It is important to realize that some breeds and conditions for live animal shipping can face travel restrictions. Also, some countries may not allow for dangerous dog breeds to be imported. Another consideration is the weather and heat. Many airlines impose strict temperature guidelines for transporting live animal cargo. Most commercial airlines will not ship live animals in temperatures forecast for higher than 85 degrees, proving problematic for certain island locations.

Restrictions for Puppies:
Puppies traveling on United within the U.S. and Puerto Rico must be at least eight weeks of age prior to traveling with a commercial airline. Puppies weighing less than one pound must be at least ten weeks of age. Puppies imported to the U.S. must be at least 16 weeks of age and must be fully immunized against rabies before being imported into the U.S. The rabies vaccination must be administered no earlier than 12 weeks of age of the dog and at least 30 days before arrival to a U.S. port of entry.

Age Restriction into the EU and Caribbean Territories that fall under EU control:

Sending pets under 15 weeks of age to the European Union For pets under 12 weeks old and not vaccinated for rabies, and pets less than 15 weeks old that were either 1) not vaccinated for rabies or 2) vaccinated for rabies less than 21 days prior to entry into the EU are:

• Austria
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Switzerland

Short-nosed (brachycephalic) dog breeds:

Extra care is required when the following breeds travel because they often have hereditary respiratory problems. These animals are susceptible to increased risk of heat stroke and breathing problems when exposed to stress or extreme heat:

American Bulldog* Boston Terrier* Boxer Brussels Griffon Bull Terrier Dutch Pug* English Toy Spaniel

Japanese Chin Japanese Pug* King Charles Spaniel Lhasa Apso Pekingese Shar-Pei Shih Tzu

*On the recommendation of veterinarians, most airlines require customers to follow these guidelines to reduce stress and heat exposure when shipping or handling the breeds starred above:

• Use a kennel that is one size larger than normally required.
• Use a kennel with ventilation on four sides. (If the kennel does not have ventilation on four sides, modify the kennel by drilling seven holes in the rear top and seven holes in the rear bottom of the kennel using a 3/4-inch keyhole bit.)
• Acclimate the pet to the kennel by letting the animal spend time in the kennel for several days before its departure.
• Include water but not food in the kennel during the flight

Restrictions on Adult Bulldogs:
Many airlines not accept English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Olde English Bulldogges or mixes of these breeds that are older than six months or weigh more than 20 pounds at any time of year. Dogs of these breeds and their mixes that are younger than six months or weigh less than 20 pounds are accepted year-round.

Some airlines will accept American Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Pugs and mixes of these breeds according to the following conditions:

• Puppies of these breeds that are between eight weeks and six months of age or weigh less than 20 pounds (9 kg) will be accepted at any time of the year for travel within the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
• Adults of these breeds that are older than six months of age or weigh more than 20 pounds (9 kg) are subject to the following restrictions:
  • May 15 – September 15: None will be accepted.
  • September 16 – May 14: These animals will be accepted as long as the forecasted temperatures along the itinerary are expected to be no higher than 85°F (29°C) at the time when the animal’s flights are scheduled to arrive and depart. Animals with connecting flights may also be kenneled during the day to avoid the heat.

Dangerous Dog Breeds Requiring Reinforced Crates:
The following dog breeds and their mixes that have reached six months of age or weigh 20 pounds (9 kg) will be accepted only in a reinforced crate meeting International Air Transport Association (IATA) Container Requirement #82.

American Bully American Staffordshire Terriers Ca de Bou (or Perro de Presa Mallorquin) Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff) Dogo Argentino

Fila Brasileiro Perro de Presa Canario Pit Bull Terriers Tosa (or Tosa Ken)

Breed, age or weight of the animal should be confirmed by the animal’s health certificate (dated within 10 days of transport). If the breed listed on the health certificate is inaccurate, the airline reserves the right to refuse the animal. Additionally, each airline reserves the right to refuse any animal that displays aggression or viciousness at the time of tender.

Individual Island Breed Restrictions

Cayman Islands: 

• In accordance with the Animals Law (2015 Revision), no animal of any description may be imported into the Cayman Islands from any country in Asia, Africa or Central and South America. Other territories from which dogs and cats are prohibited are Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
• Certain breeds of dogs or crosses of such breeds are not allowed to be imported into the Cayman Islands. Genetic material such as semen and embryos from these breeds is also not eligible for entry into the Cayman Islands. All applications for the importation of dogs into the Cayman Islands must be accompanied by a written declaration from the owner/agent of owner attesting that the dog to be imported does not belong to or is not crossed with one or more of the following breeds or type of dogs. (This declaration is included in the import permit application information in Step 1) In addition, the applicant must provide a color photograph(s) of the dog at the time of application that shows the true likeness of the dog.

These breeds include:

• Pit Bull Terrier and its breed types;
• Dogo Argentino and its breed types;
• Fila Brazileiro and its breed types;
• Japanese Tosa and its breed types; and
• Any breed of dog or crossbreed of dog whose breeding lineage was for the primary purpose of dog fighting.

If heading to the United Kingdom from the Islands there is a ban on these breeds:

Guadeloupe: No dangerous breeds / Pitbull restriction