PCS orders to Germany land in your inbox—cue the excitement. For about 13 seconds.
Then it hits you: You’ve got a massive dog, in our case we had two. We’re talking 85 and 95 pounds of loyal fluff who definitely can’t ride in your lap and wouldn’t come close to squeezing under the seat in front of you on a Boeing 737.
I quickly realized this PCS was going to be just as much about moving them as it was about moving us. We had absolutely no idea how we were going to get them overseas.
Spoiler alert: we handled it ourselves—no pet shipper, no outrageous costs ($200 per dog), and only a reasonable amount of stress. Way better than the $14,000 quote we got during the pandemic.
If you’re in the same boat—big dog, small budget—this guide is for you. I include the kind of details I wish I had known from the start.
Step 0: Prep Work (a.k.a. The “Don’t Get Turned Away at Customs” Checklist)
Before anything else, you need to make sure your big pup is even allowed into Germany.
- ✅ Check Germany’s banned breed list
Don’t skip this. Some breeds, especially bully breeds, are restricted or require special permits. - ✅ Microchip with a 15-digit ISO chip
It’s not optional. It must be ISO 11784/11785 compliant and done before their most recent rabies shot. - ✅ Up-to-date vaccinations
Rabies must be at least 21 days old, and current at the time of travel. - ✅ Get organized
Start a travel folder with your dog’s health records, chip number, vax records, and any import forms. Print extra copies.
Step 1: Schedule Your Vet Appointment Early
You’ll need an international health certificate signed by a USDA-accredited vet no more than 10 days before travel. Most military base vets are accredited and know the drill.
Book early. Military vet clinics get slammed during PCS season. Waiting too long might mean missing your travel window—or leaving your dog behind temporarily (worst-case scenario).
Step 2: Understand Your Dog’s Travel Options
Large dogs like ours can’t travel in-cabin, so your options are:
- Excess baggage (cheaper, must fly with you)
- Cargo (more expensive, can fly separately)
Start researching airlines early. Not all carriers accept large dogs, and each has different rules on crate sizes, weather restrictions, and weight limits.
If you know you’re flying on orders, ask the airline if military pets qualify for excess baggage pricing—it can save you hundreds.
Step 3: Try to Book the Patriot Express (Rotator)
If you’re lucky enough to fly on the Patriot Express, you can reserve a pet slot directly. Prices are capped (typically under $175), and space is limited.
Call as soon as you get your flight details. Large dog slots are the first to go. If you’re flying as a civilian dependent, the sponsor usually needs to be on the same flight.
Step 3 Alt: Book Commercial—and Do It Smart
If the Patriot Express is full or unavailable, you’ll be flying commercial. Let your travel office or travel agent know immediately that you’re traveling with a large pet.
You might need:
- A form approving alternate travel (if you’re on orders)
- To cover the cost difference between Patriot Express and commercial
Good news: We only paid $20 more than the military would’ve covered, and Delta allowed us to check both big dogs as excess baggage for $200 each.
Step 4: Double Book—Seriously
This is my biggest pro tip: Book both options.
- Call the airline’s main line and book your dog as excess baggage. This attaches them to your flight ticket!
- Then call the cargo department and book a backup cargo reservation.
If something goes wrong at check-in—your dog exceeds weight limits or they’re suddenly overbooked—you already have a cargo slot ready. No scrambling. No rebooking.
Yes, cargo is pricey (Delta quoted me $1,200 per dog), but it’s still way less than using a shipper. And if Plan A works? Cancel the cargo and save big.
Note: Many of the Airline staff told me we were not allowed to fly with a pet because we were not pet shippers and needed contact one to book our pets. This is not true. Ask to speak to someone else until you find someone who will allow you to book. Having military orders typically entitles you to pay for your pet as excess baggage, rather than cargo fees.
Also, very important! Make sure the flight you are assigned has a large enough loading door to fit the dimensions of your dog’s giant crate. I had to drive from Missouri to Atlanta and depart from there in order to fly on a plane that was large enough to fit oversize cargo like my dog kennels. Look up the plane model’s and verify! Then verify this information with the representative! If not, your dog may be turned away at the airport or possibly left behind!
Step 5: Get the Right Crate (And Measure Everything)
Your large dog needs a hard-sided airline-approved kennel that meets the size and construction rules. We used the Giant Petmate Sky Kennel. Here’s what to check:
- Big enough for your dog to stand, sit, lie down, and turn around comfortably.
- Ventilated on three sides minimum.
- Has metal bolts/screws, not plastic fasteners.
Pro tip: Buy early and practice with your dog. Let them nap, eat, and chill in the kennel before travel day.
Step 6: Add the Required Accessories
Here’s your kennel checklist:
- 🐾 “Live Animal” stickers on all sides
- 🥣 Two bowls (food + water), attached to the door
- 🛏️ Absorbent bedding (check airline rules)
- 🔩 Metal hardware only
- 📁 Optional: plastic sleeve with copies of paperwork, photo, and instructions
Some folks also include a short note describing their dog’s temperament. I wrote one for Bandit, since he’s nervous and barks at strangers—just in case.
Step 7: Get the Health Certificate (Blue Ink Only!)
This one’s critical.
Go to your vet within 10 days of travel, get the international health certificate signed in blue ink, then overnight it to your USDA office for endorsement. The vet clinic may handle this for you.
No blue ink? No endorsement. No endorsement? No dog on the plane.
Step 8: Airport Day—Game On
Arrive early. Expect to:
- Weigh the dogs in the kennel
- Remove them for a TSA kennel inspection (don’t zip tie yet!)
- Possibly transport them to a separate pet or cargo area
Pro tip: Have a friend or family member nearby with a vehicle. If your dogs get bumped to cargo at the last minute, you may need to drive across the airport.
After this, your dogs will be taken to board the plane.
Step 9: Confirm, Confirm, Confirm
Before you board, triple check that your dog is loaded onto the plane. Ask for verbal confirmation or a tracking number. There are horror stories about dogs being left behind for days—don’t assume anything.
Step 10: Pickup in Germany
Once you land, your dog will either come out with oversized baggage or through the airport’s animal facility or customs area. You might be asked for:
- 📄 Import paperwork
- 💶 A customs fee (~€200)
The staff in Germany were calm and kind—even when Bandit barked and growled his way through pickup. Germans love dogs. They get it.
Final Thoughts: Big Dogs, Big Win
If you’re staring down a PCS with a giant pup and feeling totally overwhelmed—you’re not alone. I was there too. But it’s 100% doable.
Onyx and Bandit are now living thier best European lives: chasing bunnies in Bavarian fields, barking at church bells, and begging schnitzel from every German Oma we pass.
With planning, backup options, and a few phone calls, you can get your dog to Germany safely, legally, and affordably—without spending thousands on a shipper.
Your dog’s next adventure is waiting. And it starts with a plane ticket.
Best of luck to you and your fur baby! 🇩🇪
Ayla Ellison 