Carrier Types and Purposes
When purchasing a crate or carrier specifically for travel, you'll need to decide how the crate will be used the most. Will you be carrying it long distances, such as through a long terminal at the airport? Will you be flying with your Chihuahua, or will most of your travel, if not all, be by car? Where do you plan to stay when you are traveling, and is your Chihuahua destructive when left alone? Do you need a crate that can do it all, or are you in a position in which you could purchase more than one carrier?
Depending on how you answered these questions, one or more types of carriers could be suitable for your travel purposes. Within each type of carrier you'll also find a range of features, as well as prices.
Hard Plastic Shells
Crates that are made of hard plastic usually are quite inexpensive and break down into two large pieces for storage. This is the only type of crate that can be used for shipping dogs in the cargo hold of a plane. Hopefully, you'll never have to do this and will always travel in the cabin with your Chi.
This crate is also approved to be placed under the seat in front of you when traveling by plane. (Check with the airlines for current limits on size and weight.) And, of course, it's a very safe and practical way to travel with your Chihuahua in the car.
Look for carriers with a seat belt feature. Some crates have loops that are made for a seat belt to be threaded through and fastened. A dog in a crate is a good thing; a dog in a belted, secure crate is a better thing.
These crates are very light, but if you are walking any distance with them, the plastic crate is a bit cumbersome to carry. Even with a shoulder strap arrangement, this crate still isn't the easiest to carry. Of course, you can always put it on a luggage cart and wheel your dog around in airports, hotels, and such, but this isn't the crate you'll want if you're taking your dog with you into stores, shops, or for a latte.
Wire Crates
Wire crates come in a variety of styles. Some fold up to carry; others don't fold up as neatly. Wire crates are heavier than plastic, a bit more expensive, and are definitely not something you'd want to carry for any distance other than from the house to the car. They do provide the best air circulation, however, and a great view of the world when traveling in a car. These crates are not approved for air travel, whether in-cabin or in the cargo hold.
Be very aware of the difference in temperature in your vehicle. You may have the windows open and enjoying the fresh air while your Chihuahua is overheating in her crate in the back seat. Toy-breed dogs have died because their owners weren't aware that it was so much hotter in back. If necessary, attach a battery-operated fan in your Chi's crate to keep her cool.
Pup Tents
An extremely light, airy, breezy crate that provides shade on warm days and allows cooling breezes to pass through are the mesh, tent-like crates made of screening, nylon fabric, and PVC tubing. As you can imagine, these crates are very easy to stow while traveling and then to unfold and use as an in-room crate while staying at a hotel.
The drawbacks to this marvelous invention are that it can't be used safely in the car and is not allowed in an airplane at all. If you have a Chi that suffers from separation anxiety, she will have this crate destroyed in minutes, too.
Soft-Sided Carriers
For many toy-breed owners, the soft-sided carrier is rapidly becoming the traveling crate of choice. Many different manufacturers are producing quality carriers that have a range of features. Most importantly, the best carriers are durable, allow for plenty of ventilation, are convenient to load and unload (with top-loading and front-door options), easy to clean, and are lightweight and comfortable to carry. There are no sharp corners or rigid plastic sides to bang against your legs as you walk.
Additionally, many soft-sided carriers are approved for in-cabin travel. These carriers are semi-collapsible with a flexible frame that crunches down slightly to fit under cabin seats and springs back to allow your Chi a bit more space when you're not airborne. Options can include extra pockets to carry travel necessities, including brushes, medications, and food; loops for securing the carrier with a seat belt; and retractable wheels and handle for transforming the carrier into a rolling carrier. There's also a myriad of fabrics, leathers, and other materials to choose from. Prices range from moderate and affordable to pricey and over the top.
Other Options
Your options don't stop at just carriers, however. Products that are also available for travel include a belted harness and booster seats. The belted harness is a very safe traveling option that allows your Chihuahua to stand up, turn around, and lie down or sit in a seat in the car.
Depending on the manufacturer, the seat belt either threads through the harness, or the harness has its own attachment for the seat. Adding a booster seat made especially for toy breeds (complete with water bottle that can be heated for a warm seat or cooled for a cool seat) allows your Chihuahua to have a great view from the car window.
