Matching airline crates for two Dachshunds

Flying two Dachshunds together in separate crates is a smart setup — keeping them individually crated reduces stress and meets most airline requirements. But this only works smoothly if the crates are the right size for each dog and fully compliant with your airline's rules, because IATA standards and individual carrier specs can differ in ways that catch people out at check-in. To get this right, can you tell me: roughly how much does each dog weigh and what are their measurements (length nose to tail, height at shoulder)? And which airline are you flying with?

Good detail, thank you. Lufthansa uses IATA Live Animal Regulations for hold travel, which means the crate must be rigid, ventilated on at least three sides, have a secure bolt-action door, and be tall and long enough for the dog to stand, turn, and lie down naturally. For a 5kg Dachshund, a size 2 crate typically works; for a 7kg one, you're right on the border of size 2 and 3. Can you give me a rough nose-to-tail length for the bigger dog? Dachshunds are long-bodied relative to their weight, so that measurement matters more than the scales here.

That's exactly what I needed. The IATA formula requires the crate to be at least the dog's nose-to-tail length plus half their height — so for your bigger Dachshund that's roughly 70cm minimum internal length, and for the younger one about 61cm. Both dogs will fit comfortably in a size 3 crate, and importantly, going the same size for both means you get your matching set without compromise. The crate I'd recommend for both is the Ferplast Atlas 60 Professional. It's a well-made rigid plastic crate with ventilation on three sides, secure metal bolt fasteners on the door, and an internal length of around 76cm — enough room for both dogs with space to turn. It's IATA-compliant, widely accepted by European carriers including Lufthansa, and sold in identical units so your pair will match exactly. You'll still need to attach water dispensers and live animal stickers, which Lufthansa will specify — but the crate itself ticks every structural box.

Two of the same model is the right call here. The younger dog at 50cm nose-to-tail actually needs a minimum internal length of around 61cm by IATA rules, so the Atlas 60 at 76cm internal gives her plenty of room — and a crate that's generously sized is not a problem for compliance, it just has to meet the minimum, not match it exactly. Going smaller wouldn't save much weight, and having identical crates genuinely does simplify labelling, handling at the airport, and storage at home. Buy two Atlas 60 Professionals and you're done.

Good choice. One last thing worth doing before you travel: email Lufthansa cargo with the crate model and your dogs' weights to confirm acceptance in writing — airline policies do occasionally update, and having that confirmation protects you on the day. Attach the IATA stickers, clip-on water bowls, and a familiar blanket inside each crate, and you're in good shape. Safe travels to all three of you.