Skip to content
For a lot of van owners, travelling with your dog is basically “living the dream” and to be honest, we couldn’t agree more. Dogs are the best, so here are some real life stories from our customers, tips and tricks we have picked up along the way and some helpful links. Good luck, be safe out there and have fun in your van.
Travelling from the UK to Europe with a pet dog
Official UK government advice for travelling with your dog 🔗
EU rules on travelling with pets🔗
Preparing your dog for travelling in Europe
Before leaving the UK, your dog must meet legal pet travel requirements. This includes a valid Animal Health Certificate, microchipping, and up-to-date rabies vaccinations.
Some countries also require tapeworm treatment within a specific timeframe before returning to the UK, so planning ahead is essential. The best thing to do, is talk to your vet 3-6 months before you travel to ensure you can have a chat, book the appointments for the correct timeframes and feel secure in your decision.
Always check current regulations for each country you plan to visit, as rules can vary, and are subject to change.
Not all dogs will cope with a long journey off the bat, so it’s good to encourage them with shorter, frequent rewarding trips to walking spots that will help them understand that travelling in the van is fun. It;s also good to help them settle in the van and go to sleep for long journeys. We like to make sure ours have been walked and fed before a trip, so they can conk out in the back for the duration.
Lots of tester journeys will help you all get used to travelling with a dog, and how to problem solve things like muddy boots, wet coats, dog towels and all of the gear that comes with owning a dog.
(Who wouldn’t want an excuse to take the van out, you don’t have to tel us twice).
Campervan designs that include dogs (and the mess that comes with them)
A well-designed campervan makes travelling with a dog significantly easier. This is why it’s better to take the dog into account at the very start of a conversion. Sometimes the whole van has to revolve around crates, muddy towels and boots.
We often recommend practical features like:
- wipe clean flooring
- washable upholstery
- designated sleeping areas/crates
Fixed beds with garage storage beneath are ideal for accommodating dogs and dog “stuff”. , You can usually get loads of stuff under a fixed bed – dog beds, leads, food, and outdoor gear etc. It keeps the living area uncluttered and the dogs usually love to have a little den.
Putting your dog’s welfare first
Ventilation is another key consideration. Dogs bring a lot of moisture and dander into a home as well as a van. Roof vents, windows, and well-positioned airflow help keep your campervan cool and comfortable for dogs in the height of summer, and nice and dry when the weather turns.
If your dog eats refrigerated food, installing larger fridges is a good idea. We have worked with customers whose dogs are a bit more high maintenance because of illnesses or allergies – don’t let this hold you back from having a camper. there is a way around everything.
The last thing most dog owners want is to interrupt the feeding schedule with a different brand for being on the road. Don’t compromise! We can talk dog friendly campervan designs through with you if the design ideas have got you scratching your head.
On the Road in Europe
Europe offers thousands of dog-friendly campsites, designated wild camping areas, beaches, and walking routes. You will likely meet lots of other van lifers with a dog in tow.
France, Germany, Italy, and Spain are generally very welcoming to dogs, with many restaurants, cafés, shops and towns which welcome well-behaved dogs.
One of our recent customers travelled to southern Spain and spent six glorious weeks out there. She even spent Christmas day walking along a Spanish beach and enjoying Tapas for lunch. All with her dog by her side, lovely.
Another one of our customers is a professional dog handler. He carefully designed his campervan to accommodate his working dogs whilst working throughout Europe. It just goes to show just how much freedom can be generated by a custom built van, he didn’t even have to be restricted wo working in the UK. I’m sure the dogs had a great time too.
Stay organised with your dog’s paperwork
If you’re on the road, travelling between countries it’s better to be safe than sorry. Always carry your dog’s paperwork and ensure they are safely restrained while driving. A secure harness or travel crate not only keeps your dog safe but also ensures you comply with road safety laws in all the different countries you plan to travel through. You will need to check what they are ahead of time.
Here’s what the Highway Code in the UK says about travelling with dogs in a vehicle 🔗
Always have a power back up
For customers planning longer European trips, off-grid capabilities are not only useful, but for most of us it’s just peace of mind. Yes, I am going to say it… travelling with a dog is a bit like having a baby! You don’t want to feel stranded when you are taking care of a little life.
Power cuts can be a bit scary on the road. Here’s how we help van lifers get around it.
- Solar panels
- 12V electrical systems
- diesel fuelled heaters
The bottom line is, travelling with a dog can be a hugely rewarding experience with the right conversion. We would love to help you make it happen, but feel welcome to shop around.
Come and see us in the workshop (meet our dogs if they’re in) and have a cup of tea. Let’s talk vans.
About The Author
The Dub Hut are campervan conversion specialists based in Ashford, Kent. Their workshop is a one stop shop for all kinds of domestic and commercial van conversions, supplying upholstery, electrical work, dampening, heaters, solar power, pop tops, rocks and roll beds, kitchens, mobile workshops and more. They have been established since 2018 and operate an open-door policy for all customers. Please drop by during office hours to see vans being worked on in real time or to speak to our team.
www.thedubhut.co.uk Join in on the fun! Facebook | Instagram | TikTok