Impressed with Eurotunnel for dogs

We've just come back from our week in Normandy and I have to say how impressed I was with Eurotunnel's dog facilities.

On the UK side, they have an enclosed agility course and a separate enclosed area specifically for bitches (no boys allowed!), both on fake grass, and a decent sized open grass area to walk about.

On the French side, the pet check has changed since we last did it (we went on the ferry last year). There's a completely separate car park for the pet check area, again with an enclosed exercise area. You go into the building for the paperwork - they check the passports then hand you the scanner so you do that. I asked what would happen if you had a dog that wasn't good with other dogs that you didn't want to bring in and they said you'd leave it outside while you do the passports, then they open up round the back and you would take your dog round there away from the others. There were 'drive through' lanes so that might be what they mean.

It really couldn't have been done better for owners and for the dogs. And there's a sign as you leave saying 'have a pawsome day!'

Best holiday EVER (as my friend Koda would say).

Oh that is awesome!! I love things that truly are dog friendly!

PS Koda is so impressed being mentioned

That sounds really good!! And much more Bug friendly... What about when you actually board? Is it busy?

I asked with Bug in mind

With the Tunnel, it's no different to being in the car otherwise for the dogs. You have maybe some waiting but then you just drive straight on and sit there till you get to the other end, then drive off again. The only thing that might upset Bug would be if people walk past the car, which happens occasionally as they go to the loo or whatever.

I thought of Bug during the holiday, it would have been great for her. During the whole week we barely saw another dog on our walks and passed a couple in gardens. We did see other dogs when we went into Dieppe, which we expected. It would, though, be possible to plan walks that you would see very few, if any.

Aw Liz thank you for keeping us in mind!! That's so helpful.. We would love to take her somewhere
, it's just been fear of the unknown which is problematic with a fearful dog!

And another question, are they as fussy as I have heard about breed etc? Obviously your guys are both crosses without papers, was anything questioned?

The vet we saw last time did say something about being careful but we've not had a problem at all. Even walking round Dieppe, where we saw plenty of people, no one said anything, not even funny looks.

I guess that's the only part of the process where you'd have to think it through and maybe make some arrangement, as a vet does have to briefly examine the dog to certify that they are well and fit to travel, and to give them the tapeworm tablet. How is Bug with strange vets, are lady vets better?

That's great to know! Sounds like you guys have had a great time!! She is usually okay with vet handling - she does tend to shut down, which is horrible, but she has only had one incident with a vet (who was terrified of her and basically assessed her from the other side of the room, before almost breaking a needle in her neck due to rushing her vaccination). She loves my current male vet, but he was a safari vet in South Africa - we had been declined by other vets and when I told him we had a fear aggressive Staffie he laughed and said "well, she's not a lion is she" she really liked him from day one!

Thanks so much for posting about this. I am always so frightened by the thought that I'd get to France and they'd arrest my dog for being the wrong race.

Are you tempted then?

One thing about France is that it is much less crowded then the UK. If you do your research and pick an area with lots of walks away from honey pots, you are much less likely to come across any people at all, never mind those who think every bull breed should be destroyed at birth. There you're more likely to get the old Gallic shrug of the shoulders.

I am emboldened, definitely. I want to drive down to the South of France at some point or take the train and change in Paris. It would be 100x better if I could take my dog.

We are hoping to book a pet friendly vacation from UK to France this summer. Has anyone had any issues taking their Staffie across via Eurotunnel recently? Would like advice and tips for Staffie travel please. Thanks in advance.
Staffiefamily

I took my girls over a couple of years ago, no problem at all.
You just have to make sure their passports are up to date with rabies vaccinations and tapeworm treatment I think it was less than 48 or 72 hours for return to UK. Therefore you might need to find a local french vet if your trip is longer than a few days.

Staffies with KC papers are not subject to BSL in France.

Nifty staffy wrote:I took my girls over a couple of years ago, no problem at all.
You just have to make sure their passports are up to date with rabies vaccinations and tapeworm treatment I think it was less than 48 or 72 hours for return to UK. Therefore you might need to find a local french vet if your trip is longer than a few days.

Staffies with KC papers are not subject to BSL in France.

Of course, be aware that the pet passport laws have changed, so make sure you know what you need.