Ferries and dogs

Timpsonboy
Timpsonboy Forum Participant Posts: 37
edited September 2016 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

HI all,im planning to take the plunge and go to Holland next year.Can anyone tell me the way forward as far as dogs are concerned.I can only go to Holland as far as i can see as my dog is a staffie cross and Holland seems to be the only place i can take
her which is fine but what happens to her on the ferry ?Does she stay in the car as its a twelve hour journey and i sure you are not allowed to go back to the car once you are underway.Oh and question 2 when you get to the ferry terminal with your van is it
straight forward to get on the ferry or will i have to watch out for any pitfalls eg wrong lane when i go in and stuff.Sorry to be thick but i have never towed abroad.I watched the caravan clubs video but its done with a motorhome not a van and i didnt feel
it went far enough to explain.

Comments

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #2

    Stena Line advise that you book a place in one of their on board kennels for a dog if you are using the Harwich to Hook of Holland route. 

  • 2blackcats
    2blackcats Forum Participant Posts: 44
    edited September 2016 #3

    DFDS Newcastle to Amsterdam Port of Ijmuiden  the dog can stay in the car and although the car deck is locked after deparrture you can go down accompanied by a member of staff on request to check things out.

    We did this with our cat who stayed in the caravan during the crossing and we visited during the evening (5.00pm departure arriving next morning 9.30am).

    The ferry is excellent and the staff fantastic. One thing to note is that on return from Holland the dog/cat has to be checked in at the terminal office rather than at the normal check in. This delays things by a few minutes.

    The deck staff even recovered my cat when stupidly I let it past me on our return!! Highly recommend this crossing.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #4

    Does your dog look like a Staffie - and dangerous?  I thought I had a similar problem with my X bred - and my vet was accommodating enough to put the "good" part of the cross on her passport as she is not a danger to anything except possibly rats!  In my
    experience they pay no attention to the passports on arrival in France.  But then it would be an awful nuisance to get turned away!  However I can't see anyone stopping you drive to other countries near Holland since there are no borders now?   Good luck with
    the ferry - my dogs are quite happy in the car - although 6 - 8 hours has been the maximum I have done. 

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #5

    My son has a sort of Staffy/labrador/boxer/any other variety cross dog - at least that's what the vet described him as - and he had no problems whatsoever on a two week  holiday in France in July.  The dog was welcome in the mobile home he stayed in, and
    made a fuss over by waiters, shop staff, and in markets.  The vet in England gave no indication that he might cause problems in France and the Vet in France fell in love with him.  He's a big dog, but soft and very very lovable.

    I would have a word with your vet and see what his opinion is - France is very much more dog tolerant than you might think.

    I think the worry is over the more 'Pit Bull' type dogs and if you get an accurate description of the 'cross' from your vet there should be no problems.

     

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #6

    I agree ValDa but Staffies are on the DEFRA list (including mixed staffies) - although it seems mainly to be "imported" into France which doesn't seem to be quite the same as a holiday. 

  • magnet
    magnet Forum Participant Posts: 157
    edited September 2016 #7

    hi pippah. what is the DEFRA list ?? i have a staffie and would love to take here to france. they are not on dangerous dogslist  here . staffies are one of only two breeds that the kennal club recommed to be good with children, thats why there nick name
    is the nanny dog. i am planning on going to France next year and would love to take her with us. any advice would be great.

    dave

  • anothersunrise
    anothersunrise Forum Participant Posts: 264
    edited September 2016 #8

    Is it the Harwich ferry?  I take it you are thinking of doing the overnight ferry, if you do the day ferry is a lot shorter time.  There are kennels on board and you can keep an eye on them on the tv in the cabin. Not sure if they have any dog friendly cabins. 

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #9

    hi pippah. what is the DEFRA list ?? i have a staffie and would love to take here to france. they are not on dangerous dogslist  here . staffies are one of only two breeds that the kennal club recommed to be good with children, thats why there nick name is the nanny dog. i am planning on going to France next year and would love to take her with us. any advice would be great.

    dave

    Write your comments here...I looked it up here and it seems to be the French Embassy - scroll down a little and it gets to the FRANCE section  http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/overseas-holidays/advice-and-information/good-to-know/travelling-with-pets

    I just find it hard to believe that your average Staffie should be banned from France - ditto my mixed breed dog who has travelled to France quite a few times without being challenged!  When I offered my dog's passport to the French Passport control at Roscoff - he simply said "Woof" to me!   Dave I would go for it!  Mine is half Rottweiler - which doesn't appear on her passport!  The other half is German Shepherd - and that is acceptable both in France and Spain I believe!  Although I have the impression I might need to take a proficiency test to prove I can manage her if I went to Spain!  Even though she is rescued she is far safer with people than my nervous Labrador that was brought up by a previous very challenging GSD rescuee - and learnt nothing good from her! 

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2016 #10

    We were worried before my son brought his dog to France but really there was no problem and I think perhaps we all worry too much.

    Maybe you're right and the 'imported' thing is the important bit, but my son's dog is a big dog, powerful shoulders, slightly scary to look at (if you don't know him) and yet there were no problems whatsoever when he was with us in France.  I know the regulations, and there's no doubt that there is some Staffy in there somewhere, but in reality it was no problem whatsoever and both my son, and his dog, were welcomed everywhere they went and I hope other 'Staffy/cross' owners find the same welcome!

  • kenexton
    kenexton Forum Participant Posts: 306
    edited September 2016 #11

    Rita,our Staffie, has been to France and Spain several times with us and we have never had any problems.I would advise you to carry the PP with you in case of challenge by a Gendarme in the street-happened to us once and the Officer looked in the PP,smiled
    and said that his wife was called Rita.

  • magnet
    magnet Forum Participant Posts: 157
    edited September 2016 #12

    hi Pippah and Valda, i would hate to get to france and not be allowed in to the country because of my dog,i get a bad enough reaction here on site and where ever we go. people either love our dog or pull there dogs away and children as if she is going to
    attack every thing. still lots of time between here and next june to think what to do. thanks every one.

    dave a dog lover

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