TRAVEL-FRIENDLY DOG BREEDS

Which dog breeds are good companions? 

Before the pet comes into the house, the most important thing is to choose a breed that suits the owner’s lifestyle. This choice includes the space, finances, and level of activity that certain races require, as well as travel habits. Dogs are great companions, and the owners know that a new trip means a new adventure. 

In the U.S., about 37% of owners travel with their pets each year, which is a significantly higher percentage compared to 19% two decades ago, with a steady upward trend. 

Dog breeds differ in size and temperament, which sets some apart from others in terms of easier travel organization, less necessary additional procedures, as well as better travel tolerance, and possible health problems. 

This makes traveling easier and cheaper when you have a small dog. They require smaller transporters, so driving by car, taxi or plane is more accessible. In addition, many public places as well as public transportation have restrictions on the size of the dog. 

Also, airline cabin flights are usually for smaller dogs because they have to fit in a specially designed crate and space under the seat. Although there are several airlines, such as La Compagnie from France, or S7 Airlines from Russia, that allow pets up to 15kg or 10kg to be with their owners during the flight, this rule actually means that only dogs up to 8kg can stay in the cabin. Exceptions are service dogs and animals for emotional support. We mentioned them in the previous blog.

According to the above criteria, some of the breeds that have an ideal predisposition for a great companion are curly bichon frise, Maltese, and poodle, especially popular breeds, which do not shed, do not cause allergies and do not have an odor, which are often the deciding factors when it comes to receiving pet guests. There are also chihuahuas, which are extremely small, weighing 1 to 3 kilograms. The Yorkshire terrier is another dwarf breed, weighing up to eight kilograms, so it is adaptable to the conditions during the trip. 

Although flying seems the best option for traveling with small dogs, it is still not the safest for every pet. It is generally not recommended for brachycephalic breeds of dogs, such as pugs, bulldogs, and Pekingese, which have short nasal passages. Changes in the level of stress and pressure during the flight put them at higher risk of hyperventilation or other breathing difficulties. Many airlines have breed rules. 

When it comes to traveling with a big dog, it should be emphasized that, although there are exceptions, large dogs require running and as much physical and mental activity as possible. They are the best choice for people who spend a lot of time outside.

In this regard, the owners should always take the weather conditions into account during the trip. Just as huskies do not tolerate high temperatures well, Dalmatians are not good at hiking.  

Large breeds that like adventures in nature, games, and swimming, and which on the other hand react well to the presence of unknown people, include retrievers, Newfoundlanders, and setters. 

On the contrary, when it comes to swimming and staying outdoors, extreme caution is needed with brachycephalic breeds which, due to their constitution, are not good swimmers and have an increased risk of getting sunburns. As a rule of thumb, muscular or obese dogs should stay out of the sun. 

During a trip, a dog will encounter many unfamiliar things and that is why it is important to know how to communicate with other dogs, smells, and people in an appropriate way so that he does not run away from new stimuli, but not see them as a threat either. You can read about the importance of early socialization here.

Related to this is the phenomenon by which dogs will always remain recognizable – barking. Barking can be noisy for people, but for dogs, this way of communication is a completely normal type of interaction. When barking excessively, it usually indicates a problem, and then barking can be a nuisance. In addition to health problems, age, aggression, etc., if he is afraid, a dog can express his fear by barking. This can happen anywhere and in any (for him new and unusual) situation. 

On the other side, there are races that are silent, such as greyhound, quiet and withdrawn, or Shar-Pei, which barks only to warn of the presence of real, imminent danger. 

Before entering the territory of any other country, in addition to getting acquainted with the laws concerning pets, breeds, walking on a leash, staying outdoors, or indoors, etc., it is important to inform yourself about the regulations that apply to enter the country. Non-EU countries have generally required a passport issued by a veterinarian, a certificate that the pet has been vaccinated and permanently marked (chipped), a certificate of health not older than 48 hours, issued by an authorized veterinarian, and a certificate of exit from the issuing country. competent Veterinary Inspection of the Republic of Serbia. You can find a detailed list here.

When you plan to take your pet on a trip, there will be different conditions that the dog must meet, and the owner must respect, in order to avoid any inconveniences, because traveling includes the entire experience, not just accommodation. With the Pet Travel Advisor certification all service providers standardize their visit rules so that visitors can get acquainted with them even before their arrival.

Author: Marina Stancevic