Touring Europe on four legs

***image1***They may be man’s best friend, but when it comes to travel, dogs are often seen as more of a burden than a buddy.

Instead of accompanying their masters to faraway places, they habitually spend their vacations at a boarding kennel or with a dog sitter. But you don’t have to leave your pet behind to explore Europe. Look around and you are likely to find dogs in restaurants, on trains or on the beach.

Most countries here are very dog friendly, and taking furry friends along may
actually be easier than trying to find a place for them to stay behind.

Yvonne Schulmeyer runs a travel agency that specializes in vacationing with dogs, called “Hunde im Urlaub” (dogs on vacation). She finds hotels and vacation homes that allow pets, as well as organized trips for dog owners that feature specials such as dog hiking tours or integrated pet sitting services during cultural explorations where dogs may not be allowed.

Ms. Schulmeyer and her own two dogs have traveled to many European countries to test the places she recommends. Their experiences have been mostly positive.

Denmark, Norway and Sweden are exceptionally dog friendly, she said. Finding accommodations that allow dogs is easy, and dogs are generally allowed to roam on the beaches.

“Taking your dog for a several-hour walk along the water is no problem here,” she said.

Germany usually restricts its beaches during the main travel season in July and August. During that time, dog owners are asked to seek out specially designated beaches where their pets may roam and play.

Eastern Europe is also rather dog friendly, but a different attitude toward the animals as primarily working and guard dogs there may rub some westerners the wrong way, Ms. Schulmeyer said.

Croatia is also a good destination for traveling with dogs, she added.

In southern Europe, dog owners may have more difficulty finding dog-friendly hotels, and beaches often forbid dogs in the water or do not permit them at all. Unlike in the northern countries, restaurants in the south usually limit dogs to outside patios, if they tolerate them at all.

A tricky country is the Netherlands, Ms. Schulmeyer said.

Although the people there are very friendly toward dogs, the law is not.

“The Dutch confiscate anything that even resembles a fighting dog,” she said.

Although this designation usually applies only to breeds such as pit bulls and Staffordshire Terriers, Ms. Schulmeyer cautioned that any dog that is
muscular or has a wide head, even a Rottweiler or Labrador, may be in
danger.

People should only take those dogs along if they have papers from the European FCI, the equi-valent of the American Kennel Club. When booking a hotel, travelers need to announce their intention to bring along a dog in advance, even if the hotel says it allows dogs. If the hotel’s Web site doesn’t state whether dogs are allowed, people should call and ask before making a reservation.

For any travel abroad, dogs need to have a microchip implant. That chip needs to adhere to the European standard, otherwise the owner needs to take along a proper chip scanner. 

Dogs also have to have a current rabies vaccination that needs to be noted in an EU pet passport, which is available at any German vet. Although rabies is the only required vaccine for entering a European country, there may be other suggested vaccines to protect pets from foreign viruses, so it is worth checking with a
veterinarian. For details on entrance requirements, such as antibody tests to avoid quarantine in the United Kingdom or Sweden, visit the Web site at http://europa.eu.
 
When traveling, Ms. Schulmeyer advises taking the car over other means.

“I wouldn’t recommend train trips or plane rides for dogs,” she said.

Not only do those carriers usually impose additional restrictions, but they can also put extra stress on the dog.

Germany’s law requires dogs in cars to be secured in either a kennel or with a seatbelt or safety net. If a dog gets car sick, withholding food before the trip may help, Ms. Schulmeyer said.

Plan on making a stop at least every three hours and give the dog plenty of water. Older or sick dogs should be checked by a vet before going on any trip.

Generally, however, Ms. Schulmeyer said people need to remember one thing: “For most dogs, staying at a kennel is more stressful than a four or five hour car ride.”