travel
April 19, 2024

Traveling with a dog? Not so easy!

Since I bought a dog about two years ago, I'm more organized than ever. Of course this does not only apply to the normal everyday life in which I try to integrate my bitch Prima as well as possible, but also for my travels.

In the past, of course, everything was a bit simpler: you could spontaneously fly to the next metropolis or tell your friend to come along to this chic holiday home by the sea. Today is the first question I would ask on such an offer: Are dogs also allowed? But even if you take a pet with a piece of spontaneity? I would always decide that way.

Dog on the plane: yes or no?

Sooner or later, each dog owner asks the question: should I take my dog on the plane or not? For a variety of reasons, I have not done it yet: For example, with her nine kilograms my bitch is "too heavy" for the cabin. Most airlines allow dogs up to eight kilos on board. That would mean that I would have to put them in the hold as "special baggage"? and I have not had that heart yet. Of course, you also need special flight boxes for the transport of your pet. The airlines have various requirements in this respect, which can be read on the homepages of the airlines.

Another reason why my dog was not allowed to accompany me on air travel is because I'm not sure how he would handle the flight. Some dog owners resort to tranquillizers for the four-legged friends, but that is highly controversial? not just because of the possible side effects. For me, the question of whether I would take my dog on the plane, so with a "No" to be answered. However, if I were the owner of a small dog, I would definitely dare try in the cabin. Of course not on an 11-hour flight to Canada!

By the way: For some dog breeds, the question of air travel does not arise at all. Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog, Pug, Pekinese, and Shi Tzu are among the blunt-nosed races? and are particularly sensitive to temperature and stress. You better not fly.

On the way to the sea? or not?

Whether hotel, holiday house or pension: There are now throughout Europe dog-friendly accommodations by the sea, in which you can take your dog for a small extra charge per night. On the North and Baltic Sea, dogs are allowed to walk freely on the beaches in the low season. This is a great option that I often use with my dog. However, between 1st April and 30th October, dog owners must be content with locked dog areas on the beach. For me and my bitch that was unfortunately nothing? too many dogs on a small area. Those who do not have a water dog at their side will not spend the best time on the beach during the high season.

By the way: There are many dog-friendly countries throughout Europe. For example, dogs are welcome in the Netherlands (Nordwijk and Wassenar), in France (Portiragnes, Port la Nouvelle, Côte d? Amor or Pays de la Loire), in the UK (especially in Scotland)? a paradise for dogs? as well as in Scandinavia. In Denmark, Finland and Sweden there are several beaches where dogs are allowed to run free.

Basically, a holiday by the sea is always a good idea with a dog? at least off the high season.

Oh, how beautiful is it in the mountains!

If you have a dog, you have to make friends with your hiking boots automatically. Personally, I've never had a problem with that: Even before I had a dog, every year I was drawn to the mountains. Whether that's the Alps, the Pyrenees or the Highlands, does not matter? only the natural aspect is important. My bitch, who accompanies me to all the forests, valleys and mountains, seems to have the same inexhaustible energy and joy. Well, that could of course be because she is half Fox Terrier.

For me the ideal holiday with a dog is a trip to the mountains! On no other day of the year I see my dog as happy and at the same time broken, as after a strenuous hiking day. If you are lucky and have a dog that you can leave alone for one or two hours, you can treat yourself to a break in the restaurant or in the hotel spa in the evening. But it is just as nice in a holiday apartment where you can let the evening end together.

What is not so good

Of course, there are also the trips that do not go so well with dog. For example, I like to go on a skiing holiday? Dogs are not allowed on the slopes (understandably!). But you do not have to do without it - after all, you can split up with your partner or your family or take a nice snowshoe hike.

Even city trips, cruises and long-distance travel to Asia are feasible today? In fact, there are already shipping companies that offer cruises with dogs?, but not without effort. In such cases I prefer to rely on a person from my environment or my dog sitter, in case of doubt, my four-legged friend is better off than doing the stress of traveling. For dogs, such a holiday is in doubt not quite as relaxing as for mum.