Taking the dog is usually the better holiday and always the more complicated one. Here is the part that matters, in the order you need it.
Documents first — this is the bit that stops trips
Rules differ by country and change, so check the official government guidance for your route before you book anything. In broad terms, moving a dog between European countries generally involves a microchip, a rabies vaccination given after the chip, and travel documentation issued by a vet.
Two things people get caught out by: the rabies vaccination usually has a waiting period before travel is allowed, and vet-issued travel paperwork often has to be obtained within a set number of days before departure. Both mean this is a several-weeks-ahead job, not a week-before job.
The collar and lead setup that works away from home
A new place means unfamiliar smells, other dogs, and a higher chance your dog bolts. The kit matters more than at home.
- Fit, checked again. Two fingers flat between collar and neck. If your dog has shed a summer coat since you last checked, the collar is now looser than you think.
- An ID tag with your mobile number on it — the number you will actually have with you abroad.
- A lead you can hold one-handed while carrying a bag, a coffee and a passport.
Our handmade dog collars are made from marine rope, which matters on holiday for an unglamorous reason: it gets wet, dries out, and stays strong. Sea, lake, rain, all fine — just rinse the salt out afterwards or it dries abrasive. Sizing and the fit rule are in the dog collar sizing guide. Matching leads and accessories are in the same range.
Car, train, plane
- Car. Restraint is a legal requirement in several European countries. Stop every couple of hours. Never leave the dog in a parked car in summer.
- Train. Most European operators take dogs, often with a ticket and sometimes with a muzzle requirement. Check the specific operator, not a general guide.
- Plane. Rules vary enormously by airline and by whether the dog travels in cabin or hold. Book this before you book anything else.
What to pack
Food from home for the whole trip — changing food and changing country at once is how you get a bad first night. Bowls, a familiar blanket or bed that smells right, poo bags in more places than you think you need them, a towel, and any medication with a bit of margin.
When you arrive
Walk the immediate area first, on the lead, before anything else. Let the dog map the place. Then find the nearest vet and save the number — you will almost certainly not need it, and you will be very glad to have it if you do.
The short version
Start the paperwork weeks early, re-check the collar fit, bring the food from home, and save a local vet number on arrival.
See our handmade dog collars and dog accessories. Free shipping over €150.
This is general guidance, not veterinary or legal advice. Always check current official rules for your route and speak to your vet.
