Hire boating with your dogHire a boat and bring your dog to France

Dogs are part of the family, aren’t they? So why should they be left behind? Fortunately, all the hire-boat fleets understand the love and attachment that people feel for their pets and you can bring them cruising too; you don’t have to leave them behind! Dogs, and other pets, are welcome on nearly all of the self-drive hire boats in France so don’t hesitate to pack their personal items as well as yours.

French people love dogs in particular and they’re welcome practically anywhere, including in many restaurants. We’ve tied our dog up outside boulangeries whilst we went in and the staff have looked surprised that we bothered. So surprised, indeed, that one kind person gave us a couple of extra croissants just for her – to soothe her feelings.

Dog safety

Dogs and cats love an inland boating life with lots of safe opportunities to explore the canal-side. Labradors and some other breeds also appreciate the permanent opportunity to leap in and swim. The water, especially in locks (ecluses), does represent an obvious hazard though, and pets should always be completely under control in locks, tied-up safely or kept down below and possibly with their life-jackets on.

Make sure that your pet is protected from diseases and that all the entry requirements are met. Read on.

The UK ‘PETS’ Scheme is no longer valid

Post Brexit (from 1 January 2021) this scheme is no longer valid and new rules apply. Briefly:

You can no longer use a pet passport issued in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) for travel to an EU country or Northern Ireland.

Now, when travelling to France, your pet must have:

  • a microchip
  • a valid rabies vaccination
  • an animal health certificate (unless you have a pet passport issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland)
  • These requirements also apply to assistance dogs.

The EU has agreed that Great Britain should be given “part two listed” status, allowing pets to travel within its borders if the owners obtain an animal health certificate (AHC) first.

The AHC confirms that your pet is microchipped and vaccinated against rabies.

You will need to get a new certificate each time you travel with your pet and you must obtain it within 10 days of the date you travel. The document is valid for four months, for a single trip into the EU, onward travel within the EU and for re-entry to Great Britain.

The certificate will be issued by your vet.

On arrival in the EU, you will need to enter through a designated travellers’ point of entry, listed on the EU website

Leaving France with your pet

You can enter or return to Great Britain with your pet cat, dog or ferret if it:

  • has been microchipped
  • has a pet passport or health certificate
  • has been vaccinated against rabies – it will also need a blood test if you’re travelling from a country that is not ‘listed’
  • Dogs must also usually have a tapeworm treatment.

Your pet may be put into quarantine for up to 4 months if you do not follow these rules – or refused entry if you travelled by sea. You’re responsible for any fees or charges caused.

For further information, see https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad