Finally a sunny day

Bizziebe, you need to check that everything matches with the information. My friend went to get on a ferry and the vet had inadvertently transposed some numbers on the vaccination certificate and she wasn't allowed to travel. She had to go back to get it put right and then travel a week later.

At £300 for the travel certificate, mine had better be absolutely right! 🤞

I think it would be better to find someone who can look after your pet for you, a home from home. Since Brexit there isn't a pet passport so you have to get a certificate for travel each time you want to go abroad and unless everything is done absolutely right, you will not be able to board the Ferry/train, etc.

I take my dog on the ferry to Northern France every year. He loves being in the car and he stays in the car overnight whilst we are on the ferry. We have plenty of stops whilst driving.

I’d find someone I trust to look after him and go x

The only way I would have taken a dog abroad would have been by car with frequent stops. A campervan would be even better.

Not so much in the South West yesterday.

The only successful way we took a dog abroad was when we had a motorhome for several years. It was still slightly stressful for our pooch, in that on the overnight ferry, she had to be put in a cage in a special area for pets, although we had a key which permitted us to visit her. We wouldn't have bothered if it had just been for a holiday of 2 weeks or so, but as we had a holiday home in the Algarve, and spent the whole Summer out there, this was the preferred solution. Do you have a family member or a good friend who would take your dog for a month? Also bear in mind that dog-friendly accommodation may not be as readily available on the continent, and even when it is, you'd need to book early.

Can I ask, How do you cope with going to the restaurant during the long crossing? I don't want to leave the dog alone in the cabin, but want to eat and visit the shops on board.

We take our dog to Spain twice a year. We usually travel on the ship to Santander in a dog friendly cabin. Our nervous dog is fine and there is an exercise area on the deck. I think the train would be fine from there or even a flight and then a taxi.
Our last crossing was in a force 9 gale and even that didn't seem to bother the dog.
However you have to book very early and be lucky to get a dog cabin as they are limited on board. Personally, I wouldn't put my dog in the on board kennels, I would rather drive through France and Spain.

We don’t take our dog abroad, and in fact at the moment we have halted our trips abroad as our dog at 14 is too old to be left with relatives, as he has so many peculiar ways and would drive them mad.

But, he comes on holiday with us and absolutely loves holidays. He knows the routine, and as soon as his holiday bed is put into the car on which he lies he gets so excited. The first morning he always wakes incredibly early hoping to get out and explore his new surroundings, after which he is usually so knackered he is happy to sleep later. Going to Cornwall (home) in a week or so time.

You could have a trial run in this country? What about a holiday cottage, using ferry, bus and train?

See how it goes. I agree it may be stressful for you and partner- as well as the dog, to travel so far initially. The dog is still young, and some breeds can still be quite puppyish even at 3.

Not sure about dogs as we are cat people but so glad to have sun and a bit warmth. First evening we have not had heating on at some point. I suppose taking a dog abroad would depend on how the dog behaves if transported locally.

I'm not surprised you fancy travelling to warmer climes next year. It has been a long old winter and we have yet to see the sunshine properly.

I am about to take our new (ish) dog on the ferry this month for the first time. I have no idea how he will get on, but nothing ventured nothing gained. Our previous dogs used to be fine.
I was also a frequent flyer with Air France and during the flight they allowed the animal to sit in its carrier on your lap for a chat and a treat through the bars! even though you were supposed to keep it at your feet!

I would not take a dog abroad. I agree with Hetty58

Has the dog been trained in travel? I made a habit of taking mine in cars, on buses, trains and ferries as a puppy - but no, she was always a bundle of anxiety - and often sick - so that didn't work. Her pet passport wasn't used.

She'd be far happier at home, with a family member staying, if I had to be away.

I couldn’t take a dog abroad as I think the journey, by any mode of transport, would not be something an animal will like.

They do not know when or if the journey will end which must be stressful. I would also worry that the upset could cause the dog to run off never to be found.

It would mean I would not be able to relax and if the dog had an unhappy journey there then would also dread the return journey.