Can Brachycephalic Dogs Fly on Planes? Find Out!

There's a lot of uncertainty around whether brachycephalic dogs can fly on planes. Although very popular and cute, dogs with these characteristics have health issues that could be fatal during air travel. For this reason, many airlines have restrictions on transporting them.

Now, is it possible to travel with them? Do you know if your dog is brachycephalic? What options do you have to bring it on your next vacation? Let's look at all these questions in detail.

Characteristics of a Brachycephalic Dog

Brachycephalic dogs are those whose head has an almost round shape. As a result, they develop an issue called brachycephalic syndrome. This syndrome causes the following:

• Difficulty breathing.
• Airway obstruction.
• Wheezing or noisy breathing sounds.

Also, dogs of this type have a narrow trachea, small nostrils, and a short, flattened muzzle.

Which Breeds Are Brachycephalic?

These are some of the most common brachycephalic breeds:

• French Bulldog
• Shar Pei
• Pug
• Lhasa Apso
• Staffordshire
• Bull Terrier
• Pekingese
• English Bulldog
• Shih Tzu
• Cane Corso
• Chow Chow
• Boxer
• Beagle
• Boston Terrier

What Happens to Brachycephalic Dogs on Planes?

If you have a brachycephalic dog, you're surely wondering: why is flying a problem for them? Due to their physical characteristics and the breathing issues they suffer, brachycephalic breeds react poorly to stress and nervousness.

During a flight, there are many situations that would cause fear or stress in your dog: it's a new place, full of unfamiliar people and smells. Also, on many airlines, pets need to travel in the cargo hold, which increases your dog's stress.

In this kind of situation, dogs get agitated, drool, and breathe poorly due to nerves and fear. In brachycephalic breeds, there's a risk this nervousness could cause respiratory collapse and then death.

Even traveling in the cabin, altitude pressure could work against it if it's in a poorly ventilated carrier or kennel. As a result, it would also struggle to breathe. These dogs also react poorly to anesthesia and sedatives.

During the flight, temperatures change, both in the cabin and the cargo hold. Due to their airway structure, these dogs are prone to heatstroke under these conditions.

• Symptoms of Heatstroke in a Dog

Also, the shape of a brachycephalic dog's head makes it hard to find a suitable muzzle, and many airlines don't allow an animal to travel without one.

Can Brachycephalic Dogs Fly on Planes?

Each airline has its own policy on pet transport. Some don't allow animals to travel at all, others offer the option to travel in the cabin or cargo hold (depending on the dog's weight), while some are more pet-friendly but prohibit transporting brachycephalic dogs. So, you should research the airline you're interested in.

When traveling, besides finding which airlines allow dogs with these characteristics to travel, keep in mind the risk this involves. Some breeds are more prone to dying than others, like the Bulldog, but for all of them, it means a possibility of death.

If you have a dog like this, it's best to look for another mode of transport or hire a dog boarding service in case there's no safe way to make the trip.

• Pet Policy at IBERIA
• Flying With Pets at VUELING
• Flights With Pets at AIR EUROPA

Recommendations Before Traveling

Brachycephalic dogs can fly on some airlines, though more and more companies are prohibiting it. Before booking a trip with your dog, keep the following in mind:

• Check the airline's pet travel policies. Make sure not only that they allow pets to fly, but also which dog breeds are prohibited (if any) and the pet's maximum weight.
• Find out how the pet will be transported on the airline. Does it travel in the cabin or cargo hold? Does it need to be in a carrier? Is sedation required?
• Assess the flight duration. For a brachycephalic dog, more than 5 hours of flight is considered very risky.
• Research the cargo hold conditions, in case the dog travels there. You need to make sure pressure and ventilation are suitable to maintain conditions favorable for life.
• Take it for a vet checkup to confirm your dog's health status.

If the vet advises against the trip and the airline doesn't accept the dog or doesn't meet the necessary transport conditions, don't despair. There are many companies dedicated to pet boarding services, where your dog will be safe and happy while you travel.