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First UK trip with dog


Mac
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This year we will go back to the UK with our dog for the first time. She has an up to date passport and I know that she has to be wormed and treated for ticks ect at the vet between 1-5 days before we travel(by the way does that apply for the return journey as we away for about 2 weeks?) I wondered if anyone had tips for making the journey comfortable for our dog. We will probably take a longer crossing (Le Havre-Portsmouth) otherwise the driving would be very long.Thanks
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You will only need the worm treatment.  The Le Harve crossing in ok - we usually use Brittany Ferries but the last time OH used LD lines. The crossing to the UK is late afternoon and takes around 6 hrs, but the return is overnight taking 8hrs. With LD lines you can, if you make arrangements first, visit you pet during the sailing.  Our dog travels really well on the overnight crossing - a time when she's usually asleep. We do drape a travel rug over the back window of the car to cut out the bright lights on deck.
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For an overnight crossing aren't the dogs put in kennels, ours always was on the Zeebrugge / Hull crossing.

 

 

The hardest thing for us was finding somewhere for her to do whatever she needed to do before getting on board as ours somehow needed grass.

 

 

Which ever way we did it we had a very long journey, S E France to N E England. Regular stops and a good walk each time we stopped, good for us, good for her. She was fine travelling.

 

 

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On Brittany Ferries & LD lines the dog stays in the car. I believe BF do have a few 'pet friendly' cabins on one of their ships.

BF insist on a muzzle at Caen - can't say for other ports as only ever used this one.  LD lines at Le Harve ignored it.  From the UK to France not required, at least from our experience they don't even check the chip.

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We once had all our paperwork and chip checked at Dover on our way back to France.

We have also had it checked when we arrived in the UK.

One can never tell who'll do what when. Have everything with you and en regle.

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[quote user="JeanS"]

BF insist on a muzzle at Caen - can't say for other ports as only ever used this one.  LD lines at Le Harve ignored it.  From the UK to France not required, at least from our experience they don't even check the chip.

[/quote]

From BF site:

Does my dog need a muzzle when travelling?

Please note that dogs are now required to wear muzzles (all routes) at all times they are outside the owner's vehicle, either during the check-in process or during transfer on board if occupying a kennel.  Owners must provide the muzzles and remain responsible for their pet's behaviour at all times.

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Have travelled regularly with dogs on all routes (LD, Tunnel, DFDS)except BF and they have never needed muzzle. In fact the dogs have never even got out of the car. The check in assistant always hands us the microchip reader and we scan the dogs on the French side only. Travelling from Le Havre if you take the next exit (rather than the ferry port) off the final roundabout and go along the river there is a park along side - after the big shopping centre - where you can walk the dog prior to embarkment. Use LD Lines often and there are usually quite a few dogs, none ever seem anxious or distressed by the journey. Provided the dog is used to travelling in the car he'll be OK.
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