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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Dogs on Brittany Ferries

6 replies

trickynicky · 10/02/2013 12:09

We have a new (gorgeous) puppy - mini-Schnauzer who is currently 12 weeks old. We had booked our holidays to France before having her but we are going by Brittany Ferries to Caen in the summer and would love to bring her. I realise we have to sort out the passport etc but I also see that she would have to stay in the car for the crossing. Well it's an over night one on the way there which I think would be OK for her as she would probably sleep but all day on the way back cooped up on the car seems cruel on her own.

Has anyone done this? Any thoughts/advice.
Thank you

PS: DO they get sea sick??

OP posts:

topbannana · 10/02/2013 13:36

Car decks are INCREDIBLY noisy and when we took GingerDog for his first European jaunt last year DH flatly refused to leave him alone on the ferry we took the tunnel instead (our first time!!)
It was very quick, GingerDog stayed in the car with us and slept through most of the journey. Would definitely do it again and would not consider a ferry crossing if we were travelling with the dog. It was also cheaper for some reason. Is there a chance to change your booking?
We just felt that if the outward crossing was a bad experience we would all be dreading the return journey, as well as driving through France in a car smelling of dog shit and sick
Aside from that it was lovely to have the dog with us, the French were very welcoming, he loved it and its something that we would definitely do again :)

Stubbed56 · 10/02/2013 13:50

They also have kennels on those ferries, right? My dad's dog goes in the kennels. Apparently the car deck can get hot in summer.

aliciaflorrick · 10/02/2013 18:11

If you're on the Pont Aven they have kennels, although my dog used to be prefer to stay in the car.

Original poster

trickynicky · 11/02/2013 10:45

No chance of changing the booking I'm afraid. We are on the Normandy which doesn't have kennels so would mean the car for her I'm afraid! Can't say I'm keen but also can't say that we would want to put her in kennels at home for 2 weeks and leave her behind! Might have to bite the bullet!

OP posts:

Crabbylucy · 11/02/2013 12:54

Hi Tricky Nicky, have you had a look at there website? There is a lot of info and some tips under Pets/full details. Your car will be familiar to your dog, so might be less stressful for her. I know what you mean about leaving your dog in the kennel. Luckily MIL lives nearby and she looks after our dog when we are away.

assumpta · 11/02/2013 16:03

Hi. We brought our little rescue to Ireland for Christmas on the ferry journey from hell. We left him in his crate in the back of 4x4. I dreaded the state I thought I would find him in when we got down to him in the morning. It was due to be a 3.5 hour journey, but because the weather was so bad it took more than 5. Dd vomited all the way, so I had rubber gloves ready for action. I opened the boot, and he was happy as larry, no problem whatsoever. We then had a long journey driving, but just broke it up. I didn't use the onboard kennels as I was afraid that if other dogs were upset, it would stress him out. I would have loved to have brought him to France with us last summer, but I think it would have been way too hot for him, and was glad that we left him with a pet sitter. We will do the same this summer as flying and can't take him, but changing our pet sitter to a one to one pet sitter in their home. I hope it works out for you. I did give travel tablets, perhaps these calmed him too.

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