taking dogs to portugal

[cowboy]

Dogologys come and go, but Poopology sticks with you.

[nightrider]

Dogologys come and go, but Poopology sticks with you.

I said a "picture" please Cowboy.

Dogology for ever

[pm]

Dogs are man's best friend, they are used in mine fields

Seems a bit harsh. What happens, do you tie them to the end of the stick instead of the electrical detector thing? Probably better off with a hamster, wouldn't make your arms so tired.

[guest Pete]

Hi all,
Thanks for all the replies.
It looks like we may have to talk with our vet and sort out passport etc.
Our dog is also a GSD 12+years and has developed cdrm (a degenerate disease affecting the nerves in the spine, no pain involved) most people know it as "the back legs problem" While he is still able to walk, enjoy his food and participate albeit slowly we are not prepared to put him down. Some dogs deteriorate quickly, that together with his age means if we bring him with us, he won't be returning to the UK.
So we have a bit of a dilema, having put off moving to portugal for the last 6 months in the hope nature takes its course, we may have to wait a bit longer and have to see what the vets opinion is.
All the best,
Pete

[kteee]

We had a similar situation with our 14 year old German Shepherd cross, she also had problems with her back legs and had tumours on her liver, but we weren't prepared to have her put down just because we were moving here.

We spent that last 6 months in the uk expecting her health to deteriorate to a point where she she would have to be put down, but she kept going and we ended up bringing her with us. We drove out with our two dogs as the vet wouldn't let her fly, and Gem was absolutely fine.

Neither of our dogs had pet passports to return to England (perhaps the regulations have changed since then), although we complied with all the regulations for bringing them through France, Spain and Portugal (we came via the tunnel as I wanted to be able to stay with her the whole journey) and booked Ibis hotels which accept dogs (and were extremely helpful and accommodating).

Gem lived another 6 months with us in Portugal until she could no longer get around under her own steam, but at least she came with us and enjoyed her last months in a better climate.

Don't be put you off bringing your elderly dog - I'm glad we did!

[nightrider]

Pete,

I am not going to claim that it is a miracle cure..i.e. I can only say how I find it. A few years ago our dog GSD twisted his stomach for the second time and then his spleen had to be removed to save his life. It took many months for his recovery and my sleeping on the floor in order to keep him still. After which he has become weak on his back legs. I have found that 6 Green Leaf Tabs per day by Deans Products based in Sussex seem to help him.They look like smarties and he enjoys munching them.

Worth a try. Nightrider.

[nightrider]

Yes I cannot deny that I have had a couple of glasses of wine with my dinner, but when I read all the obviously very kind and loving people with their pets, frankly, it gives me hope in this world of ours...so how do we educated the rest!

[nightrider]

Dogs are man's best friend, they are used in mine fields

Seems a bit harsh. What happens, do you tie them to the end of the stick instead of the electrical detector thing? Probably better off with a hamster, wouldn't make your arms so tired.

PM You have a wicked sense of humour

[Jak]

nightrider
we are also driving down to Portugal with our dogs one of which is a very 'sensitive' (to put it mildy, neurotic loone more like) 6 year old german shepherd, the other a very bouncy retroodle, can you recommend the best route & animal friendly accommodation

[nightrider]

Hi Jak,

I was told once that after 2yrs GSD's mature, that person must have a very long nose now i.e. my dog is 10yrs next month and he is still as stupid as ever

Channel Tunnel
Calais A16 towards - Paris (you skirt Paris)
Paris A10 - Orleans
Orleans A10 - Tours
Tours A10 - Poitiers
Poitiers A10 - Bordeaux
Bordeaux A63 to French/Spanish Border
(and or N10)
French/Spanish Border A8 - San Sebastian
(Alt N240-N1-A1 Madrid)
SPAIN
San Sebastian A8 - Bilbao
Bilbao A68 - Madrid
(and or A1 & N1)
Madrid - NIV - Cordoba
Cordoba - NIV - Seville
Seville - Faro (N125)

Map Scale 1/1000000 - 1 cm: 10Km

Speed
MPH-:
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100

KMPM:
32
48
64
80
96
112
128
144
160

Coversion:

Miles to Kilometres x 1.6093

Kilometres to Miles x 0.6214

Example 400 miles per day = 640 Kilometres

Trip is approx 1424.2 miles =


Miles:-
(1) 475.9
(2) 519.6. 995.5
(3) 428.7. 1424.2 = (2292)

Kilometres:
(1) 765.9
(2) 836.2
(3) 689.9 = (2292)



Dont't forget that there are tolls and now days of course all payments across Europe "Euros".

If you decide to stop and eat and therefore leave the dogs in the car then depending on the time of year, keep a very watchful eye on the outside temp! Plenty of water for the dogs in the car etc. (Sorry if I am teaching you to suck eggs)....

We left the Channel Tunnel around 7.30am on a Sunday morning and apart from fuel and pit stops for human and dog, we did not stop until around 5.00pm at our pre booked (with dog) hotel. This was the Quality Hotel Altéora Futuroscope Poitiers. There was an area to walk our dog prior to sleep and again in the morning. (Naturally I took my poop materials with me). Dinner and Breakfast in the room. We left at 9.00am arriving in Burgos Spain around 10.00pm and at the pre booked hotel Montermosa. It was not anywhere near the standard of the above, but it was clean and you could have a continental breakfast in the room. We left at 10.00am puchased sandwiches etc on route and arrived in the Algarve, Silves about 10.00pm.

We had a friend who was a member of the RAC and who kindly acquired a very helpful pack of details, inclusive of a route map.

Hope you find this information of help and please feel free if there is anything that I have not made clear or any further help I can give to let me know.

Once here if you require any help at all, may I suggest you contact Bruxinha on this forum, she has produced a very good fact sheet and in particular the purchasing of property. (Do's and Dont's etc)

Just to let you know the sky is blue and the sun is shinning and the only problem I have is 2 large beasts in the form of GSD's that have just been in the pool and decided to walk all over our villa's floors but I love them

[Jak]

nightrider
thank you so much for your help, you are very kind to take the time. I have no doubt the trip will be interesting & I will keep a photographic diary to remind us how much fun it was
I have seen some of Bruxinha's postingings on the forums & she definitely seems to be the woman to know I hope she wont mind another waif & stray picking her brains

[Bruxinha]

Well as long as you don't pick too much, as not sure there is a lot left in there

As for being the woman to know...that depends who you speak to

[Jak]

You know this new ruling of not smiling in your passport photos does it apply to dogs? Only I can't get mine to stop smiling when I'm trying to take their passport picture, they just sit there tongue lolling out of the side of their mouth with an inane grin spread across their chops.

[nightrider]

Jak, you had me going there for a moment

[Guest]

Yes you do need a Pet Passport....Just to get into France...

Remember France is ver pet friendly and 90%of Hotels take dogs.
SPAIN...Not pet friendly 90% wont take them...we always go Salamanca.....many hotels take them----cross at Formosa and stay in pet friendly Formosa Hotel...then next day drive here......all very nice and fun...done it about 5 times.....I'm bringing another one out next Month.....I have no interest to adopt a stray because I like a particular type....I guess thats my choice....
none of my dogs poo on the public paths because they are trained......
I prefer Dogs to Humans........always loving ..always faithful......always happy.....