Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Kim Crawmer, KPA CTP, LFDM
Safe, Professional Shipping for Your Prancing Pony Farm Maremma
We handle every detail of your puppy's journey home—from health certificates to air or ground transportation coordination—so you can focus on preparing for your new livestock guardian dog.
For a full picture of all costs including shipping, see the pricing and payment guide →
Our Full-Service Shipping Coordination
Getting your Prancing Pony Farm Maremma home safely takes more coordination than most people expect. Routes, timing, weather, documentation, crate requirements, veterinary health certificates — there are a lot of moving pieces. That’s why we manage all of it for you. We’ve shipped livestock guardian dogs safely across the United States and Canada for years. You focus on getting ready for your dog. We’ll handle everything else.
✈️ Before Shipping Arrangements Can Begin
Your puppy must be fully paid for, and your puppy contract must be signed before we can coordinate any shipping arrangements.
This is a non-negotiable requirement for several reasons:
- Commercial transport requires signed health certificates and ownership documentation
- Our shipping coordination service cannot proceed without full payment and contract completion
- Legal liability protection for both parties must be in place
Once your Maremma is paid for and your contract is signed, we will coordinate:
- Air cargo arrangements (if applicable)
- Ground transport options (if applicable)
- Health certificate acquisition
- Crate requirements and specifications
- Airport logistics and timing
You will receive detailed shipping information via email after your payment and contract signature are confirmed.
Why We Coordinate Shipping Ourselves
We didn’t always do it this way. For years, clients arranged their own transport, and we supported them through it. What we found was that client-arranged shipping — especially when people went with the cheapest option — created preventable problems. Missed documentation. Unreliable shippers. Stressed dogs.
When your dog leaves our farm, they are still our responsibility until they reach you safely. Taking over coordination wasn’t just easier for our clients — it was the right thing to do for the dogs.
How Your Dog Travels
We use commercial air transport as our primary shipping method. It’s fast, well-regulated, and — with the right carrier and preparation — very safe for healthy dogs.
For dogs that can’t travel by air — whether due to size, time of year, or airline embargoes — we research vetted ground shipping options on a case-by-case basis. Ground shipping is subject to availability. We only work with shippers we’ve personally evaluated, and we make the call on which option is right for your dog based on their size, the season, and what’s available at the time.
Either way, the $100 Shipping Coordination Fee covers the work involved — regardless of which transport method your dog uses.
What to Expect: Shipping Takes Coordination
We want to be honest with you: shipping a dog isn’t like scheduling a package delivery. There are variables — weather embargoes, airline policies, crate size requirements, vet appointment availability — that can affect timing. Most shipments go smoothly and on schedule. Occasionally, we need a little flexibility.
What we promise is this: we will not ship your dog until conditions are right. If a weather embargo is in effect or a suitable shipper isn’t available, your dog stays here, safe and cared for, until the right option opens up. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way.
Understanding Your Shipping Investment
Shipping a Maremma Sheepdog involves several components. We believe in complete transparency about every cost involved so you can budget appropriately for your new livestock guardian dog.
What Will Shipping Cost?
Required Fees & Services:
- Shipping Coordination Service: $100 per client (air or ground travel)
- Airport Delivery Service: $100 per dog (air travel only)
- Travel Crate Package: $275-300 per dog (air travel only)
- Airline Cargo Fee or Ground Transportation Fee: $500-$1,500+ per dog (varies by destination/size of dog)
- CVI Health Certificate: $125-150 per dog (paid directly to our veterinarian)
- Layover Kennel (required for some east coast destinations): $150-$20
Add ons – Optional for air travel/required for ground travel:
- Harness: $45-$60
- Leash: $21-25
Exact costs depend on your dog’s size, destination, and travel timing.
How the Shipping Process Works
Once you’ve reserved your Maremma and determined that shipping is the best option for your situation, here’s what happens:
Step 1: Pay the Shipping Coordination Fee Pay the $100 Shipping Coordination Fee on our website before any arrangements are made. This is what kicks off the process.
Step 2: Information Gathering We’ll need a few details from you:
- Your destination — airport code for air shipping, or full address for ground shipping
- Any scheduling considerations (days or times that work best or should be avoided)
- Any special circumstances we should know about
Step 3: Transport Evaluation & Quote We’ll determine the best transport option for your dog based on their size, your location, and the time of year. Air shipping is our first choice when available — it’s fast and well-regulated. If air isn’t suitable for your situation, we’ll research vetted ground shipping options. Ground shipping is subject to availability.
Once we’ve identified the right option, we’ll get specific pricing and provide you with a complete cost breakdown. We won’t proceed with booking until you’ve approved the costs.
Step 4: Payment All shipping-related fees must be paid before arrangements are finalized:
- Shipping coordination fee ($100 — paid before arrangements begin)
- Airport delivery fee ($100 per dog — air shipping only, paid once flight is booked)
- Airline shipping charges — paid once we receive the quote
- Layover kennel fee if required — exact quote provided, paid before booking
- Travel crate package — purchased on our website once transport is confirmed
Ground shipping clients: final ground transport costs are quoted and paid once a shipper is confirmed.
Step 5: Health Certificate & Vet Account Within 10 days of travel, we’ll take your Maremma to our veterinarian for their health certificate examination — required for all interstate animal transport, whether by air or ground. You’ll need to set up your own account with our vet as soon as possible and pay her directly after the appointment.
Step 6: Travel Day Air shipping: We’ll deliver your Maremma to Fresno Yosemite International Airport at the scheduled time, check them in with the airline, and confirm their departure. We’ll call you once the airline weighs your dog and crate to collect the final airline fee. You’ll receive flight details and estimated arrival time.
Ground shipping: Your dog will be picked up directly from our farm by the shipper. We’ll confirm the pickup time and keep you updated on your dog’s transit status.
Step 7: Pickup Air shipping: You’ll pick up your Maremma at your destination airport. We’ll provide specific instructions and be available by phone if you have questions during pickup.
Ground shipping: Your dog will be delivered to your door or a designated drop point, depending on the shipper.
Step 8: 72-Hour Vet Check As required by our health guarantee, you’ll take your new Maremma to your veterinarian within 72 hours of arrival for examination.
Shipping Coordination Service — $100
What This Covers:
- Evaluating air vs. ground transport based on your dog’s size, destination, and the time of year
- Contacting and vetting carriers — we reach out to airlines or qualified ground shippers, confirm availability, and handle all bookings
- Transporting your dog to our veterinarian for the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) — required for all interstate animal transport
- Preparing all travel documentation
- Coordinating layover kennels when required
- Communicating flight or transport details and pickup instructions to you
- Managing any schedule changes or issues that arise
Important: This fee covers our professional time and coordination work. It is 100% non-refundable once purchased, because the work begins immediately. Please review our full refund policy before purchasing.
Ground Shipping: Subject to Availability
Ground shipping is an option we offer when air transport isn’t suitable — for oversized dogs, during seasonal airline embargoes, or when ground is simply the better choice for a particular dog. We only work with ground shippers we have personally vetted. We do not allow clients to arrange their own ground shippers.
We can’t guarantee ground shipping availability for every situation or every timeline. If neither air nor ground is workable in a given window, we will hold your dog safely here until the right option opens up — at no additional boarding charge to you.
The $100 Shipping Coordination Fee applies to ground shipping exactly as it does to air shipping. The coordination work is the same either way.
Airport Delivery Fee
Airport Delivery Fee: $100 per dog
This fee covers our early-morning trip to Fresno Yosemite International Airport (typically 4:00 AM check-ins for 6:00 AM departures for optimal flight schedules).
What This Includes:
- Transportation of your Maremma from our farm to the airport (1+ hour drive)
- Transportation to our veterinarian for the CVI exam
- Professional handling and crating at the airport
- Check-in coordination with airline cargo services
- Final health and comfort check before departure
- Communication of flight details and confirmation
Why Per Dog: Single dogs can be transported and checked in by one person. Multiple dogs require additional assistance, handling, and coordination time, which is why we charge per dog rather than per client.
🔴 Refund Policy: This service fee is refundable (minus 30% processing fee) only if canceled before the CVI veterinary appointment. Once the CVI appointment has occurred, this fee is non-refundable as the majority of the service has been performed.
Airline Travel Crate Packages for Flying Your Maremma
Your Maremma must travel in an airline-approved crate that meets specific safety requirements. We offer complete crate packages that include everything required by commercial airlines – no guessing, no missing pieces, no last-minute problems.
Two Sizes Available:
36″ Crate Package
For puppies 12-14 weeks old
40″ Crate Package
For puppies 15+ weeks and adult dogs
Each package includes:
- Airline-approved plastic crate (correct size for your dog)
- Fabric crate pad (required by airlines)
- Attachable water and food dishes
- Food and bottled water for travel
- “Live Animal” stickers and proper labeling
- Professional assembly and preparation
Not sure which size you need? We’ll help you choose the right crate for your dog’s safe, comfortable travel.
Required Health Certificate (CVI) – You Book Directly with Our Veterinarian
All puppies traveling commercially must have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued within 10 days of travel. This is a federal requirement for interstate animal transport.
Why You Book Directly:
We want you to have a direct relationship with our trusted veterinarian so you can:
- Pay the vet directly (no fees passed through us)
- Add any additional services you’d like for your puppy
- Ask health questions and get professional answers
- Establish a record with a California-licensed veterinarian
Your CVI Booking Process
Step 1: Contact the Vet’s Office Immediately
As soon as you’ve decided to have your puppy shipped, contact our veterinarian’s office to:
- Set up a new patient account for your puppy
- Leave a debit or credit card on file for payment
- Get a cost estimate for the CVI exam and required services
Important: Appointments can fill up quickly, especially during busy seasons. Don’t wait until the last minute to establish your account.
Step 2: Provide Required Information
The vet’s office will need:
- Your information: Full name, address, phone number, email
- Your puppy’s information: Name, age, microchip number (we’ll provide)
- Transporter information: If using a ground shipper, their name and contact details
- Travel dates: Your planned shipping window
Step 3: Vet Coordinates Appointment with Us
Once your account is established and payment is on file, the vet’s office will contact us directly to schedule your puppy’s CVI examination. No appointment can be scheduled until you’ve completed your new client setup and provided payment information.
The examination can be performed either:
- At our farm (farm call applies)
- At the vet’s office (we transport your puppy)
Step 4: We Handle the Appointment
We’ll:
- Arrange the appointment timing (within 10 days of travel as required)
- Inform you of the scheduled date
- Take your puppy to the examination
- Confirm when the appointment is complete
Step 5: You Confirm Payment
After the examination, you must call the vet’s office to confirm that your payment has been processed. The vet cannot legally sign the CVI until the bill is paid in full. This is standard veterinary practice for health certificates.
Step 6: We Receive & Submit the CVI
Once payment is confirmed, the vet’s office will issue the signed CVI. We’ll print and prepare it for the airline or shipper as required.
What’s Included in the CVI Exam
Your veterinarian will assess your puppy and provide/verify:
- Physical health examination to ensure fitness for travel
- Rabies vaccination (if age-appropriate and required)
- Interstate health certificate with official signatures and stamps
- Additional vaccines or services you request (optional)
Typical Cost Range: $150-$250, depending on services required and whether it’s a farm call or office visit. The vet’s office will provide your specific estimate.
Important CVI Timing
The CVI is only valid for 10 days from the examination date. This means:
- We must coordinate the vet appointment within 10 days of your puppy’s travel date
- If travel is delayed, a new CVI examination may be required
- Rush appointments may have limited availability
This is why establishing your vet account early is critical. Don’t risk delaying your puppy’s travel due to scheduling conflicts.
Questions About the CVI Process?
We’ve streamlined this process over years of shipping puppies nationwide. While it may seem like extra steps, having you work directly with our veterinarian ensures:
✓ Transparent pricing with no markup
✓ Professional veterinary advice available to you
✓ Flexibility to add services your puppy needs
✓ Legal compliance with interstate travel requirements
Below is our veterinarian’s contact info:
Kayla S McCrone
Valley Veterinary Services
PO Box 389
Hanford, CA 93232
(559) 942-1101
ValleyVetServices@gmail.com
Airline or Ground Shipping Charges: Variable
(typically $500-1500+ per dog)
Airline or ground shipping fees are charged directly by the carrier and vary significantly based on:
- Your dog’s age and weight (adult dogs cost considerably more than 12-week puppies)
- Your destination airport (or address for ground travel) and route complexity
- Season and demand (peak travel times may have higher rates)
- Current fuel surcharges and airline pricing
We cannot provide exact quotes without specific details about your dog and destination. Once you’ve reserved your puppy and paid the Shipping Coordination Fee, we will contact the airline (or ground shippers, if that’s the best option for your dog) for a current quote specific to your situation.
*Important: the exact cost to ship your dog will be determined at the airport, once the ticket agent weighs your dog and their crate. We will collect payment before the flight based on the estimate and adjust the balance later, if needed.
Layover Kennel Service: $150-$200 per dog (when required)
Dogs traveling to East Coast destinations often have layover times in Seattle that exceed airline regulations (dogs cannot remain in crates at airports for more than 3 hours). In these cases, a professional pet shipping kennel retrieves your dog, provides overnight care, and returns them to the airport for their connecting flight the next morning.
This service includes:
- Airport pickup and return
- Overnight comfortable kennel accommodation
- Feeding and water
- Exercise and bathroom breaks
- Professional monitoring
When Required: Primarily for East Coast destinations with extended layover times. We’ll advise you during the booking process if this applies to your situation and will collect payment from you before booking with the kennel.
Why Trust Prancing Pony Farm with Your Shipping
Years of Successful Nationwide Shipping
We’ve safely shipped Maremma Sheepdogs to families across the United States, from Hawaii to Tennessee, from Massachussets to Canada. Our comprehensive approach ensures every dog arrives healthy and ready to begin their new life.
Professional Training & Expertise
As a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner and Licensed Family Dog Mediator, Kim Crawmer understands not just the logistics of shipping but also the emotional and behavioral needs of dogs during transport. Our shipping protocols minimize stress and maximize safety.
Lifetime Support Continues After Arrival
Our relationship doesn’t end when your Maremma boards the plane. We provide lifetime breeder support and training guidance, including help with any transition issues after shipping.
Transparent, Honest Communication
We believe in complete transparency about costs, processes, and realistic expectations. You’ll never encounter surprise fees or hidden charges with our shipping services.
Prepare for Success Before Your Puppy Even Arrives
Shipping day will be here before you know it. The families who have the smoothest transitions with their new Maremmas are those who prepare in advance—not just with supplies, but with knowledge.
The DIAL Method guide gives you the exact framework you need to successfully integrate your Maremma into your home and with your livestock from day one. Don’t wait until your puppy arrives to figure out your training approach.
Start learning now while you’re waiting for your puppy:
- Understand how Maremmas think and learn
- Know exactly what to do in the first 24 hours
- Have a clear plan for livestock introduction
- Avoid common mistakes that create long-term problems
- Build confidence in your guardian dog training skills
When your Maremma steps off that plane, you’ll be ready.
Order a Harness and Leash for Your Maremma
Your dog will need a properly fitted harness if you plan to give them a potty break at the airport (highly recommended after the flight) or if they’re staying overnight at a layover kennel.
Why harnesses, not collars?
Our Maremmas are trained with harnesses from birth. Harnesses are safer, more comfortable, and give you better control – especially important in busy, overwhelming airport environments.
We Use & Recommend: Blue-9 Balance Harnesses
Sizing Guide:
- 3-5 months old: Medium
- 6-12 months old: Medium/Large (some larger pups need Large sooner)
- 1-2 years old: Medium/Large or Large (most males need Large, most females fit Medium/Large)
Not sure about sizing? Contact us – we know your dog and can recommend the perfect fit.
View Harness Options & Sizing Details →
Important for shipping clients:
- Ground transport: Harness required (shippers don’t provide them)
- Air travel with layover: Highly recommended (kennels often use slip leads, which can be aversive)
- Airport pickup: Bring a harness if you want to give your dog a potty break before driving home
Important Commitment & Refund Information
Shipping involves multiple services and products, each with different refund policies. Please review these carefully before purchasing:
100% Non-Refundable Services:
- ✗ Shipping Coordination Fee ($100 per client)
- ✗ Airport Delivery Fee after CVI appointment ($100 per dog)
- ✗ Puppy/Dog Reservation Fees
These fees compensate our professional time and cannot be recovered once work is performed.
Partial Refunds:
- Airport Delivery Fee BEFORE CVI appointment: 70% refundable
- Travel Crate Packages: 15% restocking fee (before assembly)
- Harnesses & Equipment: 15% restocking fee (unused, original packaging)
Why these policies exist: Payment processing fees, time invested, and opportunity costs are real expenses we incur. Clear financial commitment prevents misunderstandings and protects both parties.
Before purchasing shipping services, please confirm:
✓ You understand the total estimated costs
✓ You’re committed to the timeline
✓ You have funds available for all components
✓ You’re prepared for Maremma ownership
Questions or concerns? Contact us BEFORE purchasing: (559) 904-5193
Alternative Transport Options
Fly In and Drive Home
Several of our clients choose to fly to Fresno Yosemite International Airport, rent a car, drive to our farm (approximately 1 hour), spend time meeting their new Maremma, and then drive home with their puppy in the car.
Benefits of this approach:
- Your dog travels by car rather than by plane
- You have immediate bonding time during the drive home
- You can control rest stops, feeding schedule, and comfort
- May be less expensive than commercial shipping for some routes
- No airline restrictions or requirements
Farm Visit Preferred: If you choose this option, we strongly recommend visiting our farm rather than meeting at the airport. This gives your new Maremma time to meet you, feel comfortable with you, and begin bonding before the journey home—resulting in a much less stressful travel experience for your dog.
Airport Meet Option: If absolutely necessary, we can meet you at Fresno Yosemite International Airport for a $100 coordination fee. However, we don’t recommend this approach as it doesn’t give your dog adequate time to transition to you before beginning their journey.
Fly In and Fly Home (Not Recommended)
Because Maremma Sheepdogs are too large to travel in-cabin with you on commercial airlines, flying out to pick up your puppy and then flying home together doesn’t provide any advantage over having us coordinate commercial shipping directly. Your puppy would still travel in cargo, but you would incur additional expense for your own travel.
We don’t recommend this option unless you’re combining puppy pickup with other California travel plans.
Ground Shipping: Subject to Availability
Ground shipping is an option we offer when air transport isn’t suitable — for oversized dogs, during seasonal airline embargoes, or when ground is simply the better choice for a particular dog. We only work with ground shippers we have personally vetted. We do not allow clients to arrange their own ground shippers.
We can’t guarantee ground shipping availability for every situation or every timeline. If neither air nor ground is workable in a given window, we will hold your dog safely here until the right option opens up — at no additional boarding charge to you.
The $100 Shipping Coordination Fee applies to ground shipping exactly as it does to air shipping. The coordination work is the same either way.
Preparing for Your Maremma’s Arrival
While we handle the shipping logistics, you’ll need to prepare for your new livestock guardian dog’s homecoming:
- Choose a veterinarian and schedule the required 72-hour health check in advance
- Sign up for pet insurance through our free Trupanion breeder code or with the company of your choice. Don’t overlook this important step to protect your investment!)
- Educate yourself about dog training and behavior so you will be equipped to succeed with your new LGD.
- Prepare your home or farm with secure fencing and appropriate shelter
- Stock up on supplies: quality food (we’ll tell you what we’re feeding), water bowls, collar/harness, leash
- Plan integration time with livestock if this will be a working livestock guardian dog
- Clear your schedule for the first few days to help your Maremma settle in
Resources: Stop Guessing and Start Leading Your LGD with Confidence with the DIAL Guide
Airport Pickup Essential Tips
When picking up your puppy from the airport, please keep these important tips in mind:
Harness & Leash Required:
Your puppy will need a properly fitted harness and leash if you plan to give them a potty break after the flight (which we highly recommend). Our Maremmas are trained with harnesses, not collars, so this is essential for safe handling.
Harness Options:
- You can order a harness from us to be taped to the crate or shipped to your home beforehand. (We highly suggest this option if your puppy will be kenneled for the layover, so that the kennel staff can use the harness your puppy is used to for transporting them to and from the airport. Some kennels use slip leads, which can be very aversive to dogs.)
- Purchase a harness locally or online before pickup and bring it to the airport. (Contact us for sizing recommendations.)
Safe Potty Break Area
Airport environments can be overwhelming for puppies. Choose a quiet, secure area away from traffic and crowds for your puppy’s first break. Stay vigilant as your new pup adjusts to you and the new surroundings.
Important: Bring Cutting Tools
Shipping regulations require all crates to be secured with zip ties by airline security. You will need scissors, a pocket knife, or another cutting tool to open the crate when your puppy arrives. Airport staff typically don’t provide these tools, so come prepared!
These small steps will ensure a smooth airport pickup experience for you and your new Maremma puppy.
Please remember to let us know when your puppy has arrived safely!
Ready to Bring Your Maremma Home?
Whether you’re across the state or across the country, we’ll make sure your new livestock guardian dog gets to you safely and with minimal stress.
Next Steps:
- Complete your puppy application if you haven’t already
- Reserve your place on our waiting list
- Contact us about shipping when you’re matched with your Maremma
- Relax while we handle the details
Questions about shipping? We’re here to help. Every situation is unique, and we’re happy to discuss your specific needs and concerns.
Contact Options:
- Text: (559) 904-5193
- Email: kim@prancingponyfarm.com
- Phone Consultation: Book a call
Ready to Protect Your Homestead Dreams?
Join scores of happy families who sleep peacefully knowing their beloved animals are protected by reliable Prancing Pony Farm Maremmas.
✅ Health-tested bloodlines ✅ Proven working genetics ✅ Lifetime support included
