Flying with a puppy--What is best pet carrier
 

I will be returning from Tampa to Denver with an 8 week old goldendoodle puppy in the cabin with me on a non stop on United Airlines. The area under the airlines seat in only 9 inches. The United agent told me not to buy a carrier more than 17 x 10 x 10.

The Sherpa brand has been designed as an "Airline Approved" carrier, but I have been told the medium size, of 10.5 Height doesn't fit due to the metal construction at each end.

My puppy will be 7-10 pounds on this flight but at the moment she is 1 week old and we do not know her standing height.

This will be a one time use item and I don't want to invest more than necessary. Has anyone had experience with traveling with a puppy? The flight will be almost 4 hours so I would like her to comfortable, ahere to the airlines rules and not spend a lot of money. Please help.

Check some of your local consignment stores. I was surprised to find a number of dog carriers in a wide range of sizes.

PS I sure would love to see a puppy picture of the goldendoodle.

When we brought our Mini Schauzer puppy home to Maine from Kentucky we used this: http://tinyurl.com/2mp4qr

It worked great, fits underneath the seat in front of you, and is inexpensive to boot!

We've flown several times with our dachshund and used a Sherpa carrier. This was several years ago. but we did not have any problems with metal ends in the travel carrier. Fit under the seat no problems. Our pooch was also 16 lbs, so larger than your puppy; however, as a dachsund, when he curled up, he curled up pretty small.

You may know this already, but make sure you book a reservation for your puppy on the flight. Many airlines only allow 2 cabin animals per flight. Also make sure you have health records, and what the airline might specifically need for documentation of your puppy's health.

Make sure you follow the airline's strictest guidelines - you don't want to be turned away at the airport because it won't fit under the seat of whatever plane you end up on.

Frankly, with a puppy that young I would do road versus air - but not sure of your distance.

The OP's puppy is now eight years old.

Rats - I usually look at the dates.