The French Connection

Tim DoedijnsByTim Doedijns

The French Connection

At the beginning of this year we already announced that we were asked to conquer the French market for DOG Copenhagen. We have received so much positive feedback about our assortment that we will now also include EQDOG, EQuest 4dogs and Owney Outdoor. While preparing for this new area we came across the 3 most important rules for four-legged friends in France – handy for customers with holiday plans and if you yourself have a romantic weekend planned in Paris (of course with your dog).

  1. Identify your dog
    As of July 3rd, 2004, certain rules apply within the European Union if you travel with your dog. For example, you must have a European pet passport. Since the 29th of April 2014, there is a new EU Pet Passport that only a veterinarian can provide for you, only after entering the correct data and laminating the relevant pages. Old passports issued and completed before that date will remain valid. In addition, you must also ensure that your dog is ‘chipped’. This way your dog can always be identified.
  2. Proper vaccination
    When traveling through Europe, your dog must also have a valid rabies vaccination. You should also get a dog-tag for that on the collar/harness. You must obtain the rabies vaccination up to 21 days before departure and this may not be older than one year if you cross EU borders. Dogs that are less than 3 months old cannot be vaccinated against rabies yet, so they are not allowed to enter France.
  3. Leave the tough dog at home
    France prefers fighting and guard dogs to leave rather than enter their country. That is why they apply strict rules for taking these “tough” dogs with you. This concerns certain crossbreeds that are not registered in a pedigree that is recognized by the French Ministry of Agriculture. In appearance they resemble:
  • Pitbulls and crossbreeds with American Staffordshire Terrier
  • Boerbulls and crossbreeds with the Mastiff
  • Crossbreeds with the Tosa

Do you want to take these dogs with you? Then you must comply with all kinds of rules. For example, with a special French course where you must prove that you have your dog under control and get a positive result on a bite test that your dog undergo in France.

You can find more information and links to all the rules in France on this Dutch website by the central government.O

Taking the dog to France? Make sure to check the rules!

About the author

Tim Doedijns

Tim Doedijns administrator

NOHO agency is founded by Tim Doedijns, avid skier and hockey player, hiker and proud owner of Border Terrier Luca.