Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

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

Original poster

Taking dog abroad

31 replies

shopsalot · 27/12/2022 19:58

Thinking of summer holiday in Europe (driving) and taking the dog. Has anyone done this and have tips? Or is it something you would advise against? I like the idea of a holiday somewhere different with the dog but a little worried about the heat (maybe Alps instead?) and trying to think of other issues to consider. We have a camper van (small VW) so easy transport and could happily camp but a holiday house would be nice.

OP posts:
tunthebloodyalarmoff · 27/12/2022 20:08

Doesn't sound like much fun for the dog

Paq · 27/12/2022 20:23

We've done it, pre Brexit though so I don't know what the passport situation is now.

It has been REALLY hot on the continent in the summer, even in the alps, so you may end up adapting all your time keeping doggo cool.

mrsrobin · 27/12/2022 22:42

Yes many times camping pre Brexit. Yes it is hot but depends where you go - we found Germany really nice with good walks and not so hot. Mainly we made sure we were near water - rivers and lakes; we also had a really fab trip around Switzerland. I can't see a reason not to take the dog unless you are going somewhere really hot in the middle of summer - and also the faff that has replaced the pet passport.

Original poster
shopsalot · 28/12/2022 10:13

@tunthebloodyalarmoff yes that's what I'm trying to avoid but equally he would hate not to be with us
@Paq I don't like the heat either but thought the alps would be nice with the lakes and walks. We went a few years ago and it really wasn't hot but the last couple of years have been extreme on the continent
@mrsrobin that's exactly what I was thinking - just looking for better weather and a different country. Any odd rules to be aware of? He's good on lead but loves his off lead capers and loves swimming. I know the French are very dog friendly and allow into cafes etc but not sure about Germany /Switzerland.

OP posts:
OrpingtonWings · 28/12/2022 10:15

You have to go through lots of hoops to get a pet passport now so make sure you get that sorted in plenty of time and do everything at the exact time required.

FarFlungFlamingo · 28/12/2022 10:20

OrpingtonWings · 28/12/2022 10:15

You have to go through lots of hoops to get a pet passport now so make sure you get that sorted in plenty of time and do everything at the exact time required.

Pet passports don't apply now.

You need a rabies vaccination at least 21 days in advance of travel and an animal health certificate in English and the language of the country where you'll first enter the EU. Costs of the AHC vary wildly so worth shopping around. Then you need a worming treatment prior to coming back to the UK. When we travelled it cost about 200 all in to take the dog with us.

Clymene · 28/12/2022 10:26

Yes it cost me £200 to get my dog's papers and rabies vaccine in the summer. And it only lasts 3 months. It was nice having him with us but we did have to plan our days around him so quite restrictive if you want to go to eg museums and castles

thelobsterquadrille · 28/12/2022 10:28

Personally, I would be incredibly wary about taking a dog abroad and letting it off the lead.

Noeggsontoast · 28/12/2022 10:30

@shopsalot everything that @FarFlungFlamingo said. We took our two dogs to Europe this year. The Eurotunnel website has all the info you need. We went in June as it's cooler than July and August. It was very straightforward to organise with our UK vet and we pre-identified a French vet before we left the UK so we could get the return journey worming treatment done which we booked in as soon as we arrived. Our two didn't need the rabies vaccination as they were already vaccinated as they'd moved from Australia to the UK with us, so we're already vaccinated. That's the biggest part of the costs. They will need a booster for our trip in 2023 though.

Paq · 28/12/2022 10:59

June in the Alps would definitely be better than July and August on lower ground. These extreme summers seem to be here to stay. We were in Bordeaux in early July and it got up to 40! People with dogs were walking them at 6am and 10pm. The campsite by the river was all under shade but there was no breeze at all.

mrsrobin · 28/12/2022 16:18

@shopsalot No weird rules that I have ever come across except they must wear a muzzle on public transport in Italy. Have been on trains in Switzerland and didn't need one there. I have found most the countries I have been to dog friendly and set up well for them (am talking Germany, France, Italy for good, Spain not so good).

Nschotschi · 29/12/2022 11:31

What breed is your dog? Countries like Austria, Germany and Switzerland have very strict rules about certain breeds (staffies, for example,) entering the country.

mrsrobin · 29/12/2022 14:45

Nschotschi · 29/12/2022 11:31

What breed is your dog? Countries like Austria, Germany and Switzerland have very strict rules about certain breeds (staffies, for example,) entering the country.

Very good point - I always forget this as don't have any of the breeds in question.

vivainsomnia · 29/12/2022 15:04

Doesn't sound like much fun for the dog
Says who? My dog absolutely adores travelling. We went to the South of France last year by car and train and it was great.

Getting the health certificate to travel is a real pain and very expensive and indeed only last 4 months. All the information is on line though and the checking in at the tunnel is quick and straight forward.

We got our dog a Europeen passport there, 1/4 of the price and valid indefinitely. We need to go back in a year for the second rabies vaccination but after that, it will be ok for 3 years. Worming tablets to come back.

Just make sure you are clear in exactly when it needs to be given as it is very strict.

Can't wait to take doggy again, they love it so much.

Original poster
shopsalot · 29/12/2022 16:35

Thanks for all the replies. My main priority is that my dog is safe and happy if we go - I can sort out the admin side. @vivainsomnia is this the passport which we used to be able to have when part of the EU? You got it through a French vet? Sounds sensible.

My dog is a golden retriever, which is why I'm concerned about it being too hot. He is a small working golden - very active, loves swimming and we would love walking him in some of the beautiful places in Europe but particularly by rivers and lakes. He is fully vaccinated including Lepto 4 which I think is important for water in Europe. He is also not neutered - I know of a couple of European countries which actively discourage neutering but not sure if this causes any problems when out and about. He is well socialised and very friendly. Actually trying to find suitable kennels in the UK seems more difficult than taking him with us!

OP posts:
Mindymomo · 29/12/2022 16:41

My border collie would love to go on holiday abroad in a camper van. As long as he is with us, gets loads of walks, visits to pubs and restaurants he’s happy. Our vets charge £250 for vaccine and certification and I believe they need another vaccine at holiday destination to be able to return to uk.

Weflewinstyle · 27/07/2023 19:26

Did you go op? Thinking of doing the same

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 27/07/2023 19:29

@Weflewinstyle you might need to @ the OP so she sees your question Wink

Weflewinstyle · 27/07/2023 20:02

She’s the OP
So will get a notification of a post of her settings are set like that

Original poster
shopsalot · 28/07/2023 10:10

Clicked on this thread thinking "ooh where are they going, I'd like to do that" - then found it was my thread....

Anyway @Weflewinstyle sorry but no haven't done it. Mixed reasons - not organised, as well as concerns about the heat, not being able to do stuff because have the dog etc.

I think once we're not tied to school holidays and the heat of the summer we will plan something. Too much holiday debate going on to be organised - where to go, camping or not, dog or not etc - plus teens who have different ideas on holidays but would still like to come with us (because we're paying).

The right choice was made this summer but there's always skiing! Anyone know any dog friendly ski chalets?

OP posts:
SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 28/07/2023 10:19

Clicked on this thread thinking "ooh where are they going, I'd like to do that" - then found it was my thread....

Grin
Cieloazzurro · 28/07/2023 10:27

We’ve taken our dog abroad with us on several camping trips, but all pre Brexit so I know the rules have changed. I’d definitely stick to Northern areas or the Alps. We’ve done the South of France before and had to massively plan our days around keeping her out of the heat. We once even abandoned our plans and went to Paris for a few days where it was cooler. The most successful dog friendly holidays have been Northern France (Normandy/Brittany) or Switzerland. Even then, it obviously restricts some of the things you can do e.g. only restaurants where you eat outside, one person goes to the shop while someone stays with the dog, but we’ve made it work and had some lovely holidays together. We’ve also enjoyed taking her to places in this country just as much though

Weflewinstyle · 28/07/2023 10:46

Cieloazzurro · 28/07/2023 10:27

We’ve taken our dog abroad with us on several camping trips, but all pre Brexit so I know the rules have changed. I’d definitely stick to Northern areas or the Alps. We’ve done the South of France before and had to massively plan our days around keeping her out of the heat. We once even abandoned our plans and went to Paris for a few days where it was cooler. The most successful dog friendly holidays have been Northern France (Normandy/Brittany) or Switzerland. Even then, it obviously restricts some of the things you can do e.g. only restaurants where you eat outside, one person goes to the shop while someone stays with the dog, but we’ve made it work and had some lovely holidays together. We’ve also enjoyed taking her to places in this country just as much though

Thank you! How did you get there?

Cieloazzurro · 28/07/2023 11:11

@Weflewinstyle we always drive and use the tunnel. Super quick and easy (well, it was pre Brexit. Not sure on rules now). Think some of the ferries now allow you to bring dogs up on deck with you but back then, they wanted you to leave dog in car which we weren’t willing to do. Husband happy to drive abroad but once I had a go, was confident sharing the driving. For Switzerland, you need to buy a vignette (little pass to stick on your windscreen) at the border. Not a problem, think it was about 20 Euros

Bitingspaniel · 28/07/2023 17:26

We are currently in Western France with our dog and having a lovely time! It's not been too hot and on the days it's been above 28 or so we've just lazed around the pool or gone to a beach but made sure there's plenty of shade. He seems really happy and for us it was much better to take him than leave him in kennels etc. We got the ferry over from Portsmouth and had a pet friendly cabin so he could be with us the whole time.