My Bichon puppy was shipped to me (from California to Washington).
He was almost three months old and was sent on an airline that the breeder approved of. (She said there is a difference in the way different airlines handle pets.) We also waited an extra week to get a straight-through flight with no stops. If necessary, I would have been willing to drive to another airport a hundred miles or more away to get a straight-through flight.
She said her puppies (Bichons) were usually tail wagging, happy little pups when they were picked up at an airport.
My puppy came in a new large crate with a blanket, toy, water, and food. He had a vet's certificate saying that he was healthy and could handle a colder temperature for "X" number of hours.
But unlike most Bichons - mine is somewhat shy and fearful. When I picked him up at the airport, he was very frightened and shaking. So - he didn't like his plane ride at all, and it was also the first time he had ever been away from his mother and litter mates.
We got the little guy home and he was, indeed, a friendly, playful, happy little pup. He was none the worse for the plane ride, but he definitely did not enjoy it and was very happy to get back into the arms of a loving person.
I think breeders should do their best to sell their puppies locally or to people who can pick them up. However, this is sometimes difficult to do, and with the Internet -- people further away, are often willing and begging to get a puppy and give it a wonderful, loving home.
I am not against shipping, but it should be a last resort, and should be done with care.
Carol Jean |