Advice needed about taking a dog over

[se123]

Hi guys,

Hoping someone can give me some advice on taking a dog over.
Me and my partner have been wanting a dog for a while, everything is right now and even found a cute little pup we fallen in love with. Only problem is we know we won't be staying in England much longer. We most likely will be leaving mid-end next year, so if we get her she will be just over 1 years old at that point. We recognize the added cost of taking a dog over but worry if we are doing the right thing as we will be renting when we get there and also the obvious scare of the flight.
The dog is a cross lhaso/maltese (lhatese) so as far as I know, both breeds are okay regarding breathing etc.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? Is 1 years old an okay age for flying?
Just wanting other peoples opinions as although I can speak to friends/family, I thought maybe people on here might know first hand and could give better unbiased opinions.

Thanks

[dxboz]

Don't do it! It will cost you a heap of money to fly the dog over, rabies tests, quarantine etc. As you have said yourself rental properties are a lot harder to get with a dog also. Why on earth would you put yourself and the dog through unnecessary stress. Wait until you get to Oz and are settled before you even think of buying one. I would never buy a dog if I knew I was definitely going to have to put them on a long flight.

[snifter]

I'd perhaps reconsider. The cost of shipping a dog that size would be in the region of £2-3000 (and quarantine on top). Also if Aus doesn't work out you then have costs to ship back (and ensure you get a UK pet passport before you depart UK also then).

I'd say be realistic, don't let cute and fluffy for 5 minutes win over at this point. Don't get a dog now but wait till you are in Aus and know you are staying put, at least for a few years and then consider getting a dog (perhaps even a rescue one so giving it a second chance). Gives you chance to save more pennies for the move also rather than having to find £3000 or so to ship a dog over.

[kentkids]

Money, money money. Why does everyone go on about cost. Yes it will set you back about 4 k, but if you want a dog, go for it.
we ame over in March and brought our 14 month old dog. We knew when we got her that we would be coming in less than 12 months.
If you do your homework, it is a very simple process bringing a dog over, and from talking to a number of others, the dogs don't seem to get unduly worried.
S

[se123]

Very mixed advice here! Its great to hear from somebody who was in a similar situation to us 14 months before moving. I think the biggest issue for me is whether she will cope on the flight and not the money side, plus how our situation will be once we arrive. I'm too much of a thinker and a crap decision maker to cope with this lol :-/

[Joob joobs]

I'd definitely recommend waiting until you get here before getting a dog. We brought ours because we'd had him for nearly 2 years and he was part of the family. We had no idea we'd be moving to the other side of the world when we got him. If I had known we were going to make the move then I would definitely have waited. There are plenty of animals over here waiting for someone to give them their forever home: http://www.adoptapet.com.au/

[snifter]

Money, money money. Why does everyone go on about cost. Yes it will set you back about 4 k, but if you want a dog, go for it.

Because £4000 is a shed load of money to some people when migrating.

It would be irresponsible of me to go out and get a new dog now knowing we are moving next year. As much as I'd love another dog right now, I have to be practical and consider *all* the pros and cons and not let my heart win out just because I want one now. Far better to wait till in Aus and settled and know we don't have the worries, upheaval or massive costs. It's not just the financial side of things either for me.

What works for one doesn't for another so while you might have said to hell with the costs and everything else, others maybe won't.

[Helchops]

Arrrgh. Money is the wonderful political tool devised centuries ago to keep us under control! Don't worry about it!

Buy the dog if you can afford to ship it and have fallen in love with it. It might be the best dog you'll ever own and not buying it could starve yourself of future happiness!!

On the other hand, it is a lot of money...

[Rebecca1978]

It's not the money side of things for me, yes 4k is a lot of money, but where my furbaby is concerned he's worth every penny, BUT..... If I did not have to put him through all this I wouldn't, the flight the quarantine, he's 10 now and there's not a chance in hell I'd leave him behind but again I really wish he did not have to go through all the quarantine and stuff.
personally if I were you I would wait, it gives you something to look forward to, and perhaps you could learn more about the breed of dog to see if it's right for you and your family.

[dxboz]

It's defiinitely not just about the money - it is very stressful on yourself and the dog. What if you don't settle in Australia then you would have to put yourself and the dog through it all again. It is much harder to find a rental property with a dog also. Best to wait until you get to Australia and are settled.