Navigating International Travel with Restricted Dog Breeds: Expert Advice

Hi PetRelocation,

I've been researching individual airline guidelines for transporting dogs and have found that the restricted breeds are often subtitled "brachycephalic or snub-nosed breeds," which I thought referred to dogs such as Pugs and English Bulldogs.

However, the restricted breeds also list purebred or any mixed breeds of Pit Bull Terriers and American Staffordshire Terriers. Is this because they are considered brachycephalic/snub-nosed, or is it an additional/unrelated issue? I am considering a move to Europe and will not move without my dog, but I also do not want to take any extra risks if it is a greater health hazard for his breed to fly.

Additionally, I was unclear whether dogs transported in the cargo compartment can be flown in the crates that are metal only, or are you supposed to use the carriers that are plastic enclosures with metal doors?

My dog is well-behaved in his normal metal crate, where he can easily see out, but is often anxious and frightened inside of a plastic crate with a limited number of slits.

Thanks for your help!

Hello,

Thanks for the question; we'd be happy to offer some guidance. Breeds such as Pit Bulls and Staffordshire Terriers are often listed as "restricted" because of historic breed bans rather than health issues. Though you'll find plenty of evidence to support the fact that these breeds are no more dangerous than any other (as we're sure you already know), their size, appearance, and possible strength still dictate the policies of many countries and airlines.

We often refer to breed-specific legislation resources online when helping our clients plan international moves, as some countries do not allow certain breeds to be imported. For example, we helped a dog named Stan move to the Netherlands when his owner found out that he couldn't go to Denmark, where Pit Bulls are banned. Advance planning and creative solutions might also be necessary for your move, so it's great that you're starting the process now.

As far as travel crates, this is up to the airline. United (an airline we often choose to fly with) requires that Pit Bulls and a few other breeds travel in reinforced crates meeting IATA Container Requirement #82. KLM, Lufthansa, and British Airways are also airlines that we typically select, so we recommend researching these carriers' current rules and procedures when planning your dog's move.

We also recommend contacting the Ministry of Agriculture in Bulgaria and any local authorities and vets who may be able to shed light on how Pit Bulls are regulated (if at all) there. Every country is different, and it's best to learn as much as possible about laws and cultural attitudes before you go.

Finally, we recommend that all dogs have a period of crate acclimation before traveling. Especially because you mentioned your dog can feel nervous in certain crates, we suggest looking at these dog crate training tips soon.

Hopefully, this helps! Just let us know if you'd like some help arranging this move (you can fill out our online consultation form at your convenience), and good luck with everything.

Pet Travel Details:

Name: Biggie
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Pit Bull mix (though hasn't had DNA testing)
From: Chicago, USA
To: Bulgaria

(Photo credit: Chris/Flickr)