Updated February 2022
If you plan to take your dog to the European Union with you more than once, YES. Getting your pet a European Union Pet Passport will easily save you hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars down the road. It will also make future travel planning significantly easier.
A European Union (EU) Pet Passport is a travel document detailing the health and vaccination history of a specific pet. EU Pet Passports allow pet owners - both EU citizens and non EU citizens - to easily travel with their pet between EU member states and return to the EU from a non-EU country. Anyone can get an EU Pet Passport, but the document can only be obtained from an EU veterinarian. An EU Pet Passport cannot be obtained in the United States.
The original purpose of the EU Pet Passport was to simplify the process of traveling between EU member states with a pet. For us non-EU citizens, the EU Pet Passport has made it incredibly simple and cost-effective to bring a dog or cat to the EU for non-commercial purposes (i.e. the pet is not changing ownership and/or for re-sale upon arrival).
All member states of the European Union accept EU Pet Passports. Switzerland and Norway also accept EU Pet Passports.
As of 2022, Great Britain is also honoring EU Pet Passports indefinitely and despite Brexit. Here is a great DJANGO Dog Blog resource covering pet travel to Great Britain (i.e. documentation requirements, pre-travel requisites, etc).
Meet with an EU veterinarian who can issue an EU Pet Passport. The veterinarian will do a health examination of your dog and fill out all required information in your pup's new passport (owner details, description of dog, rabies vaccination history, other vaccination history).
The cost for an EU Pet Passport is minimal (EUR 20 on average) but expect the vet to charge an additional amount for the pet's health exam. This could add another EUR 30+ to your bill.
Below: We got Django his EU Pet Passport while honeymooning in Paris, France. The vet performed a full health examination before issuing Django's pet passport. Email us at hello@djangobrand.com if you are planning to visit Paris and need a vet recommendation! We were incredibly happy with our experience.
International travel to/from the European Union and between EU member states is relatively simple once your dog has an EU Pet Passport.
As always, follow international airlines' pet travel protocols to ensure a seamless trip overseas. Information varies by airline, so read the policies carefully and call your airline's customer support number if you have unanswered questions. Here is a great DJANGO Dog Blog resource detailing the in-cabin pet policies for every major international airline.
Planning an international trip with your pup this year or next? Check out DJANGO's international pet travel resources:
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Review #2! It’s been over three years since we wrote our first review of The Farmer’s Dog and over four years since we started feeding this fresh dog food to our long-haired dachshund, Django.
Over the years, The Farmer’s Dog has introduced has launched a DIY Nutrient Mix for homemade fresh dog food and added salmon oil to its increasingly popular fresh dog food recipes.
In this DJANGO Dog Blog article, we provide an updated overview and review of The Farmer's Dog based on our extensive experience with the fresh dog food brand.
Dog backpack carriers have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. These pet carriers are incredibly functional and useful in countless settings. Do you love hiking, strolling, or shopping around town with your dog? Do you live in a city, take public transportation, or commute with your pup? Do you have a senior dog with arthritis, a puppy that has not been vaccinated, or a dog recovering from surgery like our dachshund, Django?
Dog backpacks are safe and convenient pet travel carriers where your dog can rest and relax comfortably without slowing you down. They are worn like a standard backpack (on your back) and have a dedicated, secure, and comfy place for your pup to ride.
In this DJANGO Dog Blog article, we explore the two types of dog backpack carriers: vertical and horizontal. We explain why natural position backpack carriers are always the best option for dogs with back or health problems. We also discuss what features you should look for in a horizontal dog backpack carrier.
Dachshunds are a small, stubborn, loyal, and adventurous dog breed. Mike and I (Steph) know from experience. We're the proud dog parents of Django, our 7-year old long-haired dachshund and adventure pup. Django has been all over the United States and Europe with us, and we even named our dog accessories and dog apparel business, DJANGO, after him!
Despite being one of the most popular small dog breeds, dachshunds are often difficult to outfit. It can be challenging to find a dog harness that comfortably and securely fits your wiener dog's broad chest, muscular build, and long frame.
In this DJANGO Dog Blog article, we discuss what to look for when choosing a walking harness for your sausage dog. We also examine how often you should exercise your dachshund.