I am posting this on behalf of a friend in the police. (For the record, I am personally totally against their intention of acquiring 8 week old pups because I am given to understand that you cannot accurately assess temperament for police dog work until the dog is several months old). Nonetheless, his question is posted below and I will print out your responses for him.

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Joseph, can you post my question below on the discussion forum you talked about so highly on Friday morning and ask people there about their views on whether the plane journey will have an adverse effect on the temperament of the pups:

We just got approval to start a K9 program - finally! And more importantly we got the needed funds. A breeder from Germany - who is a good friend of ours will be picking out a pup for our K9 program and we will be getting an 8-week old pup from his kennel, which is a brand name working kennel with many successes at the Bundessiegerprüfung trials. The pup will be raised by one of our officers as part of his family.

One option to bring the pup in from Germany will be to fly there and fly back with the pup in the cabin. But this option has a major cost component we would like to avoid.

So it is nearly decided that the breeder will ship the pup to us. Which means the pup will get to us as cargo and will be flying in the cargo section of the plane from Germany.

Are there any downsides to an 8-week old pup flying in the cargo section of the plane? Is this likely to negative affect the temperament of the pup and will the scary experience scar the pup for life?

Also - which airline would you recommend we use?

The officer is excited about finally being able to start a canine program. That's good. Why put off the start for possibly two years waiting for a puppy that may or may not be worth a flip. It's my experience, with law enforcement administration, they want to see results. I'd suggest he forget about the puppy, purchase an adult dog that has been tested, or better yet, purchase a trained dog along with good training and show immediate (relatively speaking) results. That could well help pave the way to expanding the program. Management tends to lose focus quickly. Why take the chance on that or the puppy, after growing up, not being suitable.

DFrost

There is no negative effect of shipping a pup. I believe Delta is often used from Germany to USA for pups, don't remember exactly...

I'm with David, why take a chance on a pup that might not work out? Even if the pups temprement is good, you never know what medical problems may arise later. Bad hips, spinal problem etc. Raising a puppy is something I choose as a civilian, I like controlling the foundation of all my own personal dogs... but if a pup turns out to not be so great, it is not an issue to me, I will make him a pet and get another pup. But as a police dog, I have to be with David here.

Good luck to your friend whatever he decides!

I just received two Czech GSD pups that were flown in and there are no issues with them.
I AM a HUMAN chew toy.....

I used Lufthansa to bring a rottweiler over several years ago. I was amazed at their personal service. as soon as the pup arrived at LAX I was notified, they took the pup out of the crate, hand carried her through customs, watered her,let her run around the shipping office, and hand carried her to a delta flight to the Northwest,all in all they called me three times to keep me posted.Make sure that a custom office is open either at port of entry or your local airport when the dog arrives or it will be held.