Contact your vet about vaccinations, 'passport' etc.
There are time limits. Some thing before, some thing within a certain period before departure.
Most French campsites accept dogs on lead. Relatively many more than in other countries. Check your camping guide, as the acceptance of dogs is always specified in the data on the specific campsites (e.g. Michelin).
As to the weather: you know what your dogs can have and you know that you have to bring a bottle of water when you gos somewhere, especially if there is salt water. If black: very sensitive to heat, if lighter coloured a bot less. If you choose a little river alongside the campsite you have possibilities of cooling down in case of heat etc.
Southern France cam be very warm/hot. Normally you won't leave your dog in tent or caravan than. Under the caravan will be nice and cool for him, otherwise in the shade of the tent.
Your car will be steaming in the sun: no place for a dog, even with windows a bit open.
You accept restrictions in where to go if you bring your dog. Less museum/fairs/castles/caves, a lot more walking in nature.
I don't know about the beaches. Non-touristic beaches o problem, touristic beaches no doubt some restrictions. Just use your common sense. I have been on small beaches perfectly fit for dogs, no restrictions whatsoever. Just pick one a bit further away from town.
How is the composition of your 'group'. If kids are joining you and are of some age, they can watch the dog sometimes when you go into some cave, canoeing, biking and vice versa.
Just think logically caring for dog as well as people and accept the limitations.
I'm sure I've read about this on other threads on here, if you do a search you'll probably find them.
From what I can remember there are only certain ports you can enter and exit France through when you take animals, I think Calais is one of them. Also I think you have to see a vet in France and get a certificate before you return, I think there is a time restriction on this as well, plus from what other people have said, they have had difficulty in finding vets abroad who have the correct documentation needed to travel.
Also you have to have your animals innoculated (all the normal ones) as well as rabies, and I think you also have to have them micro-chipped.
Much as I love my animals, for a 2 weeks holiday I think I'd rather send them to the kennels/cattery or get a relative to look after them. If you were going abroad for a couple of months it would be more worth while doing.
Tessa
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
We are doing the same next year and have had our dog chipped and inoculated etc you have to allow 7 months after the rabies jab before you can bring it back into the U.K. Also be aware that the further south you go there are lots of very nasty ticks and other problems that it wont have any resistance to,especially Spain.
See your vet and heed their advice is the best option.
We took our dog for a month this summer and it was very straightforward. Yes, it takes 7 months from rabies jab until the dog can return to the UK. It is not the ports which are restricted, but only some carriers are licenced to operate the PETS scheme. Details from DEFRA. We used Seafrance, have booked with Eurotunnel for next Feb. P&O also take pets. Fee for dog seems to be £30 return. (Considering we got a night crossing for 2 adults and a campervan for £90 its a bit of a rip-off, especially as the pet has to stay in the vehicle!) Bearing this in mind,except for Eurotunnel, the dog will travel alone, so you may want to choose a short crossing. Your pet has to be treated for ticks and worms between 24 and 48 hours before returning to the UK. If you miss the 48 hour deadline, you have to have the dog treated again, and wait 24hours. We used a vet near Poitiers who knew exactly what was required, and it was then a days drive to Calais. Double check all the details he enters on the paperwork are correct, like dates, time of treatment, microchip number, or you can be turned away at the port and not allowed to travel. It is much easier than it sounds, especially since a new passport was introduced for all treatment to be recorded in, so you don't need a vet to carry the correct forms. Hope this helps!!
We think the response to this question has been pretty good and we've been watching it hoping to learn some points for next year. I have been on DEFRA's website and printed off the relevant information which appears fairly straigtforward, providing you follow the instructions implicately. We have been considering taking our 6 years old Sheltie with us late May, early June. He has been on 'Program' tablets throughout his lifetime and has been no trouble with fleas at any time. We would be grateful for an approximate cost of chipping, treatments and innoculations, before we ask our local vet for a quote. We think the comments about travelling via Eurotunnel with a dog are good advice. We had an online quote via the CC of £144 with our motorhome for the May/June period mentioned above.
Don M
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
My apologies to other contributers on this topic for directing this particular question to the last correspondent. Thank you so much 'minicamper', exactly the information we were looking for. As you can imagine, we were concerned about the affect of heat on a Sheltie with his double coat, more accustomed to cold weather extremes. How did your dog react to the heat, (and the innoculations etc), and which areas did you visit. Any further information will be much appreciated. Will upload Sheltie image to gallery soon.
Edit. What kind of charges, (if any), were there for a dog on the sites that you visited?
Absolutely no reaction to any injections or treatments. We met another couple with a Lab, who said that after the tick treatment their dog needed regular toilet breaks (if you get the drift here!) for 24 hours, but we noticed no difference.
Our dog is a bit of a sun lover at home, and often chooses to lie in it. She also slept her way through much of France (ie she is a very good traveller)
We visited the Loire,west coast (Royan and Oleron), Lot valley. Good sunny weather in Sept. Temps seemed to be fine for the dog who enjoyed her sunbathing too. Obviously, she did search out the shade at times, and under the van was a favourite, as it seemed to catch the breeze from whichever direction. Also the shade from table and chairs is big enough for a Sheltie. I guess if you stick to the coast in hotter months, you will be guaranteed sea breezes more or less. Your dog will probably go into summer hair shedding too, so don't forget the brushes!
We are all off to La Manga for the C&CC club rally in Feb., so it must have been easy.
Note, we didn't find any pet exercise areas in Dover or Calais dock area. Eurotunnel says they have one. Be prepared!
Many thanks for the additional info. Our dog is also a good traveller and lies in the area just behind the cab seats, no problem. Contacted vet today for a quote for passport, jabs, treatments, chipping, whole shebang. £140, I nearly snapped his hand off. We just need to contact the CC for a full travel quote including insurance.
Don M
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Taking a small dog abroad
