First, we highly recommend getting a puppy within driving distance. We are aware there are gaps in breeder coverage areas, but perhaps we can help you find a closer breeder. Should you choose to fly a puppy, read on!
Shipping by Airplane
You have the following options:
If you intend to fly your puppy, let us know in advance and do not book your flight without confirmation from us.
The following is what to know about flying with your puppy.
- You fly to us, then fly back with your puppy - Recommended method
- You fly to meet us and your puppy, then you ship the puppy
- We fly to meet you(Puppy Nanny service), then you take your puppy home from the airport
If you intend to fly your puppy, let us know in advance and do not book your flight without confirmation from us.
The following is what to know about flying with your puppy.
Health Certificates
Airlines require health certificates to fly a puppy. The state of Florida requires health certificates to sell a puppy, so there is no additional fee for the first health certificate.
In-cabin Airline Fee
To fly back with your puppy in-cabin, the in-cabin fee charged by the airline is usually under $135. Some airlines charge this fee for the whole flight, others charge per flight leg(each stop).
You will need an airline approved carrier that fits under the seat in front of you.
Airlines typically limit the number of in-cabin pets per flight. Availability will need to arranged and confirmed with the airline.
For more information on rates, carrier dimensions, and policies, contact your specific airline.
You will need an airline approved carrier that fits under the seat in front of you.
Airlines typically limit the number of in-cabin pets per flight. Availability will need to arranged and confirmed with the airline.
For more information on rates, carrier dimensions, and policies, contact your specific airline.
Flying In - Our Flat Rates to Airports
We can meet you at area airports. Our airport delivery rates include 1-2 hours wait time before your preferred arrival time, just in case of travel delays on our end.
Sarasota-Bradenton (SRQ): Free if picked up before airport parking fees kick in. - Preferred airport
Tampa (TPA) or St. Pete-Clearwater (PIE): $150 (Puppy in car 1.5 hours)
Orlando (MCO): $280 (Puppy in car 3.5 hours) - Limited availability
Miami (MIA): $400 (Puppy in car 5 hours) - Limited availability
These are just some of the local major airports. Other airports are available; to get a rough estimate, use the round trip distance plus a 1-2 hour wait time multiplied by $35.
Sarasota-Bradenton (SRQ): Free if picked up before airport parking fees kick in. - Preferred airport
Tampa (TPA) or St. Pete-Clearwater (PIE): $150 (Puppy in car 1.5 hours)
Orlando (MCO): $280 (Puppy in car 3.5 hours) - Limited availability
Miami (MIA): $400 (Puppy in car 5 hours) - Limited availability
These are just some of the local major airports. Other airports are available; to get a rough estimate, use the round trip distance plus a 1-2 hour wait time multiplied by $35.
Airplane Pet Carriers
Puppy will come with a pet carrier or you may bring your own. If you use ours, the carrier is an additional fee.
Most in-cabin pet carriers are designed for toy or dwarf legged dogs. A cocker spaniel puppy has long legs and quickly sizes out of in-cabin pet carriers, so don't plan to use it as a crate at home. Plan on taking your puppy home by 12 weeks old if you want it to be in the cabin with you. Choose the biggest carrier allowable by the specific airline. Soft sided carriers have give so airlines may allow slightly oversized carriers, but being soft also makes them more fun for a puppy to chew.
While the rule is the puppy has to stay in the carrier, ask if your seat mate(s) mind(some people are scared of dogs even if tiny puppies) then ask a flight attendant for permission to let the puppy sit in your lap when the seatbelt indicator is turned off.
If your puppy gets too tall before you take it home, you will need to ship it in cargo. You must fly in if you are shipping your puppy in cargo.
Most in-cabin pet carriers are designed for toy or dwarf legged dogs. A cocker spaniel puppy has long legs and quickly sizes out of in-cabin pet carriers, so don't plan to use it as a crate at home. Plan on taking your puppy home by 12 weeks old if you want it to be in the cabin with you. Choose the biggest carrier allowable by the specific airline. Soft sided carriers have give so airlines may allow slightly oversized carriers, but being soft also makes them more fun for a puppy to chew.
While the rule is the puppy has to stay in the carrier, ask if your seat mate(s) mind(some people are scared of dogs even if tiny puppies) then ask a flight attendant for permission to let the puppy sit in your lap when the seatbelt indicator is turned off.
If your puppy gets too tall before you take it home, you will need to ship it in cargo. You must fly in if you are shipping your puppy in cargo.
Shipping in Cargo (Attention Puerto Rico and Hawaii!)
If you fly in to buy a puppy and then ship it as cargo, that is your choice, however we can't ship it as cargo for you unless you(or a stand in for you) meet the puppy first. If you don't meet the puppy, the puppy can only travel with a puppy nanny(the breeder).
Hawaii only: As a rabies-free state, additional import regulations apply. Please be sure you understand these regulations thoroughly. They may vary island to island.
The fee airlines charges to ship in cargo varies, usually around $300-350. Hawaii is around $450.
Puppy needs an airline approved shipping crate of approved dimensions, animal shipping stickers, document holder(health certificate and emergency and home contact information), and crate bowls(with water frozen in both bowls).
The airline has you book a few days in advance. The airline will have you check in with the puppy a minimum number of hours before departure. We recommend you stay with the puppy as long as possible before you leave to go through airport security to board the plane.
The airlines rule is that if the temperature at certain points in the flight(departure, all layovers, and arrival) is over or under a certain temperature(varies by airline but maximum is usually 80 or 81 degrees F), the pet cannot fly.
While the cargo area is climate controlled, loading, layovers, and unloading are not. It's hot out.
Sarasota, Florida is hot until the tail end of October.
By booking flights first thing in the morning, the heat restrictions will not come into effect if the arrival time is also out of the heat. This assumes flights do not get delayed, so we suggest non-stop flights.
Given the option between the puppy going for a 3.5-5 hour car ride to get to Orlando or Miami for a non-stop flight, choose the closer airport with a short (45m-1hr at most) layover instead.
Hawaii only: As a rabies-free state, additional import regulations apply. Please be sure you understand these regulations thoroughly. They may vary island to island.
The fee airlines charges to ship in cargo varies, usually around $300-350. Hawaii is around $450.
Puppy needs an airline approved shipping crate of approved dimensions, animal shipping stickers, document holder(health certificate and emergency and home contact information), and crate bowls(with water frozen in both bowls).
The airline has you book a few days in advance. The airline will have you check in with the puppy a minimum number of hours before departure. We recommend you stay with the puppy as long as possible before you leave to go through airport security to board the plane.
The airlines rule is that if the temperature at certain points in the flight(departure, all layovers, and arrival) is over or under a certain temperature(varies by airline but maximum is usually 80 or 81 degrees F), the pet cannot fly.
While the cargo area is climate controlled, loading, layovers, and unloading are not. It's hot out.
Sarasota, Florida is hot until the tail end of October.
By booking flights first thing in the morning, the heat restrictions will not come into effect if the arrival time is also out of the heat. This assumes flights do not get delayed, so we suggest non-stop flights.
Given the option between the puppy going for a 3.5-5 hour car ride to get to Orlando or Miami for a non-stop flight, choose the closer airport with a short (45m-1hr at most) layover instead.
Puppy Nanny
A puppy nanny is the person escorting your puppy.
If you fly your puppy, you are acting as the puppy nanny. If we fly your puppy, it is $35/hour (round trip travel time), the round trip airfare, plus the airport delivery flat rate. We must know at the time of your reservation if you need your puppy flown to you and you must submit a holding fee. The delivery fee and plane tickets will need to be paid for in advance. Pay for the puppy on arrival. Our availability is limited.
You may also use an independent puppy nanny agent(by vehicle or plane), but you will need to meet us and the puppy in person before this agent can take the puppy. No exceptions. This agent needs to be a licensed pet transporter and insured.
If you fly your puppy, you are acting as the puppy nanny. If we fly your puppy, it is $35/hour (round trip travel time), the round trip airfare, plus the airport delivery flat rate. We must know at the time of your reservation if you need your puppy flown to you and you must submit a holding fee. The delivery fee and plane tickets will need to be paid for in advance. Pay for the puppy on arrival. Our availability is limited.
You may also use an independent puppy nanny agent(by vehicle or plane), but you will need to meet us and the puppy in person before this agent can take the puppy. No exceptions. This agent needs to be a licensed pet transporter and insured.
Airports, Airplanes, and Health
Taking a puppy on an airplane is taking your puppy to a public area, which puts the puppy at risk.
We recommend using potty pads, not allowing your puppy to walk around on the ground, and not allowing anyone else to touch the puppy.
We recommend using potty pads, not allowing your puppy to walk around on the ground, and not allowing anyone else to touch the puppy.