Going to France with my dog

[Ben22]

Hi everyone I am new to this forum and was just looking on some advice please , I am wishing to go to France soon with my beloved dog but unsure if she will be allowed into France , she is an American XL bulldog and is lovely , a big softy and not videos at all , she has all her paperwork etc , insurance , vaccinations , exemption certificate , spayed etc , everything ! But I have been reading up non stop on the rules of dogs and apparently there are two categories for banned breeds , category 1 i believe are prohibited and category 2 are allowed under certain conditions , I believe she falls under category 2 and as I said she's such a lovely dog and not aggressive at all , both my parents have pasded away and i have no family left just my dog who comes everywhere with me , she is my world and i am worried she might be refused entry or worse taken from me ? Could anybody help with any information please it would be much appreciated ,
Regards Ben

 

[Ben22]

Also I will be travelling by tunnel if this helps , do the checks get done on the UK side or France side ?
Regards Ben

 

[Andy1954]

Hi
Uk side going out French side coming back

 

[rb62]

I can see why you are having problems! typical French ambiguity and the fact that it seems to make a difference if you have your pets breeding records. What you don't want is to turn up at pet check in at the tunnel and for her to be refused entry. The only suggestion I have is to speak to Abbeywell vets in Folkstone who are well versed in issuing AHCs and it's where Eurotunnel send anyone with incorrect paperwork.

Abbeywell Vets Folkestone - Local Vets, Happy Pets Abbeywell Vets Folkestone - Local vets, happy pets

We are a local, independent veterinary practice, focused on preventative care. We want you to think of us as your family vet.

www.abbeywellvets.co.uk

The best I could find about class definition is this.

Arrêté du 27 avril 1999 pris pour l'application de l'article 211-1 du code rural et établissant la liste des types de chiens susceptibles d'être dangereux, faisant l'objet des mesures prévues aux articles 211-1 à 211-5 du même code - Légifrance

Arrêté du 27 avril 1999 pris pour l'application de l'article 211-1 du code rural ...

www.legifrance.gouv.fr

Good luck,I think you may need it !

 

[Spriddler]

A quick Google finds many sources which say they are banned in France.
Here's one..........

UK's American XL Bully ban: Which dangerous dogs are banned in Europe?

On Friday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the nation's intention to ban all American XL Bullies by the end of the year, following a recent spate of attacks - but which 'dangerous dog' breeds are the most outlawed across Europe?

www.euronews.com

Extract from the article...........

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[Phill D]

hi and welcome

I think you will need at a minimum concrete proof that your dog is not categorised as cat 1.
If there is any ambiguity whatsoever you will have problems.

My thoughts are; even if you have cat 2 proof campsites will reject your request to stay.

Sad but probably likely.

Hope I am wrong.

 

[HKF]

It's unlikely you'll get an AHC, as they're a banned breed in France. Your personal opinion of your dog's behaviour is irrelevant for this purpose. It's the breed that's banned, not just the aggressive ones.

 

[MichaelT]

You can ask le shuttle if they will let you travel by emailing support@eurotunnel.zendesk.com

But we found Brittany ferries much better and knowledgeable (maybe cos they're french) so could email them saying you are looking to book a crossing but before you do would like to clarify the situation. pettravelexpert@brittanyferries.com

 

[Ben22]

A quick Google finds many sources which say they are banned in France.
Here's one..........

UK's American XL Bully ban: Which dangerous dogs are banned in Europe?

On Friday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the nation's intention to ban all American XL Bullies by the end of the year, following a recent spate of attacks - but which 'dangerous dog' breeds are the most outlawed across Europe?

www.euronews.com

Extract from the article...........

View attachment 935478

I understand they are banned in most countries but they have categories of 1 and 2 , 1 being prohibited without a doubt no entry but 2 can enter if they are a full pedigree and have all relevant documents which she has ,
Regards Ben

 

[Ben22]

hi and welcome

I think you will need at a minimum concrete proof that your dog is not categorised as cat 1.
If there is any ambiguity whatsoever you will have problems.

My thoughts are; even if you have cat 2 proof campsites will reject your request to stay.

Sad but probably likely.

Hope I am wrong.

I am travelling to a private estate and the owners of the estate have welcomed me and my dog to come over without any issues ,
Regards Ben

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[Ben22]

It's unlikely you'll get an AHC, as they're a banned breed in France. Your personal opinion of your dog's behaviour is irrelevant for this purpose. It's the breed that's banned, not just the aggressive ones.

I already have all the paperwork needed including the ahc and exemption forms etc ,
Regards Ben

 

[HKF]

I am travelling to a private estate and the owners of the estate have welcomed me and my dog to come over without any issues ,
Regards Ben

It doesn't matter what the owners of the estate, or anywhere else for that matter, say. It's what the law says that matters.

 

[Phill D]

I understand they are banned in most countries but they have categories of 1 and 2 , 1 being prohibited without a doubt no entry but 2 can enter if they are a full pedigree and have all relevant documents which she has ,
Regards Ben

The things is though Ben you are looking at it from knowing the individual dog with emotional attachment, the French authorities will see a band breed and it will be you who will have The difficult task of convincing them otherwise.

The response you get even if allowed to travel is likely to be unpredictable.

 

[HKF]

I already have all the paperwork needed including the ahc and exemption forms etc ,
Regards Ben

Without wishing to sound agressive, you seem to have all the answers, so I'm not sure what you want anyone here to say. We cannot tell you what stance Border Control will take. Only you will know that when you get there.

 

[Phill D]

An AHC is a document that indicates the animal is fit to travel and meets the medical requirements for entry. I do not believe it takes into account any laws regarding specific dog breeds.

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[Phill D]

None of us on the forum will have the absolute answer you are looking for, only the French authorities will have that.
We cannot know what they will say , and that is likely to change depending upon when and whom you talk to.


Good luck.

 

[Spriddler]

I already have all the paperwork needed including the ahc and exemption forms etc ,
Regards Ben

Well then, rather than believe Google sources or solicit 'opinions' on here ask an official authority, like perhaps the Kennel Club, French Customs, or the French Embassy. If they do say it's O.K. get it in writing.
The officials at the borders won't have the slightest interest in where you are going after entry regardless of whether it's a private estate.

 

[Phill D]

Perhaps the owner of the private estate you are visiting can direct you to the appropriate authorities to get a definitive answer as they are already in France.

 

[Ridgeway]

Surely if you drive out of the UK there’s no controls for your dog. The dog,cat and ferret process is on the way back in, right ?

I would of thought you’d just drive through but it has been a couple of years since we used the tunnel.

 

[HKF]

Perhaps the owner of the private estate you are visiting can direct you to the appropriate authorities to get a definitive answer as they are already in France.

I think, as you said above, it will ultimately come down to the official on the day. I think the majority of us on here know that to be the case.

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[Reallyretired]

Surely if you drive out of the UK there’s no controls for your dog. The dog,cat and ferret process is on the way back in, right ?

I would of thought you’d just drive through but it has been a couple of years since we used the tunnel.

No longer the case I'm afraid. Checks present travelling both ways.

 

[rb62]

Even class 2 dogs have to have a behavorial assesment and you must have sufficient insurance coverage.

Avoir un chien de catégorie : quelles sont les règles ?

Si vous détenez un chien catégorisé, vous devez notamment obtenir un attestation d'aptitude à la détention et un permis de détention d'un tel chien.

www.service-public.fr

 

[Reallyretired]

Sadly I'm afraid you and your beautiful dog may have to restrict your travels to the UK
I know how you must feel, if I couldn't take my dogs I wouldn't go.

 

[maz]

Hi Ben and welcome to the Fun! An interesting question ....


The following extract is from the French version of Wikipedia so might need further research to ascertain current accuracy:

Source: https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Bully

It seems that as the American Bully is created by crossing the American Staffordshire Terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier, it will be classed as Category 1. They are not recognised by the Société Centrale Canine (French Kennel Club) so apparently cannot claim Category 2.

As with most Internet sources, more questions need to be asked but it might give you a starting point for further investigations.

Good luck!

 

[Mousy]

Hi Ben and welcome.

What about a disguise to outwit those Frenchies?

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[Spriddler]

I doubt we'll hear from Ben22 again as he's had his free 5 but I hope he gets on O.K. as he is evidently a very devoted owner.

 

[MichaelT]

I doubt we'll hear from Ben22 again as he's had his free 5 but I hope he gets on O.K. as he is evidently a very devoted owner.

I guess he was hoping he for a different reply here to what he already knew. He may be devoted but those dogs have maimed and killed a lot of people so they're banned for a reason.

 

[MichaelT]

Doesn't matter how soft you think your dog is they can turn on anyone even the owner which is why they are banned. Can't see what the attraction is?

BBC News - Man killed by own XL bully dog at home

Man killed by own XL Bully dog in home

The man was found dead in his home in Lancashire and the dog was later destroyed by police.

www.bbc.com

 

[Gina M]

Yes, he's gone now. I get that he loves his dog. I adored my boy but I would never ever have taken the chance of traveling abroad with him if he had been a banned dog. Can you imagine the heartache of having the dog taken off you, even for a short while, for me it would have been agony.

 

[Guigsy]

Unless I was absolutely sure there was no ambiguity, I would not risk taking my pet abroad.

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