason!:) Good luck with whatever you decide! :thumbsup:

Re: Protocols for New members..and regarding transport of pets!
 

We are taking 2 dogs with us when we move to spain in august.
We are going through the tunnel and driving as I dont like the idea of my little pup being scared!!!
At least if we drive I can stop for her to stretch her legs!!

Re: Protocols for New members..and regarding transport of pets!
 

We brought two cats with us on British Airways. They shared a large cat box and all we paid was £84 excess baggage.

Re: Protocols for New members..and regarding transport of pets!
 

With flying, you ahve to take into account the fact that you can only fly pets on specific airlines, not all will take pets, and the routes may be limited.

Re: Protocols for New members..and regarding transport of pets!
 

we do the tunnel quite a lot as we live near, (shopping in calais) it's great drive on the train away you go, drive straight off and on to the motorway, you do french customs in folkstone, busters mum

Re: Protocols for New members..and regarding transport of pets!
 

Hi Busters mum!

The trouble with the channel tunnel for us is that we live in West Cornwall, so it would add miles onto what would be a massive journey! There is the Plymouth/Santander ferry, of course, but it is a 24 hour crossing, and I am concerned about my dear old GSD. My preference would be to fly her out, but OH says it will be too expensive...my arguement is that she is worth it!
I am sure we will make a decision nearer the time, there is the small problem of selling the house first of course!

Re: Protocols for New members..and regarding transport of pets!
 

With regards to airlines that carry dogs to spain i have been advised my a few carriers to go through either:
Monarch, BMI Baby or ThomsonFly

Re: Protocols for New members..and regarding transport of pets!
 

Many thanks to all who have replied. I am certainly learning a lot in a very short time! midget gem: thanks for the details
of those airlines, I shall keep them in mind!

Re: Protocols for New members..and regarding transport of pets!
 

Don´t foget that if you fly your dog, you´re committed to flying with the same airline and not taking advantage of perhaps cheaper flights or to boarding him at one or other ends. Sometimes it can prove better to send him ahead of time and get a boarding kennel to pick him up and board him for a week till you arrive. The dog then isn´t around when you are doing last minute packing, which might prove less stressful for all of you and it saves you all the paperwork of collecting your dog at the other end.