Advice on whether to move dog over with us

[keating19]

Our family has a 45 pound lab/border collie mix and we will be moving to Singapore this summer for 2 years. Our first thought was to leave him behind with friends or family. Our main reason for not bringing him is our fear of how he would handle the 22+ hour flight from the US and 30 day quarantine. He is a great dog but gets anxious about travel (even at 5 years old he trembles getting into the car). We have had a hard time finding a family who can take him for us, so we are now rethinking whether we should bring him.

Does anyone have experience bringing a dog all the way from the US? It seems like Singapore is a dog friendly place. Would you agree that he could have a happy life there? Is it hard to rent housing with a pet? From our research, we know there are a lot of logisitics to moving him over. We are happy to do it if we think we can get him there safely and provide a good life for him once we settle. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[JR8]

I have a friend who had three similar sized/breed of dogs whilst living in NYC. One was a very old retriever, another a very very nervy [rescued dog] young cross, and the third I don't recall, but probably more everyday. She took all of those back to Singapore with her c5 years ago where they remain at her parents place.

Now in Europe the same girl has another dog, a German Shepherd cross. Again a rescued dog, and prone to nerves in general. We actually brought over her dog transport kennel in our freight from SG to Europe when we moved last year, so you can be sure that this one is going back to SG too!

Frankly if my friend has got her one uber-paranoid dog back to SG, and plans on repeating that again, I can't see there is a hurdle for you that she has not already successfully crossed.

[Nath21]

Our family has a 45 pound lab/border collie mix and we will be moving to Singapore this summer for 2 years. Our first thought was to leave him behind with friends or family. Our main reason for not bringing him is our fear of how he would handle the 22+ hour flight from the US and 30 day quarantine. He is a great dog but gets anxious about travel (even at 5 years old he trembles getting into the car). We have had a hard time finding a family who can take him for us, so we are now rethinking whether we should bring him.

Does anyone have experience bringing a dog all the way from the US? It seems like Singapore is a dog friendly place. Would you agree that he could have a happy life there? Is it hard to rent housing with a pet? From our research, we know there are a lot of logisitics to moving him over. We are happy to do it if we think we can get him there safely and provide a good life for him once we settle. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Where did you come the conclusion on dog friendly? Apartment living usually with no back yard and yes its harder to rent with a dog, excessive heat, limited space, inherent fear of dogs by locals, lack of off lead parks. Add some horror stories about quarrantine here and you also have a dog scared to go in the car and that needs lots of exercise. Not exactly ideal.

[ttujess]

This was probably the hardest decision we had to make, but in the end we left our two dogs (a 50lb shepherd mix and 80lb boxer) with my in-laws. Our dogs were like our babies and I miss them like crazy, but I know they have a great life - my in-laws have a farm in middle Tennessee. I just didn't think they would be happy here.

Our budget only allows for a condo with a small balcony, and our dogs have always had a big backyard. And some days my husband and I will both be gone from 7am to 7pm which would mean hiring someone to walk them or coming home to total destruction. Even the best dog, when left alone for 12 hours or more will find something to lessen the boredom, and it's usually something you won't like!

BTW, I used to walk a friend's miniature poodle when we lived in the River Valley area. People would freak out and and move as far away as possible! It was ridiculous - the dog was tiny so I can't imagine me walking two big dogs down there. On the other hand, we live on upper bukit timah road now and there are quite a few people with larger dogs over here and I don't see people cowering! So I guess "dog friendly" just depends on where you live.

Good luck with your decision

[longstebe]

I have been away from my dogs for nearly 1 year, I'm missing them both very much.
One of the dogs has travelled from Thailand to the US and back.
Good luck.

[Mary Hatch Bailey]

Does anyone have experience bringing a dog all the way from the US? It seems like Singapore is a dog friendly place. Would you agree that he could have a happy life there? Is it hard to rent housing with a pet? From our research, we know there are a lot of logisitics to moving him over. We are happy to do it if we think we can get him there safely and provide a good life for him once we settle. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

I moved my big Lab from the US to Singapore then back to the US, then back to Singapore. He was a calm, well-adjusted dog, and for him it was no problem. For one of the short haul flights, he flew in the cabin of a private chartered jet, and he didn't love it, but he put on a brave face. The Westie has been back and forth and like the Lab, in quarantine and did fine. Last year we brought a puppy from the US to Singapore, he did his time at quarantine as well. The separation was awful, but the staff is great and we both survived. He is a healthy, wonderful dog ~ seems no worse for wear.

Housing with a tiny, postage stamp-sized yard will start at $10K/month. Something to think about if your dog needs lots of exercise. I'd think more of how his lifestyle will change. If he's used to having regular walks and people at home all day in the US, but this will change if he stays with family or friends, than for the dog, I think the trip would be worth it.

Vet care is good here, and cheaper than in the US and some make house calls. Imported food, like everything else is expensive.

[Mary Hatch Bailey]

Where did you come the conclusion on dog friendly? Apartment living usually with no back yard and yes its harder to rent with a dog, excessive heat, limited space, inherent fear of dogs by locals, lack of off lead parks. Add some horror stories about quarrantine here and you also have a dog scared to go in the car and that needs lots of exercise. Not exactly ideal.

I thought the same thing. I make sure our lifestyle promotes their well-being in part to compensate for the lack of dog culture here (although to be fair, this is changing fast). I work my schedule around walking them when it is the coolest, we rent a place with a pool so he can swim, I plan weekly play dates. In the next few months I'll decide whether to stay in Singapore based on being able to rent the right place for all the pets. Sounds crazy, but if they're not content, the whole thing unravels.

[coolguy5481]

Check local laws too.

Our family has a 45 pound lab/border collie mix and we will be moving to Singapore this summer for 2 years. Our first thought was to leave him behind with friends or family. Our main reason for not bringing him is our fear of how he would handle the 22+ hour flight from the US and 30 day quarantine. He is a great dog but gets anxious about travel (even at 5 years old he trembles getting into the car). We have had a hard time finding a family who can take him for us, so we are now rethinking whether we should bring him.

Does anyone have experience bringing a dog all the way from the US? It seems like Singapore is a dog friendly place. Would you agree that he could have a happy life there? Is it hard to rent housing with a pet? From our research, we know there are a lot of logisitics to moving him over. We are happy to do it if we think we can get him there safely and provide a good life for him once we settle. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[JR8]

Check local laws too.

What local laws?

Owning a dog is not illegal

[sundaymorningstaple]

Certain breeds can no longer be brought into Singapore.

http://www.ava.gov.sg/NR/rdonlyres/A630 ... 170810.pdf

(viii) The following breeds of dogs and their crosses are not allowed to be imported into Singapore - Pit Bull
(which includes the American Pit Bull Terrier also known as the American Pit Bull and Pit Bull Terrier,
American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the American Bulldog, and crosses between them and with other breeds) Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa, Akita, Dogo Argentino, Boerboel, Fila Brasileiro
and their crosses.

[JR8]

Certain breeds can no longer be brought into Singapore.

http://www.ava.gov.sg/NR/rdonlyres/A630 ... 170810.pdf

(viii) The following breeds of dogs and their crosses are not allowed to be imported into Singapore - Pit Bull
(which includes the American Pit Bull Terrier also known as the American Pit Bull and Pit Bull Terrier,
American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the American Bulldog, and crosses between them and with other breeds) Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa, Akita, Dogo Argentino, Boerboel, Fila Brasileiro
and their crosses.

Of course, but OP already stated it is a lab/collie cross. Hardly a 'fighting dog'... well, apart from with the doggie-toys

[sundaymorningstaple]

coolguy5481 made the statement "check local laws". Obviously, he knew that some dogs were not allowed to be brought in, but didn't know any more than that.

And you asked the question whether owning "a dog" is illegal or not. Soooooo, I printed out the section which shows which dogs were not allowed. Neither I nor coolguy5481 made any reference to the OP's breed of dog but just put out the information for all of our readers who might have dogs.

[JR8]

coolguy5481 made the statement "check local laws". Obviously, he knew that some dogs were not allowed to be brought in, but didn't know any more than that.

And you asked the question whether owning "a dog" is illegal or not. Soooooo, I printed out the section which shows which dogs were not allowed. Neither I nor coolguy5481 made any reference to the OP's breed of dog but just put out the information for all of our readers who might have dogs.

Jeez you're incorrigible sometimes . The response in question was utterly vague, misleading and given details in the OP simply not relevant.

If you have nothing useful to add don't bother, is my advice to newbies. It detracts rather than contributes.

Would you support the following Q&A?
Q: Can anyone help advise if I am qualified for an EPEC, here is my status... [a,b,c]?
A. Wah, must oso check law re: LPR yah.

[sundaymorningstaple]

It was actually more for your benefit. I believe you left Singapore before 2009? If so, your original statement was correct. But after November 2009 the law was changed to forbid the bringing in of those named breeds.

Crusty ole curmudgeon? Yes, Incorrigible? Yeah, when it's expedient to be so.

[JR8]

It was actually more for your benefit. I believe you left Singapore before 2009? If so, your original statement was correct. But after November 2009 the law was changed to forbid the bringing in of those named breeds.

Crusty ole curmudgeon? Yes, Incorrigible? Yeah, when it's expedient to be so.

Hehehe....

Nope didn't leave 'before 2009', left mid last year, as a non-SGn for whom my base is SG, on a posting abroad for 3 years, prior to returning to SG. Hope all clear now! Wouldn't want you thinking I'm some quitter or patriot-without-cause eh?