Which Dog Breeds Cannot Travel By Air?
Although many airlines offer pet transportation, it is important to note that not all dogs can use typical human travel methods. Large sizes and coat types are some criteria that can be taken into account to classify dog breeds that cannot travel by air.
There are some species of living beings that suffer a lot of physical and psychological stress when transported in this way. Therefore, to some extent, they can be in a very complex and life-threatening situation. If you want to know which dogs are likely to have problems in air travel, read on.
Why are there dogs that cannot travel by plane?
Vacations and family reunions are not complete without pets. For this reason, it is very common to see at airports a wide variety of dogs that accompany their guardians. However, there are many difficulties that dogs of certain breeds are exposed to when traveling such long distances, especially hundreds of meters high.
The difficulty and risk of some breeds of dogs that cannot travel by air is that they are brachycephalic, which is why their muzzle shape makes them more likely to have respiratory problems. This condition is what drives most airlines to have specific regulations for the transport of certain animals.
What is brachycephaly in dogs?
It is a condition that affects breeds that have shorter or flatter skulls, faces and noses than normal. In general, the diameter of nasal orifices in dogs with this characteristic is small. Thus, certain malformations occur, which increase the possibility of brachycephalic syndrome.
This condition results in more complex breathing, as the dog has to put more energy into this process, which gives rise to other pathologies, such as bronchitis, laryngitis, tearing, conjunctivitis and obstructions in the throat. That’s why breeds with brachycephaly have constant wheezing, choking, and phlegm elimination.
Dogs that shouldn’t travel by plane
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), dog breeds that cannot travel by air have respiratory disorders that worsen with altitude, exposure to high levels of stress and elevated environmental temperatures.
Therefore, before traveling by air, you should consider your pet’s characteristics and comply with the airline’s requirements so as not to harm the dog’s health. Among the most common brachycephalic dog breeds are the following:
- Bulldog (all variants).
- Shih Tzu.
- Pug (all variants).
- Bull terrier.
- Pekingese.
- Chihuahua (Apple head).
- Shar Pei.
- Japanese Spaniel.
- Mastiff (all variants).
- Rottweiler.
- Affenpinscher.
- Boxer (all variants).
Tips for traveling by plane with your dog
As mentioned above, each airline has stipulated rules for the transport of animals. Therefore, it is important that you consider that these rules are not personal and that they were established for the safety of the animal and passengers.
The most common recommendation — regardless of the company — is not to expose your dog to trips that last longer than 6 hours. Also, if your pet weighs more than 8 pounds, traveling is not recommended as this will make it difficult to breathe. Finally, it is always recommended to use a carrier box that is appropriate for the size of the dog.
As you have seen, there are many breeds of dogs that cannot travel by air, and it is their respiratory problems that create this limitation. However, if you correctly follow the recommendations of your preferred airline, your pet may not be at risk, as long as the appropriate means of transport is chosen.
