Please could anyone help me. I am hoping to import a puppy from Southern Ireland in February 2003. I have contacted the Kennel Club who have sent me the form to register the puppy with them together with information on what I need to do this. Could anyone tell me if I need to contact anyone else relating to importing a puppy from Southern Ireland, and if so which authorities do I need to contact and how do I go about it. I would really appreciate any help anyone could give me.

Many thanks Charlie

I don't think so Charlie, you need Mari or Dizzy who I think would know for sure, so hang on in there one or the other will be along soon. Ja:)kie

Charlie where are you from . taking a puppy to england is no bother but if going anywhere else you will need an exporter to do it .
Mari

I come from Kent in England. I just was not sure whether I had to contact anyone about bringing a puppy over from Southern Ireland, as I intend on going over and bringing her back by ferry, not by flying.

Thank you for replying to my post

Charlie

Charlie, there are no import/export problems, but check and double check the ferry company rules. I'm bringing a pup to Mari tomorrow, and had intended to go by the Stranraer-Belfast (Stena) or Cairnryan-Larne (P&O) ferry. At the UK end both companies told me that foot passengers cannot bring dogs as all dogs (except guide dogs) must remain in the car. But at the Irish end, Stena told Mari that a puppy could go on the passenger deck as long as it is in a cage . As for flying across, Aer Lingus require the pup to be at least 10 weeks old and to be fully vaccinated, but Ryanair don't have any age limitation and don't ask for any documentation.

Sharon thank you very much for your for the info, it is very helpful, I am not sure which ferry service runs from fishguard, but on your advice, I will definitely check.

Thank you for the information regarding flying, but I have heard many bad things about dogs flying so this is not an option for me, I think the time it will take to travel by car from Ireland back with my new pup is going to be bad enough for her, together with coming into a new environment I think flying would be too much for a young pup to handle, I don't plan to travel alone having my other half keeping an eye on her, hopefully the journey for her will not be too traumatic.

I hope everything goes well for you tomorrow.

Charlie

Thanks Charlie :-). I haven't done the Fishguard - Rosslare crossing, but you will be fine as long as you are taking your car as, at worst, you will be able to leave the puppy in it. I think they also have on-board kennels on that route (Mari may know), but I'd try to 'look before you book' as I've heard bad reports of ferry kennels, and there is always an infection risk with a wee pup. With luck you will be able to bring puppy onto the passenger deck in a pup carrier - rules are often a bit more relaxed at the Irish end :-).

I worried a lot the first time I flew with a dog, but apart from one recent contratemps at Edinburgh airport when the airport staff 'mislaid' the dog, it has been fine and although the Edinburgh chaos left me ready for a nervous breakdown (and several airport staff having one :-)), it didn't fizz on the dog.

It's a long time ago but the last and only time I went over to Ireland with a dog, was when we went over as part of the Scottish Agility/Obedience Team to the Dublin Horse Show. We travelled by train so had to use the on board kennels and if I had known before what they were like I would prob not have gone. They consisted of 8 or 10 airline type crates piled two high and lashed down with cable. They were on the car deck right next to loading ramp, as we were there I couldn't do much but I'm glad it was my Boxer and not one of the Beardies as I think they would have been terrified. I insisted on putting him in a bottom crate as I felt he was much too big to go on the upper level. Luckily we were allowed to go down and disembark before all the lorries etc statred beltching fumes
Anne

Anne, banning dogs from places 'for the health, comfort and safety of others' sends me to the fair. They don't ban obnoxious drunks and screaming, rioting kids from ferries after all! I used to go back and forwards between Scotland and N. Ireland with a couple of wolfhounds/deerhounds regularly, and they never bothered anyone. In fact I often felt like a kiddy minder because the hounds amused so many of the youngsters on board, and I remember a man coming over at the end of the journey to say that he didn't like dogs but the hounds had made him reconsider. But now the sight of a puppy in a carrier risks disturbing the 'health, comfort and safety of others'. Grrrr - I hate political correctness and idiotic attmepts to remove to remove all concievable risk/unpleasantness (real & imagined!) from life !!!!

<rant mode off>

Ok Charlie . Sharon is right re scotland . If you are going by ferry you will travel to wales and get on the ferry at fishgaurd . I took a cabin and asked if I could take the puppy with me to cabin as he was caged.
I asked that on the customer service desk before I got off at fishguard they allowed it no bother .That was only last july.
The alternative is if you are driving the puppy can stay in the car ,and you can get a steward to open and let you check him .
if caged they will allow you down to kennel him and also let you check .
It is no bother at all .
This is the slow ferry Im not too sure re the fast ferry
I went by fast ferry over took the slow one back
Mari

Mari, its your Beatified presence, Bord Fáilte accent and fringes that do it :-)! For some reason Ian Paisley in drag tones, demonic presence and tatty clothes just don't have the same effect :D

where in Ireland are you going ?
I can tell you the right ferry to get if I know
Mari

charlie, i had a puppy flown over to marie in ireland last year, -it was fairly straight forward, -i feel it was kinder on the pup too, it cut the travelling time down lots-would of even more if poor marie hadnt of got stuck in major traffic, all i had to do was get a letter from my vet saying the pup was fit, -buy a travell box that fit, then drive the pup to the airport, -it was weighed there, the flight paid for, then i had to wait to hear from marie it had arrived, that was the worst part of it-id think hard About having your puppy flown over to you, its much easier and id imagine less stress all around. what breed is it youre having,/???

And If I had never got that Puppy I would not be getting my second Sharpei now and I would not have met the wonderful Dizzy and the Saintly Sharon who does not look like a saint but is one.
[ angelic smile here , he he ]
And Sharon would not be back in bullmastiffs quiet so fast ,
Not forgetting the lovely Val and the sweetheart Billy . oh lordy lord what a lot this board has to answer for :D :D Mari

hell yes -this board has a lot to answer for !!! hasnt it sharon

Absolutely Linda! But without it I wouldn't have got Brett or found out what you do in a horsebox, or seen the Daisy Delicious Diet in action. And worst of all neither of us would know that Saints can (and do!) press the waistband of a skirt whilst ironing the fringes ........ :D!

Mari, I am collecting the puppy from Carlow, which seems to be midway between Dublin and Rosslare. Which is one of the reasons I thought taking the ferry would be better, although reading the replies about flying the puppy over and it maybe be less stressful for her, I think perhaps I should now consider this as a better alternative. The puppy will be 8 weeks old and is a terrier so is quite small, and I suppose if there are flights from gatwick and back my car travel time would only be 40 minutes to Dublin plus the flight and about 40 minutes to home once I picked the puppy up. Compared with more than 12 hours travelling. I am now not really sure how to bring her back, my main concern is not upsetting her too much.

what would you suggest?

Charlie

Charlie,

Anywhere in county carlow is at least one and a half hours from Dublin airport depending on traffic.

I live near carlow and have done that trip

Still a lot less than the ferry time :)

Theresa

Theresa,

I had no idea it would take that amount of time, distances on maps are rather deceptive, but I think you are right an hour and a half it lot better time wise going to Dublin than travelling and then taking the ferry. I am going to contact Ryanair as Sharon McCrea said that they take puppies that are under 10 weeks old, to see what arrangements I would have to make with them regarding bringing my puppy back. I will also ask my breeder to get a letter from his vet to say that puppy is fit to travel.

Does anyone know the best type of carrier for flying for a puppy and where I could get one?

Many thanks for all of your help you have all been very very helpful.

Charlie

Hi Charlie, I have had three dogs flown by Ryanair, and no problems. The dogs flew from Scotland to Stanstead. The only stipulation thay make is that the crate musnt be more than 48ins long. The flight was 1 hour 10 mins , against an 8-9 hour drive. One of the dogs was an eight week old pup, and he came through it totally fine and dandy. hth put your mind at rest a bit. :)

Iam sure the people would take thepuppy to the airport for you .
and meet you there .
If they would then you could do it ryan air
Sharon delivered Malachy to me today and he was fine not a bother . Find out if the breeder will take him to the airport for you and work from there,
If you get no joy maybe I can help .
Mari

i may also be able to help charlie, re taking the pup to the airport for you

Theresa

Yes Theresa thats what I meant also .
I am fifty miles from Carlow.
If Charlie arrives on an early flight it would not be a bother .
mari

Theresa & Mari,

Thank you both for your kind offer of collecting my puppy from her breeder, I have contacted them and they have said that they are willing to bring her to Dublin for me. But if for any reason they are unable to nearer the date, I will if it is still ok and convenient take you up on your kind offer.

Once again thank you for your help and offer it is very much appreciated, it is so nice to think that there are still people who are kind enough to offer to help someone they don't know in this day and age.

Charlie

No bother Charlie let us know how you go. Mari

Does Ryanair allow small dogs to fly in the cabin with the passengers or is it required that they go in the hold? Just curious, since it would be very easy (imo) to get a soft sided carrier that fits under the seat in front of you :) + it's a short flight :)
regards,
toodles

Hi Sara, not sure about longer ones but they don't on the short hop flights.

Hi Charlie, I took Malachy (8 weeks) across to Mari by Ryanair yesterday and it was fine. Evidently puppies have charm to melt even the most jobsworthy of airport staff as everyone was falling over themselves to fuss him and make sure that he was happy and comfortable :-). Someone has to fly with a dog on Ryanair flights. Mari's last Shar Pei Berry came by Aer Lingus and travelled alone, but Berry had to be 10 weeks and vaccinated for that. If you do go by Ryanair, all you have to do is make the booking by telephone rather than on-line, and say you are travelling with a dog. They can only carry four animals per flight, so they will check the flight you want and if it is OK make the booking and e-mail your confirmation. The dog costs £15 extra. On the day check in with the pup about an hour before the flight is due. The person at check in will give you your boarding card and watch you put the tag on the carrier. They will then direct you to 'outsize baggage'. The staff there will check that the carrier tag and boarding card match, then will ask you to take the pup out of the carrier and will search the carrier or put it through the X-Ray machine. After that they take the puppy in its carrier to the baggage area. By that time you should be ready to go to the departure lounge. Try to be one of the first to board and grab a window seat on the right hand side (Ryanair doesn't have designated seats). With luck you will be able to see your puppy loaded on to the aircraft. The pup should be first 'baggage' off the plane and someone will bring it to you in its carrier. If there is going to be a problem it will be in getting you and the puppy in the same place at the arrival airport, so if you can find out in advance where the puppy will be brought to you. If that isn't possible, as soon as you de-plane go straight to the Ryanair desk and ask them.

Any rigid carrier is OK, but I've travelled with adult dogs an collapsable wire carriers and managing puppy and collapsed cage and then putting up the cage while the dog 'helps' is a bit of a nightmare. The best sort of carrier is the enclosed plastic type with a grille door. Many pet shops sell them, or failing that look on-line. I'm not sure what brand Mari's carrier was, but a Vari-kennel or Marchioro carrier is the sort of thing you want. Best of luck!

Dear Sharon,

Thank you, your reply has been really really helpful. I have decided that I will definitely fly her over. I have spoken with my breeder who is more than willing to bring her to Dublin Airport and meet me, they are also going to arrange for a letter from their Vet to say that she is healthy and fit to fly. I did not realise that the cost of her flight would be so cheap, I was expecting it to be a lot more!

When I book my flight I will ask where the pick-up point will be for her on my return flight as you suggest.

Everyone has been so helpful thank you all again for your advice and help

Charlie