Has anyone ever taken their pooch to Europe? I'm curious about what it would involve to bring one's dog to France (for say a month's vacation in a country rental). First, getting the dog into France- would proper papers be enough, or does France impose a quarantine? Second, what about the flight itself, in terms of comfort for the dog? From absolutely no practical knowledge of my own, I can't help but feel a 7 hour flight would be cruel for a dog. Is there a special cargo area for animals? Can they breath properly? Is it too hot/cold for them? I realize I would have to do real research on this if I was seriously thinking of travelling with the dog soon. As it is, a month in the French countryside is something we may be able to do in a couple of years. We usually leave the dog with relatives when we travel, for 1-2 week periods. A month of doggie responsibility seems a long time to ask of our relatives, plus we would miss her! But perhaps it's more cruel to bring her along? I live in Canada, btw. Thanks. <BR>

In 1997, we took our dog with us to Paris for a month. We all had a great time, the dog included. Some caveats, though: bringing your dog along is easier if you're staying in one place most of the time and if you have more than one person with you to help take care of the dog.<BR>Dogs that weigh under 7 kg can usually go in the cabin. Over 7 kg, they have to go in cargo. To minimize any problems, pick a nonstop flight, fly when it's neither too hot nor too cold (our vacation was in March and we left from San Francisco, CA, so the weather was mild at both departing and landing airports). We have been told that the newer Airbuses provide better animal compartments than Boeings, but I can't verify that for sure. It's our personal belief that European carriers (AF, British Airways, Swiss) do a better job with animals than U.S. based airlines like United, Delta, etc.<BR>The people at CDG and Air France were wonderful with handling our dog. They brought her off the plane immediately and told us to take her for a walk before bothering with customs (although that's probably changed in these post-Sept. 11 days). The AF pilot himself verified that she was loaded correctly and sent the chief steward back with a description of our dog to make 100% sure the wrong animal had not been loaded on the wrong plane. <BR>Dogs are welcome in most Paris cafes, restaurants and shops, and it's the same in the country. <BR>Re papers, to bring a dog into France, you need a health certificate from your vet and proof that your dog has been vaccinated for rabies more than 30 days and less than a year before your flight. <BR>Re the crate, do not pick a crate that's too large for your dog. Your dog needs to be able to turn around and stand up, but not more than that. Do not tranquilize the dog. Make sure your dog is crate trained, esp. if flying in cargo. Provide ice chips that melt slowly rather than water in the water dish, as the water will probably slosh out during loading. Bring along at least a 2 to 3 day supply of your dog's normal food to help your dog "work into" a new diet (most major dog food brands are sold in Europe--Iams, Science Diet, Pro Plan, etc.). <BR>Some dogs should not fly in cargo due to potential respiratory problems--pugs, English bulldogs, Pekes, etc. Fortunately, pugs and pekes are usually small enough to go in the cabin. <BR>Overall, it was a positive experience for us, but I don't recommend it to anyone who hasn't thought it through very carefully. We would have preferred to have a housesitter for the month we were gone, but that didn't work out. We live in Europe now and our dog goes with us pretty much everywhere, but we're still nervous about having her on plane.<BR>BTilke (Brussels)

Wow! I wasn't expecting such an informative reply so soon- thanks BTilke! I should have mentioned our dog is a 65lb German Shepherd. She would definately have to go into cargo. I'm pleased there is no quarantine, though I'd also be nervous about her on the plane. I know France is a very dog-friendly place- when we were in Paris, we saw lots of German Shepherds, which gave us the idea of bringing ours along with us for a long-term vacation some day. It's nice to know that if we wanted to, we could. Thanks again!

For goodness sake leave the poor thing at home; you've no idea what stresses the pooch goes through on a flight like that.<BR><BR>Is it you that cannot bear to be away from the dog or do you feel kennels are not good enough?

get a dog/housesitter. It will probably cost less than taking your pet with you, and is infinately kinder. plus your house is not empty for a long period of time.

BTilke - agree it would be great to have your dog with you, but think it probably is better to leave them home. We flew several times with our yellow lab (domestic) and he was fine, but just alot of worry during travel. A friend who is a pilot said there are procedures for pressurizaton problems (and no I don't mean the door blowing open like an airport horror flick) that involve reducing airflow to the baggage area. <BR><BR>All in all, it would probably be fine, but we opted not to take the chance anymore. Plus, given how dogs are such creatures of habit, they probably are happier just settled in at home with a sitter.

We take our dog with us all over Europe, but we are driving, not flying. And she has a great time, because we live in a large city and most of our vacations are to places in the country (like the Steiermark in Austria) where she can enjoy long hikes, etc. We leave Saturday morning for a week of specialized obedience training in Austria with other dogs of the same breed.

No, I would never put my dog in a kennel for a whole month. When we leave her it's with family, people she's familiar with. But I am interested in people's experiences re: flying with their dogs because I am concerned it would be cruel. But obviously it sometimes turns out fine. I would only consider it for long term vacations where we stay in one place.<BR> It's not really an issue for me right now, anyway. I was just curious for future reference.

I forgot to mention that flying in cargo with our dog on the flight from SF to Paris were two 15 year old whippets, one of them blind. They came through fine.

I'm probably going to get seriously abused for this, but..<BR><BR>Personally, I would be absolutely livid if an airline let a dog (or a cat, for that matter) in the cabin. Apart from the fact I'm scared of dogs and am a nervous flyer, there's a practical point - where does it "go"? I wouldn't put my pet in the hold, either - too much risk of decompression or cold. Leave it at home.

In reponse to where they "go", dogs can go 8-9 hours just fine, somtimes longer. Its not that they're forced to, they just can. And as far as having them in the cabin, they're supposed to stay in their carrier.

Keith,there have probably been cats on your flights and you have not even known about it.It isn't like they allow them to run loose on the plane!<BR>They are in small carriers,under the seat.They have special pads that go in the carriers in case they need to go to the bathroom,although,most cats and small dogs do hold it until they are in a more familiar spot to go in,as NOT in the cage they are in!<BR>Relax,enjoy the flight and let others do the same,even with their beloved pets.

Keith - take a pill. I've flown with our dog in the cabin several times. they're kept in the carrier, although the flight attendants didn't mind if I kept it unzipped so I could give him a scratch now and then. I don't see much difference between pets in the cabin and people who fly with their screaming kids and don't think twice about it (at least the pets are confined).<BR><BR>We sit in first, so you must not have seen us from your coach seat by the bathroom.

Now now,b,don't be so bitchy!<BR>

I have never understood why people are scared of dogs. I have been hurt - physically - more by other human beings than by a dog during my life. Many people who are scared think that the dog is going to pick them out specifically to attack. My dog is more interested in a hamburger than you keith......

I also think small animals in carriers are fine, and I'm sure most people don't even notice they're there, but people shouldn't be berated for a fear of dogs. It's like being afraid of bugs or heights or tight spaces- can't necessarily control it. Our black and cream G.Shepherd is very sweet, gentle, and calm, but when we take her out, people clear a wide path! They're afraid of her, if not dogs in general than G. Shepherds in particular. The thing is, she loves meeting people, other dogs, being in a new environment, she's very friendly and sociable. Which is why, if the flight isn't too bad, I think she'd have a great time vacationing with us some day, especially in France. Sorry to be rambling on about nothing, sounds like a personal add for my dog- very friendly, loves meeting new people, taking long walks on the beach....seesh.

Pup is a brown Standard Poodle and while most people think he is just a big furry stuffed toy,there are still those who steer clear of him! <BR>I feel terrible for those who are afraid of dogs.I have always had dogs or been around them and love them.I think a person is missing out on something not to have at least the comfort of being able to pet someone elses dog.<BR> And I would never scorn someone who is afraid of dogs.<BR>I don't like spiders.THank God they don't bring them on airplanes

We have two Wheaten terriers at 45 lbs. so they would have to go in cargo. We flew our older dog as a puppy and he got off the plane terrified and soaking wet. It was only a 1 1/2 hour flight. We'll never do that again. We leave them at the kennel now under the supervision of a vet and don't travel for more than two weeks. We have already decided that our next dog will be under 15 lbs. to fly in one of those sherpa soft bags under the seat in front of me. My husband flew next to a chihuahua for four hours and didn't even know he was there until we recognized the people in the rent a car line and saw the little dog. The worse thing about traveling for me is not to have the dogs with us.

inky, dinky doo, boo, you doo-fus. booooring too.

no no That is<BR>Inky Dinky Doo Doo!<BR>You are Stupid & Boring tooo tooo!