Cargo crates for Shiba Inu and Akita flying

Flying two dogs of very different sizes in cargo means you'll need two crates that each meet IATA Live Animals Regulations — and the sizing rules are strict: the dog must be able to stand at full height, turn around, and lie down naturally, with no part of them touching the crate walls. Get the dimensions wrong and the airline can refuse to load them at check-in. So before I point you at specific crates: what's the approximate weight and shoulder height of each dog, and which airline are you flying with? The Akita in particular can vary enormously — some males hit 40kg — so I want to make sure I'm recommending the right size rather than guessing.

That's really helpful. Japan Airlines follows IATA regulations closely and accepts dogs in the hold on most long-haul routes, but they do cap per-crate dimensions, so I'll factor that in. For your Shiba at 10kg and 38cm tall, a size 300 crate (roughly 91cm long x 61cm wide x 66cm high) gives him comfortable standing room with the required clearance. For your Akita at 32kg and 65cm tall, you're looking at a size 500 — typically around 122cm x 81cm x 89cm — which is substantial but necessary for a dog his size. One quick question before I recommend a specific brand: are both dogs brachycephalic at all, or are they standard muzzle-length Shibas and Akitas? Japan Airlines has restrictions on snub-nosed breeds regardless of crate size.

Great, that removes one complication. The brand I'd point you to for both crates is the Ferplast Atlas range — they're IATA-compliant, well-built, and available in the sizes you need. For the Shiba, the Ferplast Atlas 30 Professional is the right fit. For the Akita, you want the Ferplast Atlas 60 Professional — it's one of the few crates at that size that's widely available in the UK, meets IATA dimensional requirements, includes the required water and food dishes attached to the door, and has the ventilation on all four sides that airlines expect. The Atlas 60 handles dogs up to around 50kg so your Akita has room to move. Both crates come with the live animal stickers and arrow labels airlines require, which saves you sourcing those separately. I'd still recommend confirming the exact internal dimensions against Japan Airlines' current cargo guide before you book, as they occasionally update their approved size tables.

Yes — a few things that make a real difference. Line the floor with an absorbent pad or a thin non-slip mat rather than loose bedding, which can bunch up and distress the dog. Freeze a small water dish the night before so ice melts slowly during the journey and the dogs stay hydrated without spillage at check-in. Attach a clear plastic pouch to the crate door with feeding instructions, vet contact details, and destination contact — Japan Airlines cargo staff will expect this. Don't lock the dogs in for long periods beforehand to exhaust them into compliance; instead, keep their normal routine and let them settle in the crate at their own pace in the days before. And cable-tie the door latches in addition to the standard clips — cargo handlers are thorough but an extra tie costs nothing and adds security on a long-haul flight.

That's the right call. Both are solid crates that should sail through check-in if the dogs meet the sizing criteria on the day. Good luck with the flight — travelling with two dogs internationally is logistically complex but very doable when the crates are correct from the start.