Strong and large dog breeds are popular pets because of their loyalty to their human family. They make excellent guard dogs, and when well-trained, they can be remarkably gentle and loving. However, some strong breeds are classified as dangerous or aggressive, and many airlines do not fly them.

A complete flight ban has been lifted by many airlines with the implementation of the IATA CR 82 regulation where these dogs are required to fly in specially reinforced crates. Here’s all you need to know about CR 82 crates and if your dog needs one for international travel.

The IATA LAR CR82 standard explained

The CR 82 standard was introduced by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to keep strong and dangerous dog breeds safe and secure during air travel. The crate must be sturdy in construction and meet IATA’s standards of safety and security. The LAR CR 82 standard can be explained as:

LAR stands for Live Animal Regulations, which is IATA’s airline manual that outlines the rules and regulations for transporting live animals. CR 82 stands for the particular Container Requirement rule in the manual for transporting potentially dangerous animals.

How are CR 82 crates different from other IATA compliant crates?

The IATA CR 82 rule states that the crate must be constructed using wood, metal, synthetic materials or wire mesh. It says that the crate must not use plastic in any part and the door must be built using metal, reinforced wood or heavy wire grate. The door should have a secure means of fastening that cannot be opened accidentally by the dog.

CR 82 crates are made from reinforced wood or metal, unlike standard crates that are made with rigid plastic. These crates are specifically for dog breeds with powerful paws and jaws that can easily chew up plastic crates and escape during the flight.

The CR 82 regulation has been in place for many years now, primarily for the transportation of wild animals such as tigers, lions and bears. IATA introduced it for dangerous dog breeds in 2012 for extra safety and security. With this regulation, many dog breeds that weren’t able to board flights earlier can now take to the skies.

Getting the right crate for your strong dog

The correct sized crate is necessary for your dog to have a comfortable flight. Most airlines will not board your pet if they find that they are travelling in crates that are too small or not ventilated. Since your dog will spend most of his or her journey in the crate, it is crucial to make sure it is the right size and dimension.

The right-sized crate is tall enough for your dog to stand up comfortably and big enough for him or her to turn around and lay down. Make sure you measure your dog before ordering the crate. If your dog is large, you might need to get a customised crate.

The crate should have adequate ventilation on all four sides. The openings for ventilation must be 1 inch in diameter and spaced about 4 inches apart. The holes must not be wide enough for any part of your pet to protrude out of the crate. The door of the crate must be strong enough to withstand the powerful jaws and teeth of your strong dog. The inside of the crate must be free from nails, screws and other protuberances that could hurt your pet during transit.

Additionally, the crate will need other accessories to make it comfortable for your dog.

• Comfortable and absorbent lining on the floor of the crate
• The bowls for food and water must be attached to the door in such a way that they can be refilled without having to open the crate door
• Clear and correct labelling on the crate. The crate must have Live Animal and This Way Up stickers placed prominently

Does my dog need the CR 82 crate?

The IATA has notified that the following strong and powerful dog breeds warrant a reinforced crate for safety reasons. Since the CR 82 crate is more expensive than the regular IATA-compliant plastic crate, it is a good idea to verify with your airline or pet travel agency that your dog needs such a crate to be able to fly.

According to IATA regulations, the following breeds require a CR 82 crate to fly:

• Bull Terrier
• Anatolian Shepherd
• Dogo Argentino
• Rottweiler
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• American Bully
• American Pit Bull Terrier
• Fila Brasileiro
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• Bull Mastiff
• Perro de Presa Canario
• Caucasian Mastiff
• Cane Corso
• Japanese Mastiff

Some airlines exempt dogs that are classified aggressive from travelling in a CR 82 crate if they are six months or younger or weigh less than 10kg. If a dog shows signs of aggression, the airline can refuse to board the dog and ask to be rebooked using a CR 82 crate even if the dog is not the aggressive breed list.

Are you planning to travel with a strong dog?

International travel with a strong or aggressive dog has become more accessible with the introduction of the IATA CR 82 crate regulation. If you are planning to travel internationally with your large dog, get in touch with Petraveller for more details and a detailed pet travel itinerary.