I am taking my Weimaraner bitch who is 30" high to the top of her head when standing. The Carrier I want to buy is a Vari-kennel extra large but the internal height is around 28" making her "stoop" very slightly. I do not want to get the next size up (Giant size) since the weight will put her over the limit for excess baggage and I do not want to fly her cargo since there is no guarantee that she will be onb the same flight as me.

Does anyone have any experience of the carrier size that I intend to use for a dog this size? My concern is that the check in staff may say that she must be able to stand without stooping. Even though she would seem comfortable in that size.

i just bought over a fcr from sweden and the owners of his vari kennel was to small for him but ok for a short fligh,but it not just the flight it stasying in the kennel at both ends of the airport to take off and to be collected.
when i picked him up at gatwick the staff did say if he go on a long travel which he is next year to the usa to get a big kennel.

so it better to go for the big one.

when i pick up torsten fron gatwick and the staff said there that they have alot of second hand vari kennels for sale as alot of the owners have no use for them,so you could ring your local airport to see if there any for sale.

I would try an enquiry to DEFRA, or the airline you are useing  because I have led to beleive if there think the crate is not correct size for the dog they will stop them travelling

Qutie right , there are very rigid guidelines laid down as to size, and they SHOULD refuse to carry  any dog in a continaer smaller than the set down dimensions.  From memory you need at crate which is about 4inches bigger all round than the dog.  this would preclude one that forces the dog to stoop!  A couple of airlines were fined last year for carrying dogs in crates deemed too small.  DEFRA or any of the major shippers will be able to give the calculations.

bye
Gwen

Obviously I dont know the sort of flight you are planning, but i  flew a bitch last week and def. had to have room above head height, room  longer than length & must be able to turn around easily in crate (British midland International Airlines). Mine was over baggage weight too but there was no problem, I simply paid a bit extra for her extra weight.

Hi,

I am trying to make enquiries about flying my dog to Spain but am finding it very expensive.  I was wondering if you could tell me how much you paid.  I just want to know if it's really this much or whether there is a way to make it cheaper!!  Quote so far range from £367 + VAT - £592 + VAT.  And then I have to buy a crate as well which is about £100.  I have tried BA / Monarch / Brittania.

Thank you,

Sarah.

When I looked into flying a puppy to Aberdeen I got quotes over £200 when I commented on the excessive amount I was told that they start at £200 + VAT upto a certain distance so I could send a puppy to Spain say for the same amount!