Taking my dog to Spain - Page 3

Daz wrote on Thu Feb 8, 2024 12:05pm:

Hi Janet 

My wife and I, with 2 dogs travelled from Staffordshire to Quesada last September for our first drive, through the Chunnel 35mins and down to Angers, France which took around 8hrs.Stopped over night in dog friendly hotel, then on to our place in Quesada about 11 hrs drive stopping every 3/4hrs fo...

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...r the dogs and a stretch,nearly 24hrs we arrived and after 3 weeks we travelled back ,took 21 hrs with overnight stay.. 

I wouldn't esitate to do it again as the roads plus scenery were fantastic....Probably September/October when we mover permanently...hope you and your family have a great time...

Jfalcs wrote on Sun Feb 4, 2024 10:11am:

Hi - thank you very much for your reply.  I did look at the ferries and as you said they were all booked.  Beau is 9 so I just don’t know how she will be flying but she’s one of the family so I will keep looking for best way.

Thank you again - Janet

dunelmsteve wrote on Thu Feb 8, 2024 12:31pm:

DO NOT, ever put your dog in an aircraft hold. My wife worked her entire career in aviation. She has told me stories of dogs freezing to death, getting loose on the airport and being put on the wrong flight, among other things. We would never allow our dogs to be transported by air. 

Eamonn wrote on Thu Feb 8, 2024 1:06pm:

All you require is a “Spanish Passport’ for your dog-the rabies injection will be noted in that, as will the tape worm treatment you need each time you return to the UK. 

Do not let your UK vet add anything to the ‘Spanish’ passport.

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Spanish vets are less expensive that UK vets by a long way.

jillyw wrote on Wed Feb 7, 2024 11:32pm:

Your very welcome,  but you will have to get a vet certificate & rabies jab! Can be  expensive! Jill. 

Eamonn wrote on Wed Feb 7, 2024 11:42am:

Euro tunnel is a great way to go as long as you enjoy driving. Also depends what part of Spain you are heading to. Calais to Mazarron for example is @ 1250 miles. You can do it in 2 stops but more enjoyable if you take 3. French hotels are so dog friendly as are the restaurants and bars etc. Toll...

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...s are approx’ £100 each way.

As for your dog, if you have a property in Spain, then get a Spanish passport for your dog-you need to return at least once a year for your dog to have a the booster rabies injection, which needs to be once a year in Spain not 3 years as in the UK.

You do not need to see a British vet upon your return.

Without a passport it will cost you @£200/£250 for a ‘Animal Health Certificate issued by a ‘special’ vet and this only lasts for 4 months.

You do not need to see a British vet upon your return. 

Loriforsythe wrote on Wed Feb 7, 2024 10:54am:

Good morning Janet,

I am living close to Los Alcazares and have a 12 year old staffie. For two years I was travelling with him between Northern Ireland and Spain. I went via Bilbao to Rosslare. On his first journey I bought a mild sedative for him just in case he was anxious. I also bought animal graded hemp oil. I ...

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...didn't need either as he travelled well. He has now made 5 journeys and is very calm. I always book a pet friendly cabin for us. I also stop off at the many services or park areas on the way to give him toilet breaks and exercise.  Doing this my journey usual takes 13 or 14 hours from Bilbao to San Pedro. If you feel this is too long to drive there are many pet friendly hotels along the way.  I have an EU pet passport as we are from N. Ireland, but I would advise you to get one here in Spain as it will make life a lot easier for you. Also staffies are on the Dangerous dog list and need to be registered with the town hall and also be covered by liability insurance for €200k. The insurance part is easy to get as most home insurance companies will cover you staffie on your house insurance. Staffies need to be muzzled at all times and I spent 6 months training my boy to wear it. Also needs to be worn on the ferry. When I was staying a few months at a time I didn't register him as he was on "holiday" so to speak. It was too warm for him to go out for walks from 9am so I walked him at 5am unmuzzled. There was no one about at that time. I carried my insurance and muzzle just in case. The police have driven past me on numerous occasions when he is unmuzzled and I haven't been stopped. I have seen lots of Staffies being walked unmuzzled. The only thing you need to really worry about if walking unmuzzled are the little handbag dogs who are brave enough to snap at your ankles. If your staffie retaliated then you would probably be blamed. Not right I know. I can just assume your pup is like mine. Getting on in years and just the biggest softie ever. Couldn't care about other dogs and just wants to go for a leisurely walk. Now that he lives here he is fully legal, registered and insured. Hope this may help you. 

Lorraine

Jfalcs wrote on Thu Feb 8, 2024 6:58pm:

 Can you please let me know if Staffys have to have a muzzle as I have read all different things on this?

Loriforsythe wrote on Thu Feb 8, 2024 7:11pm:

Yes, Staffies need muzzled at all times  also on the ferry.

Lorraine