Thinking of taking your dog(s) abroad?
Taking your dog to France? Then this is the site for you! We’ve written this blog because, in preparing for our first time abroad with our three dogs (two greyhounds and a lurcher), we found it very difficult to find any decent information on what it actually is like to be away in a foreign country with your pets. There’s plenty to read about how to arrange the pet passports, but what about heartworm, lungworm, processionary caterpillars ….. The worries during the six months after arranging the passports grew and grew as we wondered whether we should just stick to the good old UK for our pet holidays!
All aboard!
This blog is about our first trip abroad with the dogs – five weeks in France during May and June 2009. It has the highs and lows with information about what we did to prepare our furry friends for their big adventure. Please feel free to leave your comments – it may help others who are thinking of going abroad.
Please also be aware that this blog is based on our experiences. We won’t accept any liability arising from anything we’ve written here. If you are unsure about anything, talk to DEFRA before you travel!
Excellent blog: we want to go to France with our husky next year and your site gave us the low down on what to expect. We will update you with our experiences next year.
Thanks for your feedback. Have a great time!
Hello,
I have just finished reading your blog and was wondering whether you took your dogs with you everywhere you went?
We are looking at travelling through Europe next year with two dogs however, are concerned about where to leave them during the days where we want to go and see a tourist attraction for example and dogs are not allowed. Did you ever come across this problem and if so, where did you leave the dogs for the day?
Thanks!
Hi. In our experience, tourist attractions were largely the same as the UK in terms of dog access. Most places did not allow dogs in. When we’re on holiday we only tend to do things where the dogs are welcome or we head off hiking or exploring towns and villages. On the few occasions where we did go into museums, the weather was bad so we were able to leave the dogs in the car. For 90% of our time abroad, however, the weather was way too hot to leave them in the car. Most of the chateaux in the Loire did allow dogs into the parkland but, unlike the UK where you can often enter the park of a stately home for free or reduced price, it was full entry price just to walk around the chateau park and at 10 euros each we didn’t bother! However, if you are staying somewhere and you desperately want to visit an attraction where the dogs aren’t welcome, ask the locals where a good kennel is where you could leave the dogs as day boarders. We saw lots of signs in France for boarding kennels – just the same as the UK.
Hope you have a good time!
I really enjoyed your blog, I’m glad you had a lovely holiday. We hope to take our lab away with us once she’s a bit older so thanks for the tips
Very interesting, informative and reassuring blog, and your dogs are beautiful! We are planning to move permanently to Italy this year with 5 dogs in a campervan. Before reading about your experiences I was worried about the entire Eurotunnel experience…but am now looking forward to it! I found the tips about travel in France very useful, as we shall of course be travelling through France before crossing into Italy. Thanks again, and I wish you many more happy trips with your 4 legged friends.
Hi Katia. Thanks for the lovely comment. Enjoy your life in Italy!
going to france on may 02 for holiday ,ferry crossing Plymouth/Roscoffe depart 22.00…arrive 08.00..have all docs i.e Pet passport ,do I need a collar on my dog while in france as he does not wear one in U.K.? thanks john
I think your dog should definitely wear a collar with an ID tag with your mobile number on it – in the UK and abroad. At least then if your dog does get away from you, someone can see the number and phone you. Obviously, no one carries a chip reader with them and the ID function of the chip is really only useful for dog wardens and the pet passport process.
Hi there,your blog is very helpfull for us as we are going to hungary by car with two dogs.
I am a bit worried about the journey,specially the outward way because I am getting mixed informations about the treatments and paperwork the dogs have to have.They do have passports and up to date vaccinations but will they need timed controlled flea,tick and worm treatment on the way out same than the one on the way back?Different websites different info.Any additional health certificates for them??
Please answer me ASAP via email because we are leaving in a week and I want everything to be properly prepared.
Many thanks
As far as I understand things, you only need to do the 24/48 hour flea/tick treatment prior to the return to the UK. But, if you are concerned, you really should check with Defra or contact the consulate for Hungary to see if they have any special entry conditions for your pets. Countries outside of the pet passport scheme will have their own conditions but I think Hungary is part of the scheme – double check this, though, either by phoning Defra or via their website.
I love this post and thought to browse around and visit here regularly. We’re planning for a pet holiday vacation too, we choose Rome and whoah, we had a very huge list of things to bring and do.
Many thanks for the information you give regarding taking dogs abroad.
I printed off the relevant info and it was a great help during our recent stay in France.
Thanks to you we’ve had no trouble with visits to the Vet for the Passport routine and the trip to Passport Control.
I’m SOOO glad I found your site. It’s full of really useful information. We’re taking our Goldren Retreiver on holiday to the South of France for the first time at the end of September, driving via Eurotunnel. Never hear of Scalibor Collars – will definitely get one of those. Our slight problem is timing for the flea/tick/worm treatment for re-entry to the UK. We’re due to vacate our accommodation in the South of France on a Saturday morning and were planning to catch a Monday morning train back to the UK, which would mean us getting her done ideally late Saturday. Do you have any advice ref. opening hours – do they open Saturday afternoons? Also, about our journey to/from the South of France… do you have any recommendations about places to stop for a good walk off lead? Any website recommendations? Thanks so much in advance, and again I found your site full of really useful information.
Regards,
Maria
You could get the passport treatment done as late as possible on the Saturday morning before you leave the South of France but you are cutting it very fine if your train is delayed in any way on the Monday morning. Some vets will open Saturday afternoons but perhaps only between 1400 and 1600 and you would have to take that chance once you’re in France and find one that is open. Be aware that you would probably not be able to just turn up – you generally need to make an appointment in advance. Or, before you go you could look up vets on the Pages Jaunes on the web – either in the local area of your accommodation, or on your route back – and telephone them to ask them their opening times on a Saturday and make the appropriate appointment. We’ve played it safe and travelled mid week to make it easier to see the vet.
Hi…I just came across your site as I am taking my dog from Corsica to the UK for the first time next week – bit stressful and hope it will be OK!!!!! Its a long journey and to minimise the stress for her am doing Eurotunnel even though it costs an arm and a leg!!!!! I’ll let you know my experiences…….but please just to let you know if you are bringing your dog from UK to South of France or Corsica you must get them a Scalibor collar!!!!……at least from March to October……I have had 2 friends here whose dogs have caught leishmaniosis in the last year and died a horrible death here in Corsica and its the only way to protect them!!!!!
Hi what a wonderful find your site was !!!.a most informative read and my mind has been put at ease as we are taking our boston terrier to normandy in the summer in our caravan.he has a had a passport issued but my main concern was the vet visit in calais .we are staying at le bien assise campsite 3 nights before our return and will certainly be in touch with the vet you recommended in adres.
Thankyou
PS:Whilst in France are there many restrictions with dogs on beaches?
Hi. We only really spent time on the beach at Calais and Capbreton. Capbreton was under a dog ban by the lifeguard hut, but we only had to walk 100 yards to get to the dog-friendly part (and the beach is huge). No problems at all outside Calais. We think it is very similar to UK with bans near the bits with facilities. Have fun!
Hi guys
I currently work in Saudi Arabia and for the past year a friend and her two teen boys have taken care of my 7 year old Labradodle Ben, who happens to be the best dog in the world. Unfortunately, he has taken over their lives and as there isn’t a man in the house he has become the Alpha Male. She feels she cannot keep him any longer and I know she has certainly tried to sort things out, so I am considering bringing him out here. The climate in Taif where I am is very cool in the morning and cool in the evening and is also dry as we are 6000 feet up and 150 miles from the coast. My concerns are how and where do i start in organising this, and most certainly, what are the procedures for brining him back in 3 years time? Can anyone please help or at least point me in the right direction?
Please send replies to my email
Best regards
Dave Fields
Thanks for this post – it’s interesting to read someone’s story of taking their pets abroad. My partner moved out to france this year and I was hoping to go out and join him, but for several reasons I decided against it. One of these was my cat who suffers renal failure and hyperthyroidism. The stress of taking her abroad with her health problems seemed too much, and I could not have left her behind… My partner is now looking for a job back in the uk – the things we do for our pets!!
Great blog, thank you so much! Our Westie’s are coming to France with us this summer and we have been really reassured by your posts! Very useful tips, can’t wait for us all to go now!
Came upon your blog when looking for ‘dogs abroard’ information. Very interesting and informative. I am wanting to take my two dogs with me to France and perhaps to Spain at another time. As I am on my own I am not risking the caravan, but hoping to find pet friendly guest houses or similar. Never done this before so if anyone has any suggestions regarding places to stay I would appreciate it. Passports etc are up to date but the Scalibor collar I had never heard of. Will talk to my vet.
Your blog has given me a boost to get going on this….thank you.
Your site is brilliant and so helpful. We are taking our Golden Retriever Sasha to the South of France for the 1st two weeks in August. Everything is up to date and we are now just in the process of finding a vet. We are staying 10 mins from Narbonne and are booked to go back from Calais to Dover on the ferry (unfortunately can’t travel via Eurotunnel as we have a LPG powered car) about 8am on a Saturday so need to visit the vet on the Thursday afternoon I presume. Do you have any recommendations at all of any vets in the Narbonne and Beziers area? I will also get a Scalibor collar as hadn’t heard about those before.
Just come across your site and found it most informative. We are soon taking our two Bull Mastiff dogs to Spain to live permanently and I am quite anxious about their well being. We already have their Passports but must admit I have never heard of the “Scalibar” collar, which I shall certainly get now. They already have Milbemax wormer along with the Vaccination and health check and they will go to the Vet for a final health check a few days before we leave. You mentioned on your site about the “sand fly” and what harm it can do to your animals – this is true as I have a friend in Spain that lost her beautiful Mountain dog to this disease, so please everyone beware of this. Also your item about the Pine Tree caterpillars, this is also very true, we had 3 Pine Trees on our land in Spain that harboured these creatures but
I have had them cut down and destroyed before my dogs arrive – I’m taking no chances. I want to keep my babies very safe.
This is a very good blog. An interesting find. Well done.
I went to the trouble of getting my pooch his passport last year and have yet to use it.
I pray for the day Eurostar relaxes its rules for allowing pets on the train as this would solve so many problems and make life very easy for us. I know there was a petition for this but does anyone know if any progress has been made for that?
I do not drive in Europe and so if I go it will be by plane or train. I know Swiss Air allows small pet dogs in the cabin and this really appeals to me as I never want to put mine in the hold. Has anyone experience of this. I realise I will have to pay through the nose for this but for peace of mind and to get us away I would gladly sacrifice my holiday spending money!
Am really worried about the vet visits at the other end. If DEFRA choose to amend these I think it will be very good.
What we go through to keep our treasures close to us!
Do dogs suffer from altitude sickness? We’re taking our dog to the alps (Val Thorens) for 10 days and I’m not sure if this is a problem. If so, how long does it take for them to adjust?
Thank you so much for this blog – it’s the only site I’ve read about Pet Passports that has made perfect sense! We are debating whether to take our labrador to Germany and France next year – he’s a good traveller so that wouldn’t be a problem but it was all beginning to sound like a nightmare and I was having second thoughts. However, with the laws changing a bit I might reconsider – especially if they don’t have to go to the vet in France which sounds a real hassle!
Sandfly – we are taking our Jack Russell for the first time to France in September 2011. Read all the stuff about this mozzie, got the Scalibor collar, and spray on Front line recommended by Vet. is it best to keep away from the infected areas completetly, or am I being OTT about it? Seems that the collar gives almost total protection, but I’m still worried. Any advice please?
Thanks
Hi, what a really useful site, we are taking Toby, mini schnauzer to France next week for a couple of weeks, heading towards Rhone-Alpes, Geneva -ish. My vet tells me it is ok to use a Scalibor collar along with the Frontline I dosed him with this week but I am concerned about doing this and then the Calais vet dosage too in a relaively short time. What does anyone think about this -am inclined to leave off the collar ?
Also , do dogs have to be restrained in dog seat belt when travelling in France ?
Thanks for any advice
My daughter lives in France and wishes to bring her cocker to the uk to stay with us. Where does she stand and how does she go about getting her here? Boat in the car?
Diane
I asked my vet about this. He has told me to use the collar, but not dose with Frontline. The collar carries a warning about not using with other treatments.
Paul Hudson
Thanks Paul, we seem to get conflicting advice which is a bit worrying -my vet checked the insecticide ingredients of Frontline, Advantix and Scaibor and siad Frontline can be used with Scalibor but not Advantix. Since he had his Frontline spot on last week, that’s done anyway so dont now know whether to use the collar or not. As we are going to Rone Alps, thought there may be mosquitos nearer to the lakes so the collar might be useful.
Do you intend to leave yours onl all o f the time until you return?
Diane
Thinking of taking our two border collies abroad next year and they are very used to long walks off lead. What are the rules about walking off lead in France (seems hard to find). If I stay on the ‘public’ footpaths shown in the blue IGM 1:125,000 maps can I let them off?
Thanks in advance,
David
P.S. What a useful site, thank you.
Just like UK – It’s your judgement that counts. Have a good trip
Like the blog. It was a pleasure to meet you and your lovely hounds on Gwithian Towans and fortunate to find out about your blog. Jenson – one of our two greyhounds – is always happy to meet new friends especially greyhounds. He dreams of finding a new home away from our alpha female greyhound Jilly, but your blue seemed to have all the same traits. We are novices to campervanning and had planned only to do GB but your trailblazing adventures abroad with 4 greyhounds just might inspire us to give it a try. If we do, we know where to look for information and advice.
Best wishes
Steve
Love your blog. I have Airedales and also travel a lot for showing (40 years of it). Check out my dogtravelpro facebook page and say hi.
I’m taking my Fox Terrier to France and then on to Spain by car. She’s had her pet passport over six months, and I know we need to see a vet between 48 and 24 hours on our way back from France. But do I also need to see a vet in the UK between 48 and 24 hours before I leave the UK?
Great website and gives lots of very helpful information on travel with pets. i am just wondering has anyone found pet friendly guest houses when travelling through France into Italy as I plan to travel to Barrie in Italy to get the ferry accross to Montenegro where I plan to stay for 3 months from April 2012. Any help really appreciated.
Have been trawling the net trying to find a dog boarding kennels somewhere not too far from Calais. I Came across this site and just wondered if anyone knows of any ….. they all seem to be too far away in Brittany. Thankyou
Thanks for this blog, it has made me feel a lot more comfortable about taking our dog to France this year.
Hi,
Great blog!
We’re considering getting a passport for our Cocker for traveling to France but are a bit unsure on the frequency of rabies booster shots.
Several veterinary web sites say their initial shots are valid for 3 years before a booster is required BUT the rules and regs say the dog has to be vaccinated at least 3 weeks before BUT not more than 12 months before travel, therefore, does that mean we have to get a booster shot every year (assuming we go to France every year)?
Hi Nick.
Your dog will need its initial rabies vaccination. The vaccination will last for either two or three years, depending on the drug your vet prefers to use. He/she will write in your dog’s pet passport the expiry date of that vaccination. You will then not need to give your dog any further rabies boosters UNTIL that vaccination runs out and you will be able to go to and from France however many times you like in the intervening period. For example, one of our dog’s rabies vacc expires in Dec this year so we will make sure he has his booster in October or November (remember that there is no leeway with the rabies booster – you cannot run past the expiry date, even by one day). That booster will then last another three years. Hope that helps.
Many thanks for the clarification, that’s made our decision far easier!
I have been living in the Netherlands for the last eleven years, but now I am moving back to the UK and need to take my two Boxer dogs with me.
From reading the defra site is seems that the rules have changed for bringing dogs form other EU countries into the UK?, my question is it required that the dogs have blood tests seven months in advance? I truly hope not as the oldest Boxer is 11 years old and cannot be left with friends in the Netherlands for such an extended period.
I would appreciate some advice on what is required to bring my dogs into the UK as I would have to remain in the Netherlands if the blood test is still required seven months before travelling.
Visit our page on the new DEFRA regulations which pretty much explains things. No blood tests are required now, just a rabies jab (given no less than 21 days before entry into the UK) and a properly completed pet passport plus tapeworm treatment to be carried out by a vet 1 to 5 days before entry into the UK.
I was thinking of taking our Doberman to France with us for a weeks holiday but I am a little confused about the rules there. Some say it is not a problem others say he will need to be muzzled in public places?
Please could you help?
Hi, loving your blog!
We are taking our lovely Hairy Horace, HWV to France next week and have found so much of use and of interest here. Have read the DEFRA stuff so feel reasonably confident with the passport stuff.
We are travelling from Dover to Dunkirk and will be away 6 weeks. I am struggling to find a vet for the return examination in Dunkirk, any websites come to mind?
There are 2 categories of breeds which are classed as ‘dangerous’ in France. Category 1 refers to ‘attack dogs’, category 2 refers ‘guard dogs’. You can look these up quite easily on the internet and it looks as though Dobermans are not on either list. Category 1 dogs are illegal. Category 2 dogs are legal but restricted eg they need to be registered with the Mairie, the owner needs third party insurance and they are to be muzzled and on the lead in public places and, at the moment, it is complicated to travel into France with a Cat 2 dog because of these legal requirements. To be sure, scour the internet for a full list of both categories just to make sure. See this link from the French embassy.
Hi just a warning to frequent travellers like ourselves, it is very important to check that your rabies booster is up to date. As they are every three years here (one year in France) it is easy to overlook – well we did.
Anyway, if anyone arrives in Calais in this tragic position, what we did was find a local vet in Calais. Fortunately, the one we found was lovely and sympathetic. Dr Valerie Delval, Clinique Vet des Salinas, 11 Place Crevecoeur. Telephone number 03 21 007100. She understands English if you speak slowly! No appointment needed and they were open till 7pm on the day we went. She charged us 43 euros for a booster. She also suggested someone to take care of our elderly poodle for the statuatory 21 days in their home. Some of the French kennels look a bit severe for our elderly pooch but we had to get back for school and such. Best thing is not to let it happen though
hi
i´m taking my lbrador to germany next month. he´s had his rabies jab and a microchip and also his petpassport.
will i have to take him to any vetchecks or worm him before we go? we´ll be going hull-rotterdam ferry and travelling through holland
thank you
great page by the way
Hiya, no treatment needed before you go – the checks only apply on return to the UK. Happy travels!
We’re planning a trip across France into Italy, to visit family for the fist time for my 8 yr old border terrier. We shall be worrying, but your website gives so much information and support that we would have never considered even planning the trip before reading through your pages. Thank you!! xx Are you on Twitter? I am keen to join any doggie/border terrier related forum. Thank you.
So glad we’ve been of help. I am on twitter but I am a novice and am still getting used to it! You can find me @BaltoMagic – if you’re a seasoned tweeter you can spur me on!
Nice blog! thanks for sharing!
Thanks for a fab website! We had a holiday fantastic holiday in France with our Irish Terrier over Easter! A visit to a lovely vet in Alberteville ensured a smooth return
Roll on the next holiday!
Thank you for the kind words!
Great website – very useful and reassuring to know that our four legged friends can accompany us to the continent with prior planning. We are taking the car on the eurotunnel with Frank our 10 month old dachshund on Friday. He had his regular monthly Advocate application on 23rd April and I’m due to give him an Advantix application today on the recommendation of our vet (we’re staying in Brittany and will visit the beach weather willing). Do you know if the treatment by the French vet for Tapeworm & Ticks prior to returning (12 days later) will be ok? I dont want to overload his immune system particularly as he is so young, even though I know there isn’t an option. Thanks
We are driving to France in 9 days time and staying there for 30 days.
We have just rehomed a new young dog who is microchipped but does not have a passport. If a vet gives her the rabies injection in the next couple of days and completes a passport to that effect, will we be able to take her to France or do we have to wait a certain period before she is allowed into France?
Read the page ‘New DEFRA pet passport travel rules for 2012′ on the blog – all info you need is there.
Sadly you’ve got to have the treatment in order for the passport to be valid so you just have to accept whatever risks are associated with that. Happy travels.
Is it compulsory to have a blood test done after the rabies injection? It seems to be the most expensive part of the pet passport and labs’ are veriable in price.
Hiya
No blood test under new rules – see here:
http://www.dogtravelblog.co.uk/important-pet-travel-news-from-defra-new-pet-travel-rules-for-2012/