SturdiBag Pet Carrier, Large - Black

Actually purchased the Extra Large Sturdibag from a local store for our 13", 13lb. Miniature Schnauzer, but just had to leave a review here after two 2-3 hour flights because it's such an excellent product. The extra large is 16" tall by 20" long, just right for our MS--she can stand up fully and turn around (an airline requirement btw) normally, yet the flexible rods over the top allow the carrier to "smush down" and fit under an airplane seat when the time comes.

ON THE PLANE:

The BEST part of this "smushability" is that the flexible rods are still trying to retain their arched shape, so even under the seat, they are pushing the top of the bag UP, resulting in your pet having as much room as possible. (Our MS can lay down in the carrier when it's under the seat, with a few inches clearance above her head/back). In other words, the bag doesn't just collapse in on your pet when pressure is applied.

The 20" long extra large version fits under the seat but extends into your foot space by a few inches. We were never called out on this by a flight attendant (flying Alaska Airlines & Horizon Air) but something to think about if your airline is more strict. It would not extend into the foot space if turned sideways (taking up two seats' underfoot space).

CONSTRUCTION:

Overall, the carrier is extremely well built. Quality materials for both the sides and vented openings, velcro closures, and zippers. Straps are very comfortable for carrying, both by hand and over the shoulder. The padding inside the carrier is extremely plush (fleece over an egg-crate pad), attaches to the bottom via 2 velcro strips (front and back), and has stood up well to 2 washings so far.

The carrier is incredibly light for how much structure it has. A foam core board in it's own zippered compartment on the bottom of the bag makes it as comfortable as possible for your pet to be lugged around or set down (and may be removed if you want to completely collapse the bag for storage). The rest of the bag gets it's shape from 5 removable, flexible rods--2 on the top down the length of the bag, and 3 arcs from one side to the other at the front, middle, and back of the bag.

FEATURES: Rounding out the package are the bells and whistles. Four vents, consisting of a fabric flap attached by velcro to plastic mesh, 3 of which unzip fully: the main front door; 2 square vents on the top, each of which has a half circle zipper creating an opening for your pet to put their head out (or your hand in); and a half circle vent on the top of the back panel which doesn't unzip. The bottom half of the back panel is a zippered pocket, just the perfect size for treats, toys, poop bags, leash, food, and collapsible water bowls. And, finally, inside there is a plastic d-ring to attach a short leash to your pet (in case of escape artists), while outside are 4 nylon loops--one at each corner--to stake down the carrier (in case of high winds under the airplane seat?? who knows.)

CONS:

None. I guess the only thing missing are wheels for rolling the bag around, but that would add significantly to the weight of the bag and, more importantly, wouldn't be comfortable for the pet inside based on the current shape (and assuming a carry-on bag type construction). Therefore I don't consider this to be a weakness.

SUMMARY:

All-in-all, this is an extremely well-built carrier with all the features you need (plus some), and the only one I've found large enough for my Miniature schnauzer that still conforms to airline standards.

HELPFUL TIP:

Even if your pet has no qualms about going into the carrier initially, I highly recommend making VERY positive associations with the bag before your trip, by giving very tasty treats for getting into and staying in the carrier for short periods with the door open and closed. Flying can be stressful and making this carrier a "home away from home" will give your pet a little extra security. If we put this carrier on the floor with the door open, our Muppet will get in on her own and turn and look at us, looking for her tasty treat. :) When we travel, she'll hop right in if the situation is new or she's unsure, so we know she considers that space her little "safety cave." Happy travels!

We used the Large SturdiBag pet carrier to bring our pug on a long flight from NJ to California. It was perfect in every way. We were really worried that she was too big for an under-the-seat bag and there was no way we could put her in cargo. She is only 14 pounds and she would have been terrified to be in a kennel in cargo. Also, Continental Airlines excludes pugs as a short-nosed breed from cargo because of potential respiratory problems, and our vet also told us not to put her in cargo. So, we were in a panic trying to find a bag she would fit in, and that the airlines would approve when we arrived at the counter.

We looked at many bags, and I can say without a doubt that this bag truly saved us! It is very roomy inside, and all the features are perfect. We loved the top flap because we were able to unzip it while on board to reach in and pet her without being too noticeable. I added photos of our pug in the bag, and she had lots of room to move and sleep. She looks small in the bag sitting or lying, so that's the ideal when you show up at the counter. When standing, she is about 13 inches tall (to the top of her head), so her head did hit the top of the bag. That didnt bother her, but we were afraid she would look tight according to the airline person. She is about 16 inches from nose to tail, so we really thought this bag would be small. I actually ordered both the Large and the XL, but the XL would never be approved for an under-the-seat bag, and we could not take a chance. But once the dog relaxed and settled down in the bag, she "snugged up" into her sitting or sleeping shape, and it looked very roomy, as you can see in the photo.

I read the comments about the bag being hard to carry, but that is a small issue to get the benefits of this bag. A boxy shape would be easier to carry but it is much tigher for the dog inside. This bag seems perfectly designed to get the most room for the size. The "smushable" top is perfect. It gives extra room while still fitting under the seat. The seperate top rods allow them to be "smushed" independantly of each other, so while on board, we pulled the bag out a few inches from under the seat to expose one of the top flaps. We were able to unzip that flap to reach in the bag. The bottom cushion is perfect and does not consume as much room as it appears to (since it flattens under the weight of the dog). It is functional as well as comfortable without the pad the dog slids around the bag. The pad has velco under the bottom attaching it to the bag.

We spent at least 2 weeks getting her used to the bag so she would be ok in it the day of the flight, and I recommend this. First we put treats in the bag, and then built up to zipping her in the bag for a few hours while sleeping. This is really the perfect bag, and I'm sure whoever designed the SturdiBag is an airline traveler with a small/mid-sized dog. A tiny dog can go in a small bag under the seat, and a large dog would be ok in cargo, but it is very hard for the mid-sized dog. This really works for an under-the-seat bag! Couldn't be more satisfied with this purchase!

I'm adding an update (June 2012): We still love the bag! We have not needed it for airline travel since our move, but it is also perfect for car rides. It can be held securely with the car seat belt, and works much better than the hard kennel we had used for car rides. She is very secure inside, and she does not slide around. The bag was a great purchase all around. It will last a long time very well designed and very well made.

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I purchased this bag after my cat ripped a (small) hole in my Medium Sherpa Carrier, which I successfully flew with once before. I have a 12 pound cat and was planning for a flight on Southwest Airlines. When the Large Sturdibag arrived, I was nervous about it being too large, especially with Southwest's 8.25 inch height. Because of this, I also purchased the Small Sturdibag, which said it could hold a pet up to 12 pounds. The small was a bit too small for my cat-and I was more nervous the airline would reject my cat in the Small bag because he couldn't "stand up and turn around comfortably" than that the Large wouldn't fit under the seat, so I returned the small. I didn't have a single employee mention the size of the bag, and it fit fine under the seat in front of me with just a little squishing on top, on all THREE of my connecting flights. I even sat in a window seat each time (the middle seat space is bigger, while the aisle is smaller), and turned the bag with the door facing me-it stuck out barely past the seat, but no more than any other purse or backpack might. I didn't try turning it the other way, but it seemed it would fit for sure in the middle. The trouble with this would be the windows on the bag would be mostly covered by the seat.

I must suggest, from personal experience, that lining it with a "puppy pad" was very helpful for quick clean-up when my cat had an accident. Although the lining included is very soft, you don't want to end up with a smelly pad mid flight.

Pros: Very flexible height. Seems high quality. Love the locks on the zippers. The straps are great. Seems pretty light. Can be disassembled to store easily if you live in a small space. Great customer service from the company. My cat loves the bag-he climbs it in to take naps.

Cons: I did like the top loading feature of other bags, and when I tried to coax my small dogs into this bag to test it, pushing them in wasn't very successful. The pocket is also rather small. It also made me very nervous to fly at first, due to its size. Price is also a bit high, especially when investing at the same time as paying hefty "pet flying fees".

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I really love this bag and more importantly, my doggie LOVES this bag. I've had numerous travel bags for her the biggest problem has always been that the bags don't keep their shape and end up taking away a lot of my dog's room. This one keeps its shape due to the interior poles they're like tent poles, amazing! She climbs in the bag all the time, it's like her little cave she feels cozy and comfy in there!

I traveled with the bag over the holidays flew Delta one way and Jet Blue the other way. I was most worried about Jet Blue because they specified that the carriers couldn't be over 8.5" (what dog is that tiny???) and this bag (size Large) is 12" tall. Well no one said anything and the bag slid right under Jet Blue's teeny seat. We were in the regular seats not the extra room ones or anything. I just pushed down a little on the top of the bag and then it slid right under the seat with no problems and of course kept its shape due to the bag's amazing design. Delta flight was not a problem either fit under the seat just fine.

I'm SO happy with this purchase and would recommend this bag to anyone. It seems to be very high quality, it's very comfy (the pad that comes with the bag is thick & plush), my dog loves it, and it worked great on the teeniest of the airlines. It was super easy to put together you just slip in the bottom board, the pad, and then the "tent poles". Some said they had problems getting the poles in, but I didn't at all.

My dog is 15lbs and about 11" from ground to shoulder. She fit perfectly and had plenty enough room to turn around. The bag is really light, just about 2lbs.

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Let me preface this by saying that I have an 8-month-old, 24-lb French bulldog who'd recently outgrown his Medium-size Sherpa bag we got him when he was a smaller puppy. So I was specifically looking for the smallest bag that would still be comfortable for him as he goes from puppy to dog but would also likely pass through airport inspection without comment. We live in NYC and take the subway a bunch, too, where it's required that dogs be in their carriers. This one seemed perfect, and I have to say I'm very impressed with its construction overall. It's sturdy (obvs., hence the name) but flexible. It's good-looking, too. And I love the padded strap; it's easy to carry. Well, as easy as it can be to carry that much weight. My Frenchie took to it immediately and once he gets settled inside he goes right to sleep, so I know he's comfortable in there. The real problem is that it's a single-entrance bag. I knew this when I bought it but didn't understand the ramifications. The single entrance might not be an issue if your dog is significantly smaller than the bag (i.e., really tiny, so why are you getting a large bag anyway?), but any small-medium dog will fit rather snugly inside and will technically be able to turn around but not easily. So the dog goes in head-first but has to either awkwardly turn around or back out? That's stupid. Why not do away with the (not-all-that-useful) pouch on the other side and make it a zippered entrance/exit also? It's obviously not possible to make the top an entrance because of the "ribs" of the bag, but both ends should really be a way in/out. I would give this five stars if they tweaked the design to make it more convenient to get in and out of. But its awkwardness quotient is aggravating enough to knock it down to three stars.

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