Taking dogs on the ferry to France

[MagratGarlik]

Hi all.

Next week we are taking the ferry from the south of england to Normandy. The ferry will take 3.5 hours. We are taking our two dogs with us, but the ferry company say the dogs must remain in the car for the duration of the ferry trip. We are not allowed down to the car deck to go check on them, or to stay with them .

The dogs have to be muzzled, but I do not know if this is required for the whole journey, or just so the customs people can check the dogs over etc?

So, my questions are:

has anyone here done this before with their dog/s? how did you find it?
do the dogs have to be muzzled for the whole trip?
I am also concerned that muzzling them whilst unsupervised may be dangerous for them, but otoh, leaving them in the boot of the car, unmuzzled if they are frightened may result in a fight? (we are getting DAP collars for them for the journey though).

Does anyone have any advice? Thanks.

Phoning the french vet before we go and booking the return appointment is a good idea Agatha. We've got a list of local ones, so it would at least give one less thing to worry about. Thanks.

Four - Just your spelling, my sweet.

And it's 'You're going to be...', not 'Your...'

We took our dog on the ferry to Normandy at Easter and he was fine in the car, we didn't muzzle him at any stage and I don't remember reading anything about that and nothing was said about him not being muzzled. Just leave your dog in the car with the window slightly open and he will be fine, don't worry!

We used to take ours on the ferry regularly and she was always absolutely fine. Used to put her bed on the back seat and she would just sleep. I never heard about the muzzle thing but it sounds like that is new. But the customs never did any sort of inspection of the dog. In fact she never even used to have to get out of the car. Going out they are not bothered as it is only a GB thing to stop rabies getting IN. At the booth in France coming back they just hand you the barcode scanner and you scan the dog's chip whilst you are sitting in the car and hand it back and they check it against your documents. Thats it.

We never bothered but my MIL used to go and ask about half way through the crossing if they could go down and check on the dogs and sometimes they would let her down there with someone.

Thanks mumeuro and janmoomoo, that's helpful to hear stories from stories from people who have actually done it.

I am probably over-thinking it.

Before the first time we took ours on the ferry, I practiced with him in underground car parks as they are a bit like being in the parking bays in the ferry - just leaving him for half an hour or so. Never any problems, but it might be worth trying it for your peace of mind?

That is a really good idea! Thanks.

You know, every time I see this thread title, I think it says Talking dogs

This is useful info (not directly related to your question but thought you might need to know ... my brother says it usually costs 30 Euros at French vet he uses. "To come back into the UK your dog must have a worm dose and flea and tick treatment administered by a vet between 24 - 48 hours before returning to the UK. The vet has to sign the passport to say this has been carried out. If you are only going on a day trip, the worm / flea treatment has to be administered before you leave the UK"
www.logon2pets.co.uk/index.php?page=pettravel

Lady you information is now outdated. There is now only a requirement to have tapeworm treatment between 1 and 5 days before re-entry into the UK and this signed in the passport. I now have many clients who travel to France for the weekend so we give the treatment on Thursday am for Sunday pm or Monday am re-entry.

yes that is what we did on a long weekend: vets for tapeworm treatment late on Thursday in the UK, then return Monday. Otherwise you can find a vet where you will be staying in France and get them to provide the treatment within the correct timeframe

There's a handy video here all about taking your dog to france