Pet Shipping

Iron Clad Malinois: Puppy Transportation & Shipping Protocol

Our Philosophy: Safety Over Convenience, Partnership Over Transaction

The journey your Iron Clad Malinois takes to your home is the final, critical step in our breeding program. We treat it with the gravity it deserves. Our protocol, refined over decades and informed by veterinary best practices, prioritizes safety, health, and psychological well-being above cost or convenience. We only facilitate transport when we can guarantee a standard of care that matches our own.

Section 1: Our Strong Recommendation & Primary Method

In-Person Pickup is Strongly Preferred
We strongly urge all new owners to collect their puppy directly from our facility. This allows for:

  • Direct Bonding: A calm, supervised introduction.

  • Hands-On Tutorial: Immediate guidance on care, feeding, and initial training.

  • Seamless Transition: The puppy moves from our arms to yours, eliminating unknown handlers and environments.

  • Transparency: You see our operation and meet the puppy’s lineage firsthand.

For clients for whom travel is impossible, we offer a limited, high-touch shipping service under a strict set of safety protocols.

Section 2: The Iron Clad “Concierge” Transport Service

We do not use standard commercial air cargo (hold) or impersonal ground freight. We partner exclusively with specialized, professional services that treat each animal as a VIP passenger.

Option A: Climate-Controlled Private Ground Transport (Recommended for Distances Under 1,000 Miles)

  • Service: Door-to-door transport in a dedicated, climate-controlled vehicle designed for animal comfort.

  • Process: Your puppy travels in a spacious, secure crate with familiar bedding. The professional driver provides scheduled water/feeding breaks and constant monitoring. The vehicle does not make overnight stops; drivers work in shifts for continuous travel.

  • Communication: You receive GPS tracking links and regular photo updates.

  • Advantage: Eliminates airport stress, provides a stable environment, and offers direct delivery to your home.

Option B: Professional Pet Flight Nanny Service (For Necessary Long-Distance Air Travel)

  • Service: A licensed, insured pet nanny personally escorts your puppy in the airplane cabin (under the seat in an approved carrier).

  • Process: The nanny takes custody from us, manages all check-in/security, provides in-flight care, and delivers the puppy directly to you at the destination airport’s arrivals hall.

  • Communication: Real-time flight tracking and updates from the nanny.

  • Advantage: This is the safest possible method of air travel for a puppy, avoiding the dangers and extreme stress of the cargo hold.

Section 3: Comprehensive Pre-Shipment Protocol

Success depends on meticulous preparation:

  1. Veterinary Certification: Within 10 days of travel, our USDA-accredited vet performs a full exam and issues the mandatory USDA APHIS Form 7001 (International Certificate of Health Examination), declaring the puppy fit for travel.

  2. Crate Acclimation: Weeks prior, we condition the puppy to its travel crate using positive reinforcement, creating a safe-space association.

  3. Travel Kit: Each puppy travels with:

    • A multi-day supply of their current food.

    • A sealed bottle of water from our home (for gradual transition).

    • A comfort item with the scent of its littermates.

    • All documents in a waterproof folder.

    • Detailed care instructions for the handler.

  4. Pre-Travel Schedule: We implement a precise feeding/hydration schedule 12-24 hours pre-departure for comfort and safety.

Section 4: Critical Financial & Logistical Disclosures

A. Transparent Cost Structure

All quoted transport fees cover logistics from our door to your local delivery point. Important Financial Notes:

  • Customs, Duties, & Border Fees (For International): All applicable customs clearance fees, import duties, taxes, or border agency charges are the sole responsibility of the purchaser. These are governmental charges that we cannot predict or control. We will provide all necessary documentation to facilitate clearance, but we do not pay these fees on your behalf. Please research your country’s/state’s import regulations and fee structures.

  • Refundable Insurance: Our partnered transport services include a base level of liability insurance. For complete peace of mind, we strongly recommend and can facilitate the purchase of additional, refundable “Total Care” insurance. This optional coverage typically protects against unforeseen veterinary costs related to travel delay or stress, and can be refunded if unused. This is a separate, optional premium.

  • Fee Range: Due to fuel, distance, and service type, fees range from $500 to $2,200+. A firm quote is provided upon application approval.

B. Our Role & Your Responsibilities

  • We Handle Logistics: We book, coordinate, and manage the entire process with our vetted partners.

  • You Must Be Available: You must be present for the agreed delivery window at your home (ground) or airport (nanny). Failure to meet can incur substantial re-routing or boarding fees charged by the transporter to you.

  • Post-Arrival Vet Check: A wellness check at a vet of your choice within 72 hours of arrival is mandatory to activate our health guarantee.

Section 5: International Shipping (Limited Scope)

Given extreme complexity, we only consider international shipments to Canada for now. All other international inquiries will be referred to trusted breeder networks within those regions.

For Canada: We will guide you through the specific CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) requirements, including microchipping and rabies vaccination timelines. All Canadian customs brokerage fees, GST/HST, and any related charges are the importer’s (your) responsibility.

Our Guarantee

We guarantee that we will select the most appropriate, safest transport method available for your situation, manage the process with utmost care, and ensure your puppy is prepared for the journey. We guarantee full transparency in all communications and costs.

To initiate a shipping discussion, you must have an approved application and a reserved puppy. We do not provide speculative shipping quotes.

Iron Clad Malinois — Ensuring Your Guardian Arrives Ready to Serve.