To make the vacation as stress-free as possible for the dog, dog owners should first choose their means of transport carefully. ÖAMTC tourism expert Kristina Tauer has summarized the most important tips.
Means of transport, entry requirements and rules of conduct – what dog owners should pay attention to
Car
The car should be the preferred means of transport when traveling with a dog, as breaks can be taken individually. However, trips during the midday heat or on classic traffic jam days should be avoided. In addition, the dog must be secured in the vehicle using travel crates or special seat belts and must never be left alone.
Train
“If the dog is used to train travel, there is nothing against a train journey. However, one should avoid peak travel times, plan several stops, have a water bowl with you, and inform yourself in advance about the respective transport regulations and fares of the railway companies,” recommends the club expert.
Airplane
Flying means great stress for dogs. Depending on their weight, they are transported in the passenger cabin or in the heated cargo hold. The airline provides information on transport regulations.
Pet passport is a must on all trips abroad
Dog owners must provide various proofs of their four-legged friend's health.
Pet passport and tapeworm treatment
For all trips abroad, including to non-EU countries, the EU pet passport is required, which confirms the rabies vaccination and microchip identification. Ireland, Great Britain, and Malta also specify how long before the trip the vaccination must have taken place. “These three countries – just like Finland and Norway – also require proof of tapeworm treatment. This must be carried out one to five days before entry,” adds Tauer.
Rabies antibody test
If you are traveling with your dog to Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, or Ukraine, a blood test for rabies antibodies is mandatory before departure. Otherwise, the return trip to the EU can be problematic. The ÖAMTC therefore advises contacting your veterinarian in good time.
Health certificate
Even if you are only in transit, you must present an official veterinary health certificate in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey. This must not be older than ten days.
Fighting dogs
The ÖAMTC tourism expert warns: “There are strict regulations for fighting dogs such as Pit Bull Terriers or Staffordshire Bull Terriers. Germany, France, Great Britain, Denmark, and Norway, for example, have special regulations or prohibit entry with fighting dogs altogether.”
Observe local rules of conduct
Once you have arrived safely at your vacation destination with your dog, you must adhere to some basic rules, depending on the country.
Restaurants
“ÖAMTC members report that restaurants in Finland, Norway, and Sweden are not particularly dog-friendly,” explains Tauer.
Leash and muzzle
In many countries, dogs must wear a leash and muzzle in public places. This is the case, for example, in Italy, Croatia, and Portugal.
Beaches
In Croatia and Portugal, dogs are banned from many public beaches; in Hungary, taking dogs to beach resorts is rarely allowed. In some countries – such as Croatia – there are designated dog beaches where four-legged friends can also have fun.
All entry requirements for animals in the respective vacation country can be found at www.oeamtc.at/laenderinfo.
When preparing for a trip with your dog, the ÖAMTC travel checklist at www.oeamtc.at/reisecheckliste, which lists all required documents, for example, will help.
Photo by Sabine, meinhaushalt.at
