Sorry, but need to get some more Information - We coming closer to make the call about to relocate our Pepper to Singapore , but we might reconsider our decision and give her to our parents , if we don't get some clear Information about the effects what might can happen to a dog who been relocated. I hear from some they say no problem and some say there dog's are traumatized for long time. Just to explain it in simple terms, 1.st it will be an 14/16 hour flight 2nd than there will be a 4 week , quarantine by the Singaporean authorities (you allowed to visit your dog but is that an good idea ?) 3.rd than the most worrying part is the climate change, we just been in Germany at the North Sea (24/25 degree) and Pepper couldn't wait to get in to the water - or to get into the shadow -here in Singapore on a Hot day we have 34/35 - and obviously Humidity of 85/90 percent. So that's all pretty tough but than ie. racehorses getting flown around the world quite often and seem to acclimate very quick - but guess can't compare a little labby to a horse. --- And on this, any idea how often a Labrador can do a long haul flight? Many thanks Philipp&Anetta & Pepper
We have a few members on here that have have travelled on planes with their dogs @Emily_BabbelHund and @Dexter to name a couple. I'm sure they'll be able to give you some tips on international travel with your dog. They, along with @snowbunny have moved their dogs to different climates so I'm sure they'll be along soon to offer some advice
Hi there, I've not flown with my dogs and, to be honest, the thought of doing so, especially with such a long flight, petrifies me. My two adult dogs (just under 3 years of age), especially, just wouldn't cope well, and I'd fear for their physical and emotional wellbeing. It's not just the length of the flight, but at either end, there's a lot of time where they will be in the crate and away from you. Nope, couldn't do it. Not to say that you couldn't or shouldn't. If I ever did, there is no way in hell I'd not see my dog for the next four weeks. I'd be down there visiting every day. As for the climate, well, in the winter, my dogs are in the snow and potential of temperatures down to -50C with the wind chill. In the summer, they are in Spain, where it's been over 40C quite a bit so far this year. We don't have the humidity you will (generally well under 45% where we are), but we can't go out during the day with them, so have to walk early and late. This means no lovely long hikes with them, until the autumn. They definitely prefer the winter temperatures to the summer. What are Singaporean spring/autumn/winters like? It doesn't bother me for a couple of months of the year, and the plan is that we'll eventually be more mobile between Andorra and Spain, so we can start popping up to the cooler climate when it's too hot here to be comfortable. I would be very unhappy to have my dogs in an environment where it was constantly that hot with no seasonal let-up. Would I be able to leave them behind? Well, it would kill me, and I'd only do it if I knew precisely who they were staying with, how they would treat them day to day, what contingencies were in place should anything happen, and so much more. Even then, I probably just wouldn't go Anecdotally, the breeder I got W&S from kept one puppy back for his employer. We'll call him Jeff. Jeff has properties all round the world, but the UK was his main base. However, before he took possession of the puppy, that changed, and Australia was to become home. He said he couldn't take the puppy because he had already relocated one dog to Australia, many years ago, and she never recovered from the ordeal, so he wasn't prepared to do it again. On the other hand, that's just one person. I'm sure plenty of people do so quite successfully. Good luck with your choice.
Such a difficult decision to make. I feel for you. With Snowie, I just know he'd be happier living in snowy Canada. I'm in Cape Town, South Africa and the hot days take it out of him. No way we can walk in the heat of the day, very restricting. Thankfully we have a v cool house with no need for air con. If you take Pepper, you'll need to make sure she always has access to a cool spot day and night. Can you chat to people in Singapore who have Labs to find out how they cope?
@Emily is right, I did travel a lot with my dog (he flew with me over 40 times). However - and a big however - he was a service dog and flew in cabin at my feet, not in the hold. @Dexter is better to give you advice on flying your dog in the hold. I personally would be very reluctant to do it unless it was a life or death thing, but several people I know have done it and their dogs have been just fine. The time of year you fly and the airline are both very important, so I'd definitely research those two aspects. Again, @Dexter is the pro about all that, so she's the best to answer. No lie, the quarantine would freak me out. In your place, I'd be looking for forums or online message boards of people who have gone through it and see what they say. If it sounds like it is a decent set up in terms of care, then you have to consider how Pepper as an individual would fare. How does she do in new situations? Has she been kennelled before? What is your backup plan if you put her in quarantine and you see she isn't handling it well? On the last point (climate change), that wouldn't worry me at all. I went from -15 to 40 with Brogan...dogs adapt. It's more your own behaviour that you have to be careful of. If it's too hot, realise you have to go out early in the morning or late at night and otherwise, pup stays indoors with air-conditioning. You may need special boots to protect against hot pavement or realise you absolutely cannot take her out , even for a few minutes, if the pavement is too hot. The broader issue is not climate change, but EVERYTHING change. Are you going from a house to a small apartment? Will you have places to walk her in your new neighbourhood? Will she need to go from weeing/pooing on grass to concrete? Does the culture favour dogs or treat them badly? Are there other dogs she can socialise with? Do you have to take into account street/feral dogs? Does the government have the legal right to seize/destroy your dog if she does something against the law, even just being in the wrong place? What are the medical issues (diseases)? If you need to travel for work and can't take her with you, do you have access to good kennels/dog-sitters? Will you have a car or will you need to take her on public transport? Are you willing to feed raw/homecooked if you can't get access to quality kibble? I don't know if any of these questions are relevant to Singapore, but these were the sorts of things that popped up for me when living/traveling in 10+ countries with Brogan. The bottom line is how much stress you can deal with (because transporting her and quarantine will be nerve-wracking) and how much Pepper can deal with. Really think about how Pepper handles change. Some dogs start to exhibit stress behaviours (barking, chewing, aggression) that they never ever did before when faced with a new environment. Others, like my dog Brogan, took it all in stride and loved new places and people.
Oops..one more thing to consider and that's age. Not sure how old Pepper is now, but think about how long you will be in Singapore and when you may want to come back to Europe (or the UK?). Even if she's fine with the 16 hour flight now, she will not be as an older dog. For me, I got "stuck" in Europe as Brogan passed 11 years old and I didn't want him to fly 20 hours to the US anymore. Not that minded as I wanted to be here, but it's something you may want to put into your pros/cons list depending on Pepper's age and your work situation.
Hi there, from what I hear, Singapore is not a great place for dogs, mainly due to the heat and humidity. Honestly, I'd also be thinking very carefully about leaving her with your parents. Of course, it's really hard to separate from your dog, but ultimately it depends on what is best for her - only you an judge that. It's one reason I have steadfastly refused to move to the Middle East, I know it wouldn't suit my dogs at all, and I am not prepared to be separated from them either. You have my sympathy, and I'm sure you'll make the right decision for your family.
My friend just flew her dog to New York where she's living for 2 years. That's about a 20 hour flight. Her dog is absolutely fine. He's a Border Collie. Most dogs cope fine with quarantine, as long as they are not timid, nervous types. The main consideration for me would be the lifestyle for your dog once he got there. In Singapore most people live in flats (apartments). Pretty much everywhere is air conditioned but, yes, it is very humid. As Singapore is more or less right on the Equator it is hot and humid all the time, all year. Dogs have to be on lead - there are few off lead places. OP, you know all that, since you live there now...but just mentioning for other people. How much time would your dog be alone? Would you have time to walk your dog in the early morning and late evenings, when it's a bit cooler?
@Emily_BabbelHund many thanks , your lengthy and great explanation - Pepper in the moment is 13mths old, she normally handles changes quite well we took her to our holiday home since she was 4/5 months old and after a while walking around she settles down easily - she sometimes stays with my parents and thats no issue too for her , her main concern is that she gets food .. however she is very very very close to my wife, if we are togther and getting ready for a walk - and the wifey would have forgotten something in the house pepper wouldn't walk with me she would sit and wait for her, however if she can't see her like in the early mornings no problem she comes with me. The only nervousness we seen so far is driving , if its to long she get's unsettled runny nose etc. I will check with expat forums/facebook - to see what people have to say who went through it. On the other points you and the other member rightly-raise, Singapore is not as bad as it sounds it used to be Hot and Humid but climate change not stopping here either, 7 yrs ago it was very hot but now today we should have a hot day but temperature is only 29/30 and recently a lot of rain and in the evenings it's goes down to 25/26 so no problem to do walking than - and i think Singapore is quite dog friendly (from what i hear Dubai is really bad) see below link and here lot of beaches where dogs allowed and people go there early mornings to let them run of leash: http://thehoneycombers.com/singapor...-pools-vets-grooming-hotels-adoption-and-more in the neighbor hood where i live now there are plenty of dogs and they seem all be happy (most labradors) are coming from Australia , therefore same like uk they dont need quarantine, germane and all other countries in Europe need them as they worry here about rabies. if we decide to ship her - and go through the quarantine - we will move to a house with garden, plunge pool and close to the dog park- we will have our own car as dogs not allowed in public transport or taxis apart (service dogs) .. If we have to go on business trip we have some friends with dogs - or there is even a dog hotel , http://thewagington.com.sg if she dosn't like it there than nowhere (i even would sleep there). Same with food/ vets they have all top notch stuff here , however sadly all got a price .. but she is our baby so is worth it. thanks so much and i will investigate !!
It sounds like you have in fact thought it through pretty well and have got a plan in mind that'd work. I would go ahead with it. After all, thousands of dogs live quite successfully in the tropics..... You just have to plan your doggie activities around the heat. It's manageable. We do it all summer here where it regularly gets to over 35. Air conditioning and swimming help a lot.
Totally agree. You sound like you have already put a lot of thought and planning into the move and Pepper would be a lucky girl to move with you
Sounds like you have really thought about and you have researched the areas you might move to. If Pepper can cope with quarantine I would go for it.
My immediate concern was about Singapore's dog friendliness, but from what you say it's a lot better than I would have expected. As for the travel, a friend of mine flew her lab home to NZ from the UK a few years ago - it usually takes 30-odd hours (or longer depending on connections) to get here, 26 of which are flying. Then the dog had to spend 8 days in quarantine in the wops, no visitors. Cocoa was quite young, 3, and coped really well - no immediate or delayed issues! I'd definitely jump online and talk to expats about the realities of living with a large dog in Singapore first.
