rjsmithmd

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone has ever taken a dog to France (Paris) from the US. I am talking about a large dog and not a lapdog.

My wife and I will be in France, mostly Paris, for 5 weeks this summer. We recently acquired a Golden Doodle who is now 5 months old and is probably 45 lbs or so and continuing to grow. We just returned from a 16 day stay in Paris and missed him a lot. We have our own apartment there, so the accomodations won't be a problem.

I talked to Northwest and they said that the cost would probably be around $250 each way. I mentioned it to our Vet who said he probably wouldn't recommend it. My wife is still talking about taking him along.

I just wondered if anyone has done this, how did the dog do? Did he need to be sedated for the trip? Are there any Quarantene or speicial immunizations that he will need?

So, if anyone out there can be of help, I apreciate it.

Merci,

RJS

suze

If I were moving to Europe permanently, then I would consider it. But nope, I would not put a dog thru all that for just a 5 week vacation. I would listen to the advice of your vet.

hausfrau

I agree completely with suze. We lived in Germany for 2+ years and flew our Australian Shepherd there and back via Lufthansa cargo. We used a company called Air Animal to handle the logistics and paperwork, but even so, worrying about our dog's health & safety was hands down the most stressful part of our international move. I would NEVER fly my dog in cargo unless I absolutely had to. There are simply too many risks associated with putting an animal in the cargo hold (temperature fluctuations, dehydration, airlines losing animals, etc.). (By the way, it is considered unsafe to sedate animals that are traveling in cargo because they need to be able to respond to sudden movements.)

Find a good kennel or dogsitter whom you trust, and enjoy your vacation. Yes, you will miss your dog terribly, but he will be safe and happy to see you when you return.

Travelnut

I'm against it. Some airlines won't carry animals in cargo in the summer, either, although I see you checked on that. Absolutely don't fly with a connection where you pet has to be transferred to another flight. What if your plane incurs some kind of problem and has to sit on the tarmac a long time?

http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/ma.../f0802_1.shtml

http://www.petflight.com/

janisj

I have shipped large and small dogs (Scottie and an Airdale) and a cat home from Europe after living overseas for several years -- and I would 100% recommend NOT taking your dog for just a vacation. That is more for your wife's feelings/security -- not the best interests of the dog.

The poor dog will be on at least two transatlantic flights (do you have connections w/i the States? If so - even more discomfort/upset for the dog)

To even think of ignoring your vet's advice seems very strange to me. I'd ask your wife what her real motivation is. Sorry to be blunt --

LSky

5 weeks is a long time and it's easy to see why you would consider this but I wouldn't want to put my dog through that. When we go through jet lag and the confusion of flying, we know what's happening to us. If your dog gets lost and ends up going on a world tour, it wouldn't have much fun.
Put the dog first and find a loving caretaker for the 5 weeks.

Robespierre

Leave the dog.

If you "miss him a lot," get a good therapist. It's just an animal.

suze

Well I think THAT's a bit harsh... but I do think it is selfish, and not in the dog's best welfare. Believe me, your DOG doesn't want to go Paris!

rjsmithmd

Hey,

Thanks everyone.

All of your responses are consistant with my gut feelings. I really didn't want to put the poor puppy through the trauma. I guess I just wanted to hear it from the expereinced travelers on this Forum.

Merci bien,

RJS

flanneruk

Apart from opinions:

1. To be allowed into Europe, a dog must have documentation demonstrating it conforms to EU Council Regulation 998/2003.For mainland western Europe, this means a rabies injection certificate in the correct form, known in Europe as a Pet Passport (http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/live...m_third_en.htm)
You need either a vet who really, really, really understands EU rules about this, or a specialist logistics company.

2. If you don't want the dog in the hold for 8-12 hours, Cunard have kennels on the QM2. God knows how much it costs, and if the dog has to go through the UK the paperwork gets trickier, as do the practicalities of onward transport to France, since you can't take a dog onto the Eurostar train, and I THINK they can travel only in car on a cross-channel ferry car, not on the deck. But we regularly take the flannerpooch from Britain to the Continent, and it's painless once you understand the rules and follow them to the letter.

kellyee21

Glad to hear you are not going through with this idea. I actually did move to Paris with a dog and a cat from the US, and it was really stressful for all involved, even if it all turned out ok. No way would I do it for a 5 week holiday.

Robespierre

Traveling in the hold doesn't sound too bad. One gets to breathe the same heated and pressurized air that circulates through the passenger cabin, one's own private compartment without anyone dropping his seatback into one's dinner, and no noisy or smelly neighbors vying for the armrests.

All things considered, I'd prefer it to Coach.

Sassafrass

We lived in Europe and shipped our pets to Europe and back, but we were there for three years. They were pretty stressed. My DD currently lives in Europe. She had to ship her animals over, but when she moved from Switzerland to Ireland, she made the trip by car and ferry so the animals would not have to fly. She is a Vet/scientist and just won't do it unless there is absolutely no other option.

I currently work with some people who have to take pets with them on frequent moves. Some animals do fine. Others are in a really pitiful state after a flight, to the point of needing hospitalization. I'm not sure what happened to it, but I saw one die.

I would Never, Ever do it for a vacation period of five weeks. It certainly isn't something the dog would choose. The Vet is giving you good advice.

rjsmithmd

Merci tout le monde,

I appreciate all of your advice. I had pretty much already decided against it, but since my wife continues to mention it from time to time, I thought that I would consult this forum.

You all confirmed what I had already suspected.

Napoleon will be staying in Indy.

Merci encore,

RJS

Dukey

Robes, is that hold lighted during the flight or does the dog travel in total darkness?

"Just an animal?" Yeah, sure....and your kid is "just a kid."

nytraveler

IMHO shipping a dog to/fro europe is only something you should do if you're going for a year or more - not just a couple of weeks. Most dogs are frightened and unconfortable at being thrown around in the hold with a bunch of luggage - never mind those that are injured or worse. Separately, airlines have rules about the temps at which they will fly animals. In the summer it may be too hot to store the animal in the hold (it doesn't have AC and can get VERY hot in the summer).

I think it's really silly - and uncaring of the animal to to subject it to all this because you "miss it" for a couple of weeks.

Would you have your child travel in the hold under such conditions?

Your vet is the expert. Listen to him/her.

europetravel09

The other healthy option depending on your financial position is to check out http://www.dogtravelcompany.net/ There is a $30 membership fee but the company arranges travel where your dog flies with you on the airplane. There is now a forum so people can coordinate travel so it brings the costs down.

Dukey

I want to BE THERE when a St. Bernard gets to fly with you "on the airplane" and i do not mean in the hold.

opaldog

In defense of the OP, I think he was looking for support from fodorites so that he could present the information to his wife to back up his gut feeling about bringing the dog.

janisj

I don't think the OP is still worried (we confirmed his own thoughts)

This thread was topped by a first-time poster who might just be advertising . . . . .