International travel with your pet starts with the question:

What country are you going to?

First, and perhaps most importantly, learn about your destination BEFORE you make any purchases! This will save both time and money. So when planning any traveling with your dog internationally it’s vital to keep in mind that your destination country is likely to have very specific pet travel requirements, special documentation, and even medical certifications. 

This guide will cover our personal experiences with pet travel to Germany via the United States. Our travels began in August 2021 from Boston, Massachusetts (USA), to Frankfurt, Germany, with our 4 year old rescue dog Sage using Lufthansa airlines. Sage is a 52 lb (24kg) Labrador mix, so we began researching months in advance for the necessary arrangements and required documentation to bring Sage into Germany without hassle.

These were the main steps we took in preparation for our trip to Germany:

  1. We planned the best route (our path of  “least resistance” for Sage)
  2. Selected the proper crate for a dog her size
  3. Booked our tickets and registered her with Lufthansa
  4. Completed the required International Health Certificate 

Traveling with your dog internationally:  Flying with Lufthansa.

We used to live in a small town of Newmarket, NH, and the closest airport was in Boston, MA. I looked into airlines that had direct flights to Germany, because it was Sage’s first flight and  an international one, which meant a long flying time. I was looking for the shortest route possible. Lufthansa had a direct flight from Boston to Frankfurt. So we decided to fly with them to Frankfurt and finish the rest of the journey by car. 

NOTE: Germany has an amazing train system that is pet friendly. Trains are how we are traveling around Germany with Sage today.

We went with Lufthansa because they have direct flights and  a reputation as a pet-friendly airline. They lived up to this reputation and we had great experience on our first flight with them. 

Lufthansa currently offers three (3) options for pet travel:

  • Airplane cabin
    • Cats and dogs under 17 lb or 8 kg in an appropriate container are allowed in the cabin with passengers as carry-on luggage.
  •  Air-conditioned cargo hold. 
    • Pets over 17 lb or 8 kg.
      • There is a restriction on transporting brachycephalic or  “snub-nosed” breeds in cargo holds. Lufthansa has a list of 22 breeds considered “at-risk” for air travel.

NOTE: There is a restriction of two (2) pets per person.

Because Sage is much bigger than 17 lb she had to travel in the cargo hold. As there’s a limit of 3 containers in the cargo hold, ensure you register your pet for travel with Lufthansa no less than 72 hours before your flight. 

I registered Sage by calling the Service Center and talked to the representative as it was the only option for our flight with Lufthansa back in  July 2021. You need the following information to complete your registration:

1.Your flight details

2.Your pet’s breed

  • The main reason is health concerns for your pet during air travel.
  • There is a list of breeds and cross-breeds that are classified as fighting or dangerous. Lufthansa have specific rules for handling them. If your pet ‘s breed is on that list you will need special arrangements and containers while being transported. 

There is a list of breeds that are not allowed in Germany. Breeds with “bad” reputation are  banned from entering Germany. However, transit and export is allowed, so you can have a layover in Germany.

  • Pit Bull Terrier
  • American Staffordshire Terrier
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier
  • Bull Terrier

3.Your pet’s age.

  • The minimum age of the animal to/from Germany is 15 weeks; in all other countries, it is12 weeks

4.Dimension of transportation container. 

  • Minimum size is 23.6 x 17.7 x15.7 inches (60 x 45 x 40 cm )with weight of 8.8 lb (4 kg) and the maximum is 49 x 29.5 x 33.4 inches (125 x 75 x 85 cm) with a weight of 48 lb (22 kg)

Finding an appropriate crate.

  •  Strong plastic and metal screws are often the requirements for a crate that will be transported in the cargo hold, but the screws are usually purchased separately. I couldn’t find crates that came with metal screws; all of those  I looked at online came with plastic ones. 
  • The crate should be a few inches taller than your dog so they can comfortably stand in it, and your dog should be comfortable turning around in the crate. There should be ventilation on all sides of the crate. You can add your dog’s bed and blankets for the trip.

Tips: Do not wash your pets’ blankets or beds that will go in the crate! Even put in a T-shirt you have been wearing for a few days. That will help give them familiar smells. It is nice to have something he/she can recognizes and gives them comfort.

NOTE:The crate should have attached water and food bowls , so water and food can be given during transportation. You can also provide written information on the last time water and food were given.

We found our crate on Amazon and it was perfect for Sage as she is a tall girl. It is compliant with Lufthansa’s large crate size and weight dimensions. However, it did not have metal screws, so I found this travel kit with metal screws , a fitted water funnel and a food bowl, along with some extras. 

Planning your pet travel paperwork in advance 

After you have booked your flight and registered your pet, you will need to ensure you have all the travel documentation for your pet in order. I learned that for Germany and most European countries, you will need:

  1. International Health Certificate completed by a USDA ( United States Department of Agriculture) accredited veterinarian
  1. This certificate must also be endorsed by APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services). They have to review it, confirm that the information is correct, and put a stamp on

I was working as an emergency veterinary technician at the Port City Veterinary Referral Hospital in Portsmouth, NH, at the time, so finding an accredited veterinarian was an easy task for me. I just asked around, and Dr. Roberts, an oncology specialist and USDA accredited veterinarian, was very happy to help me prepare the International Health Certificate for Sage.

Dr. Roberts was not Sage’s regular doctor, but that was not a problem. My veterinarian was able to send Sage’s records to Dr. Robers via email. After reviewing Sage’s medical records, Dr. Roberts advised me  she would need a rabies booster shot before traveling. 

Contact your veterinarian and ask them for help. If your veterinarian is USDA accredited, they will be able to complete an International Health Certificate for your dog. After talking with your veterinarian’s office, you will have a better idea of your preparation timeline. Remember you will still need to get the certificate endorsed by APHIS. 

Some of the important dates that every traveler should keep in mind that could affect your travel timeline:

  1. Allow for at least 21 days for Rabies vaccination before your travel date. 
  2. Microchip should be put in when the rabies vaccine is administered if your dog doesn’t already have one.
  3. No more than 10 days before your travel date for a physical exam with your veterinarian to complete your International Health Certificate.
  4. After your certificate is complete, it should be endorsed by APHIS 

Read my other post for more details on preparing an International Health Certificate for your pet.

After your International Health Certificate is completed and endorsed, you are ready for traveling with your dog internationally! Arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight, so you will have enough time to register and accommodate your dog for the flight. With your own luggage,  the crate and your pet, there are a lot of moving parts.

Have a pleasant and safe trip!

Lufthansa is not the only choice you have while traveling with your dog internationally. Here are the websites where you can find information on pet travel requirements for following airlines:

Austrian Airlines

United

Delta