I have done everything needed, now I have to pick a size crate and book the flight. I am in talks with the airline most days so we have it all picked, just need to confirm. I am thinking the XL sky/vari kennel crate but am worried he will grow in the time between I buy it and the time when he flys... I cannot see him needing a giant crate but I have never seen either of these crates 'in real life' so it's hard to imagine the size by the dimensions alone but currently he is 15kgs, and awaiting up to date measurements from the breeder. I don't see a 4 month old pup requiring a Giant crate, well maybe an IW, but I guess my concern is like most pet companies they consider XL and Giant to be....labrador sizes!! LOL. He flys in 4 weeks and is 3 months old.

Can the breeder not advise you as to what size her pups are at 4 months old?

Yes she can, but I genuinely feel I don't give her a day off without a new question or comment and while she says she doesn't mind.....I think I would mind in her shoes so don't want to be annoying her. :( I did ask her the day beore yesterday and she said she'd do it asap but was driving one of the other pups to a distant airport for her flight yesterday so I don't want to rush her and did want to ask my airline agent today as he won't be available Sat and Sun... patience is not one of my virtues! :)

PM me you email address and I can send a photo of one of my Wire Haired Vizsla's (and my daughter) in one of these crates.  I know it won't answer your precise question but might give you a better indication of size.

(I might just need a short time to rummage through my photo albums which got a bit disorganised when I moved to my Mac...)

Rx

Pics sent

Thank you! :)

Inka my breed at 20 inches at the shoulder (up or down and inch for sex) have to travel in the large varikennel which is 26 inches tall, 24 wide and 36 inches long.

There are strict rules as to clearances, so it is important to have the pups likely measurement's.  As your going to keep this crate you may as well make sure he will be able to use it as an adult.

Most people I know with Doberman use the 40 inch crates that are 30 inches tall and 28 inches wide, the nearest varikennel to that is the extra large, this suppliers site gives sizes and breeds likely to use them: http://www.doggiesolutions.co.uk/sky-pet-carrier-vari-kennel-airline-approved-dog-crates-8725-0.html

Thanks Barbara! I am torn between XL and Giant, and still waiting on measurements and not wanting to keep asking and annopying anyone!

argh, i have the measurements and the agent is now gone until tomorow!! we are looking at a size 600 crate, 500 being x large, and 700 being giant, i have not seen size 600 anywhere though :(

What size crates do you use at home.  I am sure if a 700 is for an adult grey a 4 months old should fit into the 500 which is comfortably used by dobes etc????  If you find a 40- 42 inch crate at 30 high fine for use at home and the pup will still legally have room then get that one as the 700 will take up a huge amount of room in your home.  On the other hand it would be big enough for more than one to pile in, as a den.

When I sent an 11 week old pup to USA she would have fitted into the 200 crate but this would have been useless to her new owners within a few weeks, but the 300 can still be used (albeit snugly at home, though not for flying and adult which requires a 400 due to headroom), so I got the 300 even though I didn't have to.

I have been using mine with the door off for the pups as a Den for when they play outside.

my racing greys are a world apart sizewise from show greys, even at this stage of 4 months. i've decided to get the giant as i can use it in future or sell it on as they are hard to get here :) booking everything today, woooooooooop!!

Exciting, when does he arrive?

The fun really starts here now as the last of Peni's littermates has gone today, so now she feels like properly ours.

Aw bittersweet day I am sure for you guys, but i bet you're delighted to have 'your' girl home :) My boy arrives in 3,5 weeks....which considering i've been waiting 7 months seems very soon :D