Ferries to France taking your dog. (1 Viewer)

[Morganboy1]

Hi There, We hope to travel to Spain in March (2018) taking our young Springer. We haven't used any ferry before taking our dog, and are looking to go from Poole/Portsmouth to either Cherbourg/Le Havre. We don't want to use the Kennel options. Any advice on routes or any tips would be much appreciated. We are travelling in our Swift Bolero.
Thanks Graeme

 

[Speve]

We take both our dogs but only use the tunnel now or Dover Calais crossing as we don’t like leaving them in the van alone for more than a couple of hours all the other crossings are 4+ hours and you cannot go to check on them, if you do the Santander crossing there are dog friendly cabins but in our experience they are usually fully booked

 

[Decaf]

The 'poop' deck's on the long crossings are rather bleak painted steel deck affairs and you may need to consider some 'inducement' to encourage the dog - we've seen some owners actually take pieces of turf, pots of grass and trays of sand for their dogs to park on. Others of course are not at all shy and will dump/wee anywhere.

Best not to let them have a big meal or anything unusual before sailing, and a good long run before boarding.

Also bear in mind if you are prone to sea sickness, you won't feel like doing the poop deck, and the dog will have to.

The least stressful option is definitely the tunnel, 35 minutes, all sat in the vehicle together, smooth and quick, excellent.

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[sylvester1954]

I have always enjoyed taking the ferry to France, usually Portsmouth - Caen but now we have our 4 legged companion we use the chunnel which is very quick and efficient insofar as comparing the time on the ferry.
The downside is that we live in Devon and have this awful grind of a 270 drive across the south of the country to the tunnel and as we usually head west again once in France its almost the same again. If we could go on the ferry from say Poole that would half the distance...but the dog wins

 

[marrod23]

We travel poole to cherbourg the dog stays in the van & you can go down to see them anytime you can stay on the port overnight sails every morning 8.30 & a very good sailing cheers Rod

 

[marrod23]

I have always enjoyed taking the ferry to France, usually Portsmouth - Caen but now we have our 4 legged companion we use the chunnel which is very quick and efficient insofar as comparing the time on the ferry.
The downside is that we live in Devon and have this awful grind of a 270 drive across the south of the country to the tunnel and as we usually head west again once in France its almost the same again. If we could go on the ferry from say Poole that would half the distance...but the dog wins

Hi we now do Poole to Cherbourg with our dog & you can go down anytime to check on them & from Devon it saves loads of miles fuel & time as i said you can park overnight on the port cheers Rod

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[TerryL]

All depends on the individual pooch doesn't it? Have you ever left the dog alone in the van for any period? It's surprising what they'll accept, especially if you don't make any fuss about it. Ours will lie happily on his own for hours, provided we've got him comfortable in the wee situation first. Sometimes owners anxiety transfers to the pet.

However we always use the tunnel, mainly because swmbo hates ferries, 35 mins and never left alone - no brainer for us. Yes it's more expensive than ferries, but there again we use Tesco vouchers so no (direct) cost to us. Have done ferry crossings elsewhere, though, up to 2 hours and no problems.

 

[EX51SSS]

Another vote for the tunnel.
Travel early, day in Canterbury at Paddington & Road, train then to Cite Europe for a good sleep

 

[John Mee]

Just what I needed to know too.

My other half was saying the other day that they need to see a vet before they can return across the channel. Something to do with worming, is this so or has she got hold of the wrong end of the stick?

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[maison]

She is correct.

The dog must be treated (wormed) by a Vet, not less than 24 hours or more than 120 hours before the crossing, giving a five day “window of opportunity”.

The Pet Passport must be signed and stamped by the Vet and presented at the port/Tunnel before embarking.

Do NOT use a Vet near the ferry ports as they charge through the nose.
Eg Calais Vet €51, Vet near us in Burgundy €11 for same service.

 

[DBK]

Just what I needed to know too.

My other half was saying the other day that they need to see a vet before they can return across the channel. Something to do with worming, is this so or has she got hold of the wrong end of the stick?

The dog needs a rabies injection before you leave the UK too. Talk to your vet to arrange this.

 

[marrod23]

I think if you go to bed at night & leave your dog for maybe 8 hours in perhaps another room in the house then there is not really a problem leaving them in the enviroment that they know ie motorhome our boy is quite happy to stay in the van on his own for a few hours without doing any damage maybe we are lucky happy travels Rod

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[EX51SSS]

I think if you go to bed at night & leave your dog for maybe 8 hours in perhaps another room in the house then there is not really a problem leaving them in the enviroment that they know ie motorhome our boy is quite happy to stay in the van on his own for a few hours without doing any damage maybe we are lucky happy travels Rod

Not all pets are tolerant for being left alone though and may be a very expensive lesson

 

[Madmag]

Agree with marood22. Our dog is happy to be left in our van for several hours. We always travel Portsmouth to Caen, about 6 hours. Just make sure they have a good walk before boarding, you can usually walk them round after checking in but before final boarding. When we were tuggers he was quite happy in back of our 4WD now he the full run of the motorhome but when we get back to him it never seems to us that he has shifted from his bed! When we dock we find somewhere to stop and let him out but to be honest he is so settled that it’s not a problem. We decided this short crossing was so much better than him having to be in a kennel or having to walk him round a deck area on the longer crossings. Done it several times now and it suits us and him. Not all dogs will settle but it if yours is happy in the vehicle and is used to being left at night at home then worth considering this option.

 

[Madmag]

OK. I can’t count, it’s marood23 !!

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[treetops1]

We have never had a problem leaving our two Yorkies both in the same cage when travelling and both stop in the cage when crossing from Dover to Calais ,We always make sure they get a walk before boarding.The cats cage is next to the dogs and all know the format they have done it many times ,they just roll over and go to sleep lol.

 

[Madmag]

Or even marrod23. Time for bed!

 

[Rapphil]

We travel poole to cherbourg the dog stays in the van & you can go down to see them anytime you can stay on the port overnight sails every morning 8.30 & a very good sailing cheers Rod

The shortest of 'long' crossings and when we have been you book an escorted visit to the van about half way through the trip and are allowed a walk around the car deck, not 'anytime'in our experience.

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[Morganboy1]

Does anyone know if you are allowed to check your dog in the Motorhome a couple of times during the crossing between Poole/Portsmouth and France? Do you need permission, and can you let your dog out for a quick wee somewhere?
What’s the quickest crossing from Poole/Portsmouth to France?

 

[Rapphil]

Does anyone know if you are allowed to check your dog in the Motorhome a couple of times during the crossing between Poole/Portsmouth and France? Do you need permission, and can you let your dog out for a quick wee somewhere?
What’s the quickest crossing from Poole/Portsmouth to France?

Poole to Cherbourg "our fastest crossing" say Brittany Ferries just 4 and 1/4 hours, rest as above. One crossing a day leaving at 8.30am.

 

[mfw]

DFDS from dover let you go and see dog with someone once clear of harbours i dont disturb her just listen if quiet just leave her alone then.

They also let you visit dog if travelling from newhaven

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[Deleted member 29692]

Just what I needed to know too.

My other half was saying the other day that they need to see a vet before they can return across the channel. Something to do with worming, is this so or has she got hold of the wrong end of the stick?

https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad/pet-passport

You need to get the rabies vaccination and pet passport sorted out well in advance. The dog can't travel until 21 days after the rabies injection. If it's a puppy the vaccination can't be given until it's at least 12 weeks old.

The rabies vaccination should be a single injection that lasts 3 years. There shouldn't be multiple injections or annual boosters.

There is absolutely no need for a blood test unless you are travelling outside of the EU/EEA

The pet passport and rabies vaccination combined should cost in the region of £50.

If the dog isn't microchipped this will need doing as well.

 

[rb62]

@KeithChesterfield's excellent map, Vets in France

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zTPBDq9Df4L4.kSm3eLuvVb2g&usp=sharing

 

[John65]

We used to have 2 spaniels and now have a 2 year old spaniel and a 11 month old Labrador. We sail from Calais so they are on their own for maybe 1.5 hrs. We went to Ireland this summer and they were fine. About 4years ago we went to Shetland with the 2spaniels which is a 12hr.crossing with no problem. As has been said above it all depends on your dog. Also as above make sure the rabies injection is done. Taking dogs to Europe is very easy now so just go and enjoy your travels.

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[Shrimp]

The one time we used a ferry with our JRT she was fine. She didn't seem stressed-no panting, she wasn't hot & sweaty, just pleased to see us, that was on Dover to Dunkirk tho.
We use the tunnel now-much easier!

 

[Southdowners]

We always go via the tunnel. Its very quick and easy and obviously your dog will be with you all the time.

Don't get caught out timewise with the anti-rabies vaccination. You need to speak with your vet and get your pooch booked in asap if you're planning to go early next year. As well as that you'll need a pet passport too.

 

[marrod23]

OK. I can’t count, it’s marood23 !!

Its still wrong he! he! Merry Xmas & happy travels Rod

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[marrod23]

The shortest of 'long' crossings and when we have been you book an escorted visit to the van about half way through the trip and are allowed a walk around the car deck, not 'anytime'in our experience.

What i mean is there is no set time to go down

 

[Rapphil]

What i mean is there is no set time to go down

Hi @marrod23 we have done that crossing 3 times and when on board we have been to reception and they give you a set time which I think is usually 2 and 1/2 hours after departure to meet at the desk for an escorted visit to deck. Be interested if you have different experience but just trying to get it right for op.

 

[marrod23]

Well we were told if we wanted to go down to see him to go to reception & as he is quite happy to be on his own we didn't disturb him so can't say what the outcome would have been so I bow to your greater knowledge

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