Right, so some friends are currently on a year out travelling round Europe in a motorhome, we're thinking of driving out to meet them.
Only problem, if we go without our dog, they'll go spare, think they want to see the hound more than us.
So, how easy is it to travel with a dog to Europe? The tunnel seems an obvious choice but anyone taken their dog on a ferry? Do you leave them in the car or can they come onto the ferry proper with you? How easy is it to find an English speaking vet to worm them / sign the passport for the return journey?
Thought I'd ask here for a quick concise answer rather than trawling through pages on the net. Plus you're all a bunch of dog lovers on here.
Thanks
It is really easy - have done it several times, when I was living in CH. First thing first, the dog needs a rabies inoculation and a blood test after 6 months to show the antibodies are there.
And then a micro chip and a pet passport
On the way back it will need to be dewormed ...
But if the rabies jab hasn't been done, then the pooch is going no-where for 6 months. Whats the time frame?
We have friends that do it loads. Very easy. Dog stays in the car on the ferry. There is something shenanigans about seeing a vet before you come back.
First thing first, the dog needs a rabies inoculation and a blood test after 6 months to show the antibodies are there.
AFAIK, the passport can be issued once the jab is done now, or else it's a matter of weeks rather than months. Ring your vet, he or she will tell you the timeframe. Certainly not six months from when we did ours...couple of years ago.
Tunnel is easiest - but £15 each way for the dog. Check DEFRA website for timeframe for worming injection - I think this changes from season to season (or depending on what's about) eg. for us in France 12 months ago, it was between 48 and 120 hours from return. You go to a french vet, they know the score, they do the injection and stamp the passport.
Allow yourself plenty of time on your return to Calais, as you have to go into the pet check in. They scan the dog and check the passport then you're good to go.
It's a breeze once you do what you're supposed to do.
We're thinking September, he's already microchipped and just needs his rabies jab and passport. Not too worried about sorting that, as time frames have changed so I think the 6 months doesn't apply anymore.
It's more what happens on the ferry if we choose that route, as I don't want him left in the car. Also the ease of getting him treated for worms on the way back.
I'm pretty sure you have to leave him in the car on the Ferry.
Seriously tunnel is far easier - they even have a play park for dogs in Folkestone. 😀
Ah, more replies when typing!!!
Nickjb, thanks that gives us something to think about regarding the ferry. Wouldn't be my first choice to leave him in the car!
deadlydarcy, thank you perfect info. Knew I was better off asking on here than trawling the web!! 😀
Molly's passport:
Photo not compulsory, but c'mon, you have to really 😀
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Dog has to stay in car on ferry so most people recommend using the tunnel. I used it with my dog and its ok. When returning you need to get a tapeworm treatment for the dog, this needs to be done 1-5 days before return. Make sure you get the official vet stamp and signature and that they use the correct approved treatment. I was a bit nervous about the return but all went ok. I think the key is to find a vet that's used to doing this.
Make sure your dog not on the dangerous dog list for the country's you want to visit, our friends didn't until they sorted the dog passport (Staffy) 😳
Good point z1ppy!
Op, there are restrictions on certain dogs in France. These will be listed somewhere and are categorised into two or three different types, depending on breed. AFAIK, Staffies have to have a pedigree certificate to be let in. But they're still on a list. Many campsites which are dog friendly will have on their T&Cs that they don't accept "any dogs from type 1,2 &3" My wording is prob way off there, but you prob get what I mean.
Thanks. I'm pretty sure (I've not checked yet), that even our eccentric European cousins, won't have classed a working cocker as a dangerous dog! Dangerously stupid maybe!
took the collie over with us to central europe, used eurotunnel which was really good as you can stay with them in the car for the 40 min journey. There were no checks in France either, you only need to declare the Pet when you return to UK.
By the way you only have to wait three weeks from rabies vaccination in UK to being given the all clear to travel
I think you'll be alright with one of those.
If your dog belongs to a breed recognized as dangerous dog, you cannot import this kind of dog in France (cat. 1). These breeds are :any dog of the type known as the Staffordshire terrier without a pedigree.
any dog of the type known as the American Staffordshire terrier without a pedigree. (These types of dogs can be named « Pitbulls »)
any dog of the type known as the Mastiff. (These types of dogs can be named « boerbulls »)
any dog of the type known as the Tosa without a pedigree.
Other breeds classified as guard dogs (cat. 2) with a pedigree can be imported into France :
Staffordshire terrier
American Staffordshire terrier
Rottweiler- Rottweiler and any dog of the type known as the Rottweiler without a pedigree.
Tosa
Just texted our friend who's also Molly's vet. Passport automatically valid 1 month after jabs. No need for blood tests either.
deadlydarcy, thank you!
We do it in reverse Europe to UK quite often and as said rabies (I'm pretty sure it's at least 3 months before) and worming 48hrs before, get the vet to check your chip for the return journey. We've had problems at the ferry port with our chip, but it always works OK at the vets, they've always let us travel anyway (unless you work for DEFRA in which case we've had to leave the dog behind :wink:). Get some tick-off as well, there seems to be a lot for ticks about this year.
I'm pretty sure you have to leave him in the car on the Ferry.
We've never taken the dog on the Calais to Dover route but on the ZeeBrugge / Rotterdam overnighters there are kennels on the car deck where you can leave the dog, they vary in size and are limited in availability though. Whilst they won't admit to it when you book you can go down to check on them during the night if you really must.
It's a long journey for a dog though, 2 hours before sailing you are stuck in the 'pen' with only concrete for them to walk about on, then 12 hours sailing and probably another hour through customs before you can find the nearest [s]childrens playpark[/s] grass area for them to 'go'. Our dog seems to cope OK with the whole thing though. A couple of hours in the car for the Dover-Calais would be a piece of cake I would think.