|Home| Info| Community| Business| Beaches| What to do?| Rentals| News| Forum| Blogs| Finance| History| FAQ| Contact|
taking dogs to portugal
thought anyone planning to take their dogs overseas might find this website useful
www.dogsaway.co.uk
has anyone had any experience of the Brittany Ferries Plymouth to Santander crossing with their dogs? the facilities look quite good.
www.dogsaway.co.uk
has anyone had any experience of the Brittany Ferries Plymouth to Santander crossing with their dogs? the facilities look quite good.
Hi Blue
We took our dog on the Plymouth to Santander ferry in July. Kennels are on the top deck and they have water bowls/food bowls provided if you don't want to bring your own.You can also put the dogs own bedding etc to make it more comfortable as kennel is really just metal cage.There is also a water tap there so you don't need to provide water only food. Our dog is quite big but had plenty of room in the large kennel,in fact some people had two dogs travelling together in one large kennel.
I think there are about a dozen large kennels with more smaller kennels placed above for smaller sized dogs.
You receive a keycard as the gate is locked so only people with dogs can actually get access to the kennels and you can visit at any time.You are also allowed to excercise your dog if you want to out on top deck only. This in theory is ok but was blowing a gale when we took the dog out and walking about is actually very difficult.
It is also quite noisy up there and to be honest as our dog is quite sensitive he was quite disturbed by this. Many of the other dogs were too.
It could of course be that many dogs would find being apart from their owners in this strange environment upsetting any way and you have to weigh this up with the fact that the ferry does have the advantage of saving you the drive through France.
As we were coming from Scotland we felt this was a definate advantage to us in reducing driving time. Haven't brought dog abroad before so nothing to compare with.
We do intend bringing our dog again next year but to be honest we haven't decided if we will use the ferry again or drive through France.
Carolyn
We took our dog on the Plymouth to Santander ferry in July. Kennels are on the top deck and they have water bowls/food bowls provided if you don't want to bring your own.You can also put the dogs own bedding etc to make it more comfortable as kennel is really just metal cage.There is also a water tap there so you don't need to provide water only food. Our dog is quite big but had plenty of room in the large kennel,in fact some people had two dogs travelling together in one large kennel.
I think there are about a dozen large kennels with more smaller kennels placed above for smaller sized dogs.
You receive a keycard as the gate is locked so only people with dogs can actually get access to the kennels and you can visit at any time.You are also allowed to excercise your dog if you want to out on top deck only. This in theory is ok but was blowing a gale when we took the dog out and walking about is actually very difficult.
It is also quite noisy up there and to be honest as our dog is quite sensitive he was quite disturbed by this. Many of the other dogs were too.
It could of course be that many dogs would find being apart from their owners in this strange environment upsetting any way and you have to weigh this up with the fact that the ferry does have the advantage of saving you the drive through France.
As we were coming from Scotland we felt this was a definate advantage to us in reducing driving time. Haven't brought dog abroad before so nothing to compare with.
We do intend bringing our dog again next year but to be honest we haven't decided if we will use the ferry again or drive through France.
Carolyn
-
nightrider
JUST A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY ON PET PASSPORTS:-
I am not sure how many Dog (& other pets) Owners are aware that we have Lady Fretwell to thank for her many years of tiresome work to get a bill past for Pet Passports. I use to write to her regulary and was one of the first to obtain my Pet Passport during the trial period.
BLUE:-
You will have no doubt like most of us looked at the various ways to travel with your Dog and I fully appeciate that your journey starts in Scotland. Ours luckily from the Surrey/Sussex boarders.
Is it not possible to break the journey, by driving to Kent or nearby and staying overnight somewhere. Look up Hotels Accepting Pets in Kent.
In the morning, when you are all fresh etc, drive to the ChannelTunnel and then your off through France, Spain and hello your here in the Algarve.
Above I have posted for Jak the route we took and a Guest has also posted his/her route, both more or less the same.
As for the ferry, the Bay of Biscay can be very rough so we ruled that out, flying no way and all because we have a very sensitive GSD.
We therefore, chose to drive and frankly, we really did enjoy it.
FOOTNOTE:-
I hope that our dogs live to a ripe old age(I love them dearly) but hearing about the 3 legged dog that was at Scruffs here in the Algarve last Sunday with a note on him"please give me a home" if we have any other dogs, it will have to be some of the poor little souls out here wandering around, half starved, some hurt and some obviously by their scars either in fights with other dogs or by human hand.
Blue have a good journey.
I am not sure how many Dog (& other pets) Owners are aware that we have Lady Fretwell to thank for her many years of tiresome work to get a bill past for Pet Passports. I use to write to her regulary and was one of the first to obtain my Pet Passport during the trial period.
BLUE:-
You will have no doubt like most of us looked at the various ways to travel with your Dog and I fully appeciate that your journey starts in Scotland. Ours luckily from the Surrey/Sussex boarders.
Is it not possible to break the journey, by driving to Kent or nearby and staying overnight somewhere. Look up Hotels Accepting Pets in Kent.
In the morning, when you are all fresh etc, drive to the ChannelTunnel and then your off through France, Spain and hello your here in the Algarve.
Above I have posted for Jak the route we took and a Guest has also posted his/her route, both more or less the same.
As for the ferry, the Bay of Biscay can be very rough so we ruled that out, flying no way and all because we have a very sensitive GSD.
We therefore, chose to drive and frankly, we really did enjoy it.
FOOTNOTE:-
I hope that our dogs live to a ripe old age(I love them dearly) but hearing about the 3 legged dog that was at Scruffs here in the Algarve last Sunday with a note on him"please give me a home" if we have any other dogs, it will have to be some of the poor little souls out here wandering around, half starved, some hurt and some obviously by their scars either in fights with other dogs or by human hand.
Blue have a good journey.
Hi Blue
Certainly do. When we were on ferry we got talking to a couple who had 4 cats in a van all kitted out with large cages and play areas for the cats to roam about in. Very organised !
Cats have to stay in your vehicle for all of the journey and I think you are only allowed to visit for short periods of time and must be escorted by a member of the crew.
Carolyn
ps Birds can also travel as saw car with birdcage in it too !!
Certainly do. When we were on ferry we got talking to a couple who had 4 cats in a van all kitted out with large cages and play areas for the cats to roam about in. Very organised !
Cats have to stay in your vehicle for all of the journey and I think you are only allowed to visit for short periods of time and must be escorted by a member of the crew.
Carolyn
ps Birds can also travel as saw car with birdcage in it too !!
Carolynb - Thanks for the info 
my cat would have a fit if I left her alone in the car for that length of time, we were wavering between ferry & a long drive weren't sure how the dogs would have stood up to the sea journey or the cat to the road, so all this infomation has been really useful. We will take the route suggested by nightrider to Jak & go cross country.
Are the hotels/guest houses that are amenable to dogs generally so to cats as well?
by the way nightrider it's Carolynb that came down from bonny Scotland, we're much further south of the border, just coming down from near Guildford. I've never been north of Watford
my cat would have a fit if I left her alone in the car for that length of time, we were wavering between ferry & a long drive weren't sure how the dogs would have stood up to the sea journey or the cat to the road, so all this infomation has been really useful. We will take the route suggested by nightrider to Jak & go cross country.
Are the hotels/guest houses that are amenable to dogs generally so to cats as well?
by the way nightrider it's Carolynb that came down from bonny Scotland, we're much further south of the border, just coming down from near Guildford. I've never been north of Watford
-
Johnny Boy
- CVO Senior
- Posts: 198
- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2005 1:28 pm
Hi all, I may be a bit late on this one, We came on the Santader ferry with our dog. She had to have a pet pasport £160.00 in total. We used the Satander ferry to cut down the travelling time for the dog to be in the car, outside Temp 46c
Stayed at Hotel Lusitania in Villa Formoso. Who also allows pets to stay.
ps your pet must have had its pasport for more than 6 months before it will be allowed back into the UK.
Stayed at Hotel Lusitania in Villa Formoso. Who also allows pets to stay.
ps your pet must have had its pasport for more than 6 months before it will be allowed back into the UK.
-
nightrider
J.B.
Out of interest what time of the year did you sail from Poole to Santander?
Some say it is really a rough ride?
How long are you actually on the boat.
How large are the kennels/cages?
Santander to the Algarve as I understand it ........12hrs by car?
Why did you stop off in a hotel, rather than come off the ferry and drive staight down to the Algarve ?
Our trip was C.Tunnel:
10Hrs first day driving.
12Hrs second day
12Hrs second day
More or Less.
Our Dog had lots of room.i.e. we drove down in 4 wheeled vehicle.
We decided not to fly or sail and therefore keep Yogi with us all the time. I.e. he is not only very sensitive but has undergone several life saving opeartions inclusive of his spleen being removed. So I decided not to take any chance with him. But of course each animal as does humans, react in different ways to travel etc...
Nightider:
Out of interest what time of the year did you sail from Poole to Santander?
Some say it is really a rough ride?
How long are you actually on the boat.
How large are the kennels/cages?
Santander to the Algarve as I understand it ........12hrs by car?
Why did you stop off in a hotel, rather than come off the ferry and drive staight down to the Algarve ?
Our trip was C.Tunnel:
10Hrs first day driving.
12Hrs second day
12Hrs second day
More or Less.
Our Dog had lots of room.i.e. we drove down in 4 wheeled vehicle.
We decided not to fly or sail and therefore keep Yogi with us all the time. I.e. he is not only very sensitive but has undergone several life saving opeartions inclusive of his spleen being removed. So I decided not to take any chance with him. But of course each animal as does humans, react in different ways to travel etc...
Nightider:
-
Johnny Boy
- CVO Senior
- Posts: 198
- Joined: Mon Mar 21, 2005 1:28 pm
Hi Nightrider, 
Last July we drove from Yorkshire to Plymouth. Sailed at 4pm arriving next day at 11am at Santander. The Kennels onboard are of differant sizes made of stainless steel, ours being a boarder terrier only needed a small kennel.
Did take her blanket and toy to put in the kennel with her. The crossing was like a mill pond, I think we where lucky.After leaving the boat we then drove down to Villa Formoso 5hrs drive. Next day down to Lagos.
The reason we did'nt drive all the way to Lagos was to give the dog a rest and nice long walk in the evening. Yes you can do Santander to the Algarve in 12hrs.
Best regards JB
Last July we drove from Yorkshire to Plymouth. Sailed at 4pm arriving next day at 11am at Santander. The Kennels onboard are of differant sizes made of stainless steel, ours being a boarder terrier only needed a small kennel.Did take her blanket and toy to put in the kennel with her. The crossing was like a mill pond, I think we where lucky.After leaving the boat we then drove down to Villa Formoso 5hrs drive. Next day down to Lagos.
The reason we did'nt drive all the way to Lagos was to give the dog a rest and nice long walk in the evening. Yes you can do Santander to the Algarve in 12hrs.
Best regards JB
nightrider thank you & all others for all your help regarding dog removals, we flew out to cvo on Sat 8th just for a week to check out some long rentals, no one warned us about the monsoon 
which hit us Sunday 
the last time they had this much rain was when we were out about 4 years ago it rained torrentially for 5 out of the 7 days that we were there, perhaps we should hire ourselves out to the drought sufffering farmers 
, but we were successful in our mission & have found a 3 bed villa up near the water tower . We drive out the last week of November with 2 large hairy beasts & 1 very stroppy cat & I am now veering from feelings of excitement to terror, wish us luck pleeeease.
Oh by the way be warned once we're out there the Algarve will probably have the coldest winter on record, with blizzards
p.s I used to post as Jak (guest) but I could never log on so had to find a new way hence I became blue.
which hit us Sunday the last time they had this much rain was when we were out about 4 years ago it rained torrentially for 5 out of the 7 days that we were there, perhaps we should hire ourselves out to the drought sufffering farmers , but we were successful in our mission & have found a 3 bed villa up near the water tower . We drive out the last week of November with 2 large hairy beasts & 1 very stroppy cat & I am now veering from feelings of excitement to terror, wish us luck pleeeease.Oh by the way be warned once we're out there the Algarve will probably have the coldest winter on record, with blizzards
p.s I used to post as Jak (guest) but I could never log on so had to find a new way hence I became blue.
-
Guest