Tips on travelling the world with your dog

Rudolph with his Labrador cross Mompa in front of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. — Photos: dpa

Mompa is an extremely cosmopolitan dog. The shabby black Labrador cross has already travelled to Pisa, Dubrovnik, Newcastle, Malaga and Paris.

Flying? No problem. He doesn’t even need sedatives, as his owner Kriss Rudolph from Berlin, Germany, quickly discovered.

Nowadays, 10-year-old Mompa doesn’t even need much coaxing to climb into his transport box, without any signs of stress.

Mompa had always been a calm dog, so Rudolph decided to simply give flying a try. “If Mompa had felt uncomfortable, I would never have flown again.”

Rudolph is undoubtedly blessed with an exceptional dog. Very few dog owners take their pets on flights, mainly for fear of the distress it will cause. Unless they weigh less than a few kilos (depending on the airline), dogs are transported in their narrow boxes in the belly of the plane along with the hold luggage – which, understandably, a lot of dogs don’t like.

Whether or not a dog is suitable for flying depends largely on its personality, says German vet Heidi Bernauer-Muenz. “But if it is just a 14-day holiday in Majorca, a dog boarding house is certainly the better solution.”

The expert recommends flying only if it’s absolutely necessary.

Martina Zuengel-Hein, a German blogger who writes about travelling with dogs, usually takes her car when travelling with her two elderly Ridgebacks. Buses usually don’t allow dogs on long-distance routes. Taking dogs on trains is possible, but you might be required to buy a ticket for larger dogs.

Zuengel-Hein with her two Ridgebacks. She is particularly enthusiastic about the Netherlands as a destination for dog owners, and also recommends Scandinavia.

Bernauer-Muenz also recommends travelling by car as the best option: “Anyone with a dog should, however, take a break every two hours so that the dog can have a drink, stretch its legs and go to the toilet.” Important: “The animal should be used to being in a car from an early age so that it does not create stress.”

When you travel to other countries, keep in mind that they might have certain entry regulations, Bernauer-Muenz advises. “It is imperative that you inquire about this beforehand.”

Zuengel-Hein is particularly enthusiastic about the Netherlands as a destination for dog owners and also recommends Scandinavia. In southern Europe, you can usually take dogs with you, but they are not allowed in restaurants or cafes.

The biggest challenge when travelling with a dog is probably the search for suitable accommodation. “I recommend calling the hotel or guest house beforehand, ” Zuengel-Hein says. This way, you can make sure that dogs are welcome. Nowadays there are more and more hotels that cater specifically to the needs of dogs and their owners.

Anyone travelling with a dog should take regular breaks to allow it to have a drink and ease itself.

You should check in advance if there are additional fees. Showing up without inquiring beforehand might leave you without a roof over your head. Mompa would be still fine though, because he always travels in his little box anyway. – dpa/Marie von der Tann

Some train operators require dogs to wear a muzzle.