Considering taking our dog along on our trip to Paris. Understand there are dog-friendly hotels, but what about parks, cafes, sights, transportation? Any first-hand experience of having a dog in Paris very welcome!

What size of a dog is it? Paris seems to be very dog-friendly place. My friend and I went to Paris in March. I'm not a dog owner, and did not take one to Paris, but I did notice a few things about the dogs in Paris. We went to a cafe across from the Sacre Couer (sp?), and a woman had her little dog in the cafe where everyone was eating. I can't imagine that being allowed in the States. It didn't look like it was a big deal. It was obviously allowed. The dog was trained pretty well though. I think it depends on how well your dog is trained. I didn't see any dogs on the Metro or in museums, so you might have to leave your dog somewhere during the day. <BR>You will notice that many of the dogs in Paris seem very well-trained. It rained many of the days we were there, and I saw two dogs carrying their owners umbrellas (it was closed, they are not that well-trained!). However, I also saw a dog with its own leash in its mouth. You know a dog is well-trained when it walks itself!

You must be kidding. After checking airline and customs regulations, surely you'll reconsider...Having a dog in Paris could not be more "welcome", but getting the poor pooch over and back will be more than challenging...

It all depends on the dog's nationality. Dogs carrying an EU passport and some few other selected European nationalities are welcome. I think that dogs carrying any other passport would need a visa of some kind.

I can vouch for seeing dogs in the Paris Metro many times as well as their droppings! Oops! They seem to allow them in the restaurants, as big as German Shprds! If the dog is small enough, you may take the dog in a little carry-on bag on your lap I was told by one airline. I am sorry I forget the airline. Or you could buy a seat for the dog. But please don't put the doggie in the animal cargo. I have heard reports of animals dying from the heat and even in rare cases getting loose. They love dogs in Paris it would seem.

I have to agree with Liza. As a dog lover I can completely understand wanting to bring your pet on vacation with you. I miss my dog terribly when I'm away. But I would be most concerned about the dog's safety & health during travel. I've heard horror story after horror story about how the airlines treat dogs in transit. I would highly recommend investigating this for yourself before you put your puppy on a plane. If the dog is small and the airlines will let you bring it in the cabin (as they do some cats) then that's a different story. <BR> <BR>Another thing to consider is despite the fact that dogs seem to be more welcome in Europe than in many U.S. destinations, will the dog prohibit you from seeing other things you'd like to see? Even hotels that accept dogs often do not let you leave the dog in the room unattended. So, what do you do when you want to go to a museum? If you are able to leave the dog in the room they will be confused and will probably bark or chew. <BR> <BR>I'd say find a wonderful dog-sitter to stay at your house where your dog will be more comfortable in his/her own familiar surroundings.

My sister is a vet and I have friends who have been baggage handelers. My advice-from my sister-sedate your dog and carry it on with you. I know this my seem cruel but your dog will enjoy the trip more and will be no problem. As far as baggage handelers are conserned they HATE dogs. Dogs tend to get a little feisty when they are seperated from their owner and understandably so. But they tend to take it out on the guys who load them; and yes the temperature exteemes can kill a dog, sometimes.

Funny how people are so encouraging about travelling with dogs.... Have you read the recent post(s) about people travelling with children? <BR> <BR>(I happen to think this is hilarious...LOL!)

we have traveled with our dog in the flight cabin on several occasions. some airlines have weight restrictions for the main cabin. some only require the dog to fit in the appoved bag (sherpa is one brand--check the pet catalogs) and have room to turn around. the last two flights we took we also gave the little guy a relaxer as he got rather excited. don't know if we will take him again. also, it seems that some airlines give the ticket agent discretion on the turn around rule. we had one agent that said the dog was too big for the bag and made us store him under the plane. not a happy day, although the airline compensated us ok after a nasty note which included a statement by the vet. <BR> <BR>All airlines that allow this (some don't, such as southwest) require a recent health certificate from the vet. <BR> <BR>Anyway--all our flights were domestic US. I read a story in NYT recently that UK requires dogs arriving from international destinations to sit in quarrantine for several months. many die from lack of attention. i think some ambassedor refused a post because he could not take his dog. I don't know what the rule in france is (anybody?), but that seems to be the crucial bit of info you need. <BR>

I have saved up for years for my first trip to Paris, and I don't think it's fair that you are going to bring your dog to Paris and ruin my trip. First of all, will your dog remember the trip? Secondly, only take your dog if he has the right personality and will appreciate the art and culture. Most dogs do not like art. If your dog starts to cry or whine in a museum, you should immediately muzzle him, for the sake of us other visitors who paid good money to enjoy the museum in peace. Also I would recommend teaching your dog French, at least "sit" and "Oh, no, not here!" (form of "besion" and "No, autre ici!") And please learn the rules of Parisian canine etiquette for restaurants. It is acceptable for Bowser to sit on your lap and eat from your plate, but it is not okay for him to nip at the heels of your waiter. Those French waiters tend to frown on that sort of thing. <BR> <BR>And make sure to leave your bitch at home if she is in heat. Sure the French have a different culture which is much more laid back than our American way. But I don't think I should have to be exposed to wanton public poodle lust even if it is St. Germaine. <BR> <BR>I think you must be one of those dog-owners with a career who feels guilty leaving your dog alone at home all day, and that's why you must bring your dog along. Can you leave Fido with Grandma?

The only people who are selfless and nurturant enough to understand Vicki's question are other dog owners. <BR> <BR>PS We're all assuming that Vicki is flying. I know someone who went by ship and the dog did not get seasick (probably wasn't allowed to eat those five meals a day or whatever). The dog's family had rented an apartment and were allowed to leave him alone when they went to museums. To this day, the dog doesn't know Monet from Manet.

To Martha above - I think people are just laughing at the huge outcry against taking a baby on holiday, and yet a dog is receiving nothing but encouragement and help! I'd suggest an animal friendly apartment, maybe with a small area so you could leave the dog outside happily playing while you are going to un-dog-friendly sites. <BR>

Josie, thanks, I got that. I hear Wayne Newton wrote "jokey-jokey" after every unserious comment in his autobiography. Maybe I should start that so I can be better understood and more like my idol (Jokey-jokey). <BR> <BR>I hope vicki isn't reading these comments as "nothing but encouragement, especially if her dog is too big to travel in the cabin. The cargo hold is no place for living creatures--dogs or babies, although I suspect some posters would disagree on the latter.

I would look at this from a practical view. Will this enhance your dogs life or torment it? Or is the real reson to make you feel better? You will be responsible for the dog 24 hours a day. That means if you want to walk and shop, you must think about if you can take a dog in a shop/store or tie it up outside (Real fun for Rover)? If you need a taxi, will the driver allow you to furry friend to ride? Just plan your days and nights and imagine carrying your dog everywhere you go along with lugging around leashes, dog food, etc. Nothing like flying the pet you love halfway around the world for your personal well being-----not his!!

I am a dog owner who plans to take her dog to Paris next year and have done some research. I have an article dated 8 March 1999 from The Whole Dog Journal that deals with all issues associated with traveling with your pooch. The airlines that allow your small dog as carry on are American ($50), America West ($50), Delta ($60), Northwest ($50), TWA ($50), United ($50) and US Airways ($50). There are different restrictions for each airline, for example, on Northwest, the carry on animal must weigh less than 40 pounds; on TWA, coach pets must be separated by 10 rows, etc. The article gives a lot of information about how to travel with your pet. Please e-mail if you would like me to fax you a copy of the article. My dog is still a puppy, so we have not yet flown together, but I do intend to take her everywhere that I can in the future.

Animals are not allowed in the Paris metro system (or bus system) unless they are seeing-eye dogs or unless they are quite small and are contained within an enclosed carrier. How small? A dog the size of a cat would be okay, as are cats if they are in carriers. Dogs are allowed on leash on the RER (but NOT the metro or a bus, that is the distinction), but they are supposed to be muzzled, and you have to buy a ticket for them, I think at the price of a child. Dogs are in theory not allowed to bother someone or you can get fined/ejected.

vicki - i would first check to see what the requirements are for taking your dog into France. Some countries have quarantine requirements on taking animals into a country.

WHY would you torture a poor defenseless animal with plane travel? Geez, it's unfit for humans, but we're stupid enough to *choose* it. <BR>Kidding aside, be sure you have the right documents (there's a website re bringing animals to France, but I don't remember the address - do a search under one of the search engines and you should find it fairly easily) and the right size carrier (don't squish him/her into a smaller cage, hoping to get it on as a carry-on). Check with your vet about tranqs - I moved three cats crosscountry and they were MUCH happier drugged up. <BR>And, finally, as much as I love my cats (and I've had dogs, so I know the attachment) I can't imagine bringing them on a trip. The logistics of getting ME from point A to point B are overwhelming enough without adding a live critter to the equation (be it baby or beagle). Anyway, I tend to leave things behind in restaurants, train stations, etc. I've lost umbrellas, guidebooks and cameras - just imagine what I'd do with an infant or an Afghan hound. My French isn't good enough to explain THAT to the police.

PLEASE consider a pet sitter! If you don't know of one contact Pet sitters International 1-800-268-sits or the National Association of Proffesional Pet Sitters 1-800-296-pets. Your dog will have a great time being pampered in his own home!!

Warf!