Pet Travel Question: Shipping a Dog to New Zealand

Planning Dog Transport to New Zealand

Hi PetRelocation,

I am wanting to import a dog to New Zealand from the Netherlands. The pup will be born in a few weeks and it's an American Bulldog. I am wanting to know the procedures and what I need to do to get this underway.

Many Thanks,

Jasmine

 

Hi Jasmine,

Thank you for your question! There are several important considerations involved in this scenario, so you'll want to spend some time researching and considering your options.

First, we don't recommend flying with a pet younger than 16 weeks old. Puppies should be old enough and strong enough to handle the travel experience and receive all vaccinations, so we advise that you allow four months to pass before relocating your dog.

Second, flying with snub-nosed breeds (including Bulldogs) requires special care and attention. You need an extra large travel crate that will promote good airflow, and you also need to make sure the airline you choose is pet friendly and actually allows Bulldogs on board. These regulations can change according the season and from one carrier to another, so double check with airline representatives (or your pet travel specialist) ahead of time to find out if your move will be possible.

Finally, take a look at the pet import requirements for New Zealand. This is a rabies-free country that requires a quarantine, so you'll need to follow all the steps carefully and arrange a quarantine reservation if you decide to go forward.

Pet travel can be complicated, as you can see, but we're happy to assist you further. Feel free to fill out our online consultation form if you'd like to find out more about our door-to-door services.

Thanks again and we hope to hear from you!

Pet Travel Question Details:

Name: Jasmine
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: American Bulldog
From: Netherlands
To: Christchurch, NZ

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in June 2013 and has been updated with new information.