Motorhoming in Europe with Your Dog

These are the steps you should take:

Think of the Dog

For a while, forget everything ‘admin’ or organisational around the issue of taking your dog abroad – it’s important to put the dog right at the centre of your thinking. Consider what the dog’s needs will be throughout the journey. Some dogs are really good travellers and will happily sit in the back or the boot of your car, but they may only have been on relatively short trips and are not used to much longer distances. You should always take a favourite blanket or toy, as something familiar that they know the smell of will help a dog settle.

Make a list of things you need for the dog before you set off – things like feeding bowls, toys, poo bags, lead, etc. As a side note, here, it’s not legal to take meat-based dog food out of the country. In addition, you should think about how your dog is going to travel. It’s not a good idea to allow them to roam free, as it’s dangerous all round. Make regular stops along the way so that the dog can have a walk about (and can go to the loo).

Think, too, about the environment you will be taking the dog to, and any steps you can take to ensure that this is safe. Going from the UK to the heat of the south of France, for instance, could be ‘a bit much’ for the dog, so research the weather in advance and check out the RSPCA website, which offers a helpful guide on welfare. There is even a section specifically on the signs and effects of heatstroke.

Health Rules and Responsibilities

here are different rules on taking a dog in a motorhome in an EU country than there are for taking it into a country outside of the EU. If you are travelling with your dog in your motorhome to an EU country (or into Northern Ireland), you will need various things for your dog. These include a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination (these must be up to date and done at least 21 days before you travel), an animal health certificate or valid pet passport. You must also double-check whether the individual requirements of each country you intend to visit go beyond this list (for instance, you must keep a dog on a lead at all times during shooting season in Finland).

The dog must also have been treated for tapeworm. If you’re going out of the UK, the dog must be tapeworm treated by a vet before you go, and you must wait 24 hours before re-entering the country. You also must return within 120 hours (five days) or you’ll need to get the dog seen by a vet abroad for another tapeworm treatment (this will be recorded in the dog’s passport or health certificate). Within four weeks of returning home to the UK you must get your dog treated again. Under current regulations this tapeworm treatment isn’t necessary if you’re coming directly from Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Malta or Norway.

At the domestic level, you should think about how you are going to keep your dog clean and tidy while you are on your holiday. If your motorhome has an external shower, then that is perfect for cleaning off your beast after a day of rolling around in the sand or getting dirty in some muddy forest. Motorhomes with garages also provide a great space in which you can clean up your dog, as they are tucked away from the interior of the motorhome, so your furry friend isn’t going to make a mess of the upholstery in the living quarters!

When you go on holiday, the main aim is usually to indulge in some serious rest and relaxation, and it’s great if the family dog can be a big part of this time away from the strains of normal domestic life. However, remember that your dog thrives on routines and will be looking to you to ‘set the tone’ – so don’t skimp on their usual meal times and their usual walk and exercise times. Keep a thought for the dog’s welfare and you shouldn’t have any problems taking them abroad. Happy travels!