Best Options For Large Dogs
Large dogs need room, secure containment, climate control, and a handler who is comfortable with size. If you can drive your own dog safely, that gives you the most control. If the household move is too tight, private or semi-private ground transport usually beats trying to force an airline plan.
- Private ground transport for strict timing, reactive dogs, senior dogs, or multiple pets.
- Semi-private/shared ground when the dog is crate trained and your dates have room.
- Flight cargo only when the airline, weather, breed, and crate rules all line up.
Cost And Timing
PCS routes are often long. Ground transport commonly follows the $1.00-$1.75 per mile pattern for private work, with shared routes sometimes lower per pet. A 1,800 mile move can mean several days on the road, more if the route includes other military families or rescue stops.
PCS Paperwork And Base Timing
Pet transport does not wait politely for housing offices, movers, or leave dates. Give the operator pickup access, gate instructions when needed, a backup contact, and the delivery plan in writing. Keep vet records, rabies certificate, microchip info, and medication instructions separate from the household goods shipment.
Questions To Ask Before Booking
Ask where the dog rides, where the dog sleeps, how often stops happen, whether the driver handles large breeds, and what happens if your reporting date or housing date changes. A good operator will want the real timeline, not the pretty version.
PCS note: Treat pet transport like its own line item. Orders, movers, leave, lodging, and housing can all move. Your pet plan needs backup contacts and written instructions.
Red flag: Do not pay by gift card, crypto, wire transfer, or friends-and-family payment. Ask for a contract, business name, USDA registration, insurance, and a tracked payment method.