Old Dog Question

[Pirahna]

I'm in sunny Ireland at the moment, booked to return to Spain on April 5th. My dad passed away last Friday, my sister and I have been busy getting stuff sorted out but I can't find a home for the dog. She's a 17 year old sheep dog type thing, all she needs is somewhere outside to go to the toilet, food and water. She sleeps a lot and occasionaly goes for a walk around the garden.

The question is, how feasible is it to take the hound on a long journey without killing her? It's a 4 hour drive to the ferry, 28 hours on the boat then an 8 hour drive at the other end. The only time she's ever worn a collar is for a couple of trips to the vet.

[wheelnut]

It’s difficult to say - we’ve got a dachshund that absolutely loves going in the car and has happily done 12 hr days travelling with us.

The BiL has a cocker poo thing and that shakes like mad when he gets in the car.

He’ll be ok though I would imagine. Plenty water and comfort stops for him.

[Sadlonelygit]

Its not the time spent travelling, its how the dog reacts.
Current hound would spend every minute in the moho if she could.
Last one had a hour tolerance and would clamber into the footwell and huff a lot.
One before that had to be dragged into a vehicle, but happy as Larry once we got somewhere.
You know the dog, make the call!
I wouldn't do portsmouth-spain though, short hop over the la manche and plenty of stops going south.
We're 7 hours from Caen and more than welcome to spend a night!

[Pirahna]

Its not the time spent travelling, its how the dog reacts.
Current hound would spend every minute in the moho if she could.
Last one had a hour tolerance and would clamber into the footwell and huff a lot.
One before that had to be dragged into a vehicle, but happy as Larry once we got somewhere.
You know the dog, make the call!
I wouldn't do portsmouth-spain though, short hop over the la manche and plenty of stops going south.
We're 7 hours from Caen and more than welcome to spend a night!

I've never seen the dog get into a car before, I'll try it and see what happens. I'm in Ireland so the ferry is Roslare to Bilbao.

[Buckaroo]

First off, you're doing a wonderful thing!!

I initially thought you were going to rehome it.

So, our dog is a rescue and had / has a good few anxieties. Our vet provides us with a mild sedative, calming tablet for times when our girl will get more anxious than normal. It doesn't turn her into a zombie dog, but enables her to cope.

That would be my recommendation.

Once again, good on you

[Yorick]

We always left our dog in car/camper on shorter crossings.

[Skub]

Condolences on the loss of your Dad,it's been a long road. I grew to hate the clearing out,but needs must.

[Sadlonelygit]

Its not the time spent travelling, its how the dog reacts.
Current hound would spend every minute in the moho if she could.
Last one had a hour tolerance and would clamber into the footwell and huff a lot.
One before that had to be dragged into a vehicle, but happy as Larry once we got somewhere.
You know the dog, make the call!
I wouldn't do portsmouth-spain though, short hop over the la manche and plenty of stops going south.
We're 7 hours from Caen and more than welcome to spend a night!

I've never seen the dog get into a car before, I'll try it and see what happens. I'm in Ireland so the ferry is Roslare to Bilbao.

28hrs is too long on a ferry for me, let alone a dog!
Do they insist on a dog cabin or are you allowed visits and pee breaks up top?

[Felix]

Most ferries i was on with the dog it was in kennels and you could go down and visit anytime as long as the kennels were not down a car deck. DFDS was a shipping container converted into kennels on the car deck but that was changed to another area with open kennels to allow you 24 hour access. They were introducing pet friendly rooms so you ferry may offer this but where in Ireland are you? North it will be a ball ache getting a passport and cost around £200 the last time i looked into it. South may just be a case of rabies injection and a bit paper work but will the poor dog cope with the heat at the other end?

[Pirahna]

Its not the time spent travelling, its how the dog reacts.
Current hound would spend every minute in the moho if she could.
Last one had a hour tolerance and would clamber into the footwell and huff a lot.
One before that had to be dragged into a vehicle, but happy as Larry once we got somewhere.
You know the dog, make the call!
I wouldn't do portsmouth-spain though, short hop over the la manche and plenty of stops going south.
We're 7 hours from Caen and more than welcome to spend a night!

I've never seen the dog get into a car before, I'll try it and see what happens. I'm in Ireland so the ferry is Roslare to Bilbao.

28hrs is too long on a ferry for me, let alone a dog!
Do they insist on a dog cabin or are you allowed visits and pee breaks up top?

The ferry has cabins for people with dogs and a small outside area where they can do toilet stuff and get fresh air. I've seen people with dogs on there but not paid any attention, I never considered it would be an option for me. The long ferry really is the sensible option.

[Pirahna]

South may just be a case of rabies injection and a bit paper work but will the poor dog cope with the heat at the other end?

I'm in the south, I think a pet passport is needed. The heat can be a total bastard in the summer which is a worry. It's not like Yorick strolling around the beach in the Canaries, daytime can be in the low to mid 40's, night time in the high 20's. It's a bit different from an Irish climate.

[Felix]

South may just be a case of rabies injection and a bit paper work but will the poor dog cope with the heat at the other end?

I'm in the south, I think a pet passport is needed. The heat can be a total bastard in the summer which is a worry. It's not like Yorick strolling around the beach in the Canaries, daytime can be in the low to mid 40's, night time in the high 20's. It's a bit different from an Irish climate.

What i mean is its a Euro dog so should be able to stay in Euroland, with a passport where us more civilised people outside Euroland are limited to 90 days. TBH if it was me i would take it. I could not bear to leave it with strangers. Poor thing is a family member. No chance of changing your return to driving? At least you could keep an eye on the dog with plenty stops for food and water and stretch its legs.

[Pirahna]

South may just be a case of rabies injection and a bit paper work but will the poor dog cope with the heat at the other end?

I'm in the south, I think a pet passport is needed. The heat can be a total bastard in the summer which is a worry. It's not like Yorick strolling around the beach in the Canaries, daytime can be in the low to mid 40's, night time in the high 20's. It's a bit different from an Irish climate.

What i mean is its a Euro dog so should be able to stay in Euroland, with a passport where us more civilised people outside Euroland are limited to 90 days. TBH if it was me i would take it. I could not bear to leave it with strangers. Poor thing is a family member. No chance of changing your return to driving? At least you could keep an eye on the dog with plenty stops for food and water and stretch its legs.

I am driving, the ferry is already booked, I just need to change the booking to a dog friendly crossing. The more I think about the more I think I'll do it, I visit the vet on Tuesday (bank holiday here Monday) to see what he has to say about it and get the ball rolling.

[Felix]

I'm in the south, I think a pet passport is needed. The heat can be a total bastard in the summer which is a worry. It's not like Yorick strolling around the beach in the Canaries, daytime can be in the low to mid 40's, night time in the high 20's. It's a bit different from an Irish climate.

What i mean is its a Euro dog so should be able to stay in Euroland, with a passport where us more civilised people outside Euroland are limited to 90 days. TBH if it was me i would take it. I could not bear to leave it with strangers. Poor thing is a family member. No chance of changing your return to driving? At least you could keep an eye on the dog with plenty stops for food and water and stretch its legs.

I am driving, the ferry is already booked, I just need to change the booking to a dog friendly crossing. The more I think about the more I think I'll do it, I visit the vet on Tuesday (bank holiday here Monday) to see what he has to say about it and get the ball rolling.

Did you buy that house in the sticks you put pictures up a few years back. That looked like it had good shade areas with cooler tiled floors and a fence so the dog cant roam to far. As long as he/she had good access to fresh cool water all day i think he will adapt. Expect a lot of panting.

[Pirahna]

What i mean is its a Euro dog so should be able to stay in Euroland, with a passport where us more civilised people outside Euroland are limited to 90 days. TBH if it was me i would take it. I could not bear to leave it with strangers. Poor thing is a family member. No chance of changing your return to driving? At least you could keep an eye on the dog with plenty stops for food and water and stretch its legs.

I am driving, the ferry is already booked, I just need to change the booking to a dog friendly crossing. The more I think about the more I think I'll do it, I visit the vet on Tuesday (bank holiday here Monday) to see what he has to say about it and get the ball rolling.

Did you buy that house in the sticks you put pictures up a few years back. That looked like it had good shade areas with cooler tiled floors and a fence so the dog cant roam to far. As long as he/she had good access to fresh cool water all day i think he will adapt. Expect a lot of panting.

I did buy that house. It's a fenced in compound so she'll be safe, she wouldn't go too far if she did get out. There is plenty of shade and I could make it so she has a place to walk up to the door without burning paws in the summer. I think it could work. I'd definitely need some grooming shears, she's very hairy.

[Felix]

I'd definitely need some grooming shears, she's very hairy.

We inherited a shih tzu. Its a wee tramp but the 1st dog we have ever had what need groomed every few month. Wife bought the clippers out Aldi, watched a few videos on youtube and away she went. First few times the dog was embarrassed to go out but now after two years she it pretty bloody good at it.

[Yorick]

Its not the time spent travelling, its how the dog reacts.
Current hound would spend every minute in the moho if she could.
Last one had a hour tolerance and would clamber into the footwell and huff a lot.
One before that had to be dragged into a vehicle, but happy as Larry once we got somewhere.
You know the dog, make the call!
I wouldn't do portsmouth-spain though, short hop over the la manche and plenty of stops going south.
We're 7 hours from Caen and more than welcome to spend a night!

I've never seen the dog get into a car before, I'll try it and see what happens. I'm in Ireland so the ferry is Roslare to Bilbao.

28hrs is too long on a ferry for me, let alone a dog!
Do they insist on a dog cabin or are you allowed visits and pee breaks up top?

Which sailing?

A lot have dog friendly cabins. Or the kernels allow lots of visits

[Bigjawa]

I'm in the south, I think a pet passport is needed. The heat can be a total bastard in the summer which is a worry. It's not like Yorick strolling around the beach in the Canaries, daytime can be in the low to mid 40's, night time in the high 20's. It's a bit different from an Irish climate.

What i mean is its a Euro dog so should be able to stay in Euroland, with a passport where us more civilised people outside Euroland are limited to 90 days. TBH if it was me i would take it. I could not bear to leave it with strangers. Poor thing is a family member. No chance of changing your return to driving? At least you could keep an eye on the dog with plenty stops for food and water and stretch its legs.

I am driving, the ferry is already booked, I just need to change the booking to a dog friendly crossing. The more I think about the more I think I'll do it, I visit the vet on Tuesday (bank holiday here Monday) to see what he has to say about it and get the ball rolling.

Can you take the dog out of the EU (Ireland) to the UK, then back into the EU without a loaf of hassle?

One of my dogs is originally from Wexford, I suppose you could say she was technically smuggled up here.

[Yorick]

Just remembered. On Cadiz to here, the dog kennels are air conditioned with live cameras.
All about 1 metre cubed.
All calming and lots of walkies around the ship

[Pirahna]

Can you take the dog out of the EU (Ireland) to the UK, then back into the EU without a loaf of hassle?

One of my dogs is originally from Wexford, I suppose you could say she was technically smuggled up here.

This will be a one way trip for the hound, from Ireland to Spain where she'll hopefully live a few more years. She'll be 17 in May, her mum lived to 20. From a litter of 4 she still has a brother alive. A sister died last year, another sister died from heart problems when she about 10. Her mother belonged to my uncle who lives about 100 yards away, she hasn't exactly travelled extensively. The furthest she's been is 2 trips to the vet around 2 miles away.

These days my understanding is that if you go via the UK then it adds extra checks, paperwork and cost.