What we learned flying with a 25 kg dog

Sage is 25 kilos of enthusiasm, which means “just pop them under the seat” was never going to be our reality. Flying a large dog internationally is absolutely doable — it just takes planning most airlines won’t hand you up front.

First: the airline decides everything. Weight limits, crate rules, whether your dog flies in-cabin, as checked baggage, or as cargo — all of it varies. We start by choosing the airline, then build the trip around their pet policy, not the other way around.

Second: the crate matters more than you think. It has to be IATA-compliant, big enough for your dog to stand and turn around, and — crucially — your dog has to actually like being in it. We started crate training weeks ahead, with treats and zero pressure.

Third: the paperwork has a timeline, and the timeline is unforgiving. Microchip first, then rabies vaccination, then (for some destinations) a waiting period and a health certificate issued within a specific window before travel. Do these out of order and you can miss your flight.

The day itself? Calmer than we feared. A tired dog is a good traveler — a long walk beforehand, a familiar blanket, and no big fuss at drop-off. Sage has done this enough times now that she boards like a frequent flyer.

If you’re staring down a big move with a big dog: it’s worth it. Our complete guide walks through every step, in order, with the exact documents you’ll need.