Mary Allen
Summer is here and the holiday season begins! More and more Germans are taking their pets with them on vacation. Transporting your beloved four-legged friend involves some dangers. Find out here what you have to consider when transporting a dog.
Safety First
Anyone who simply locks their dog in the trunk of the car next to suitcases and bags in midsummer puts the animal in great danger. Accidents always lead to serious physical injuries and severe trauma.
There is no official seatbelt requirement for dogs. According to traffic law, animals are considered cargo. They can only be carried securely in a car. Paragraphs 22 and 23 of the Road Traffic Ordinance (StVO) formulate exactly how loads and animals must be secured during transport. The accompanying dog must be accommodated safely. In the event of sudden vehicle movements, it must not be thrown around in the vehicle. Taking the dog with you must not affect:
- The road safety of the vehicle
- The driving ability of the driver
The responsibility for the safe transport of the animal passenger lies with the vehicle driver. Choosing a suitable means of transport is not always easy. There are no exact regulations as to what the means of transport should look like. Many online shops and pet shops offer a wide range of products and extensive accessories. Boxes or harnesses that are tailored to the individual needs of furry friends.
Dog Transport Abroad
If you want to travel abroad with your dog by car, you must first observe a number of important provisions. In addition to the obligatory microchip for identification, the EU pet passport and valid rabies vaccinations may also be required. In addition, some European countries, for example, require proof of treatment against worm or tick infestation.
Numerous European countries have issued entry bans for certain dog breeds, some of which are extensive. In Austria, these regulations can even differ depending on the city or municipality. In most countries, there is a far-reaching leash obligation, while in Switzerland this is handled quite liberally. To ensure that a holiday trip does not come to an abrupt end at the border crossing, you should find out about the entry requirements in advance.
Which Seat in the Car is the Safest?
An hour-long drive in a car full of holiday luggage is an extraordinary burden not only for people but also for accompanying dogs. If the dog owner observes a few basic rules of conduct, the dog’s travel stress is significantly reduced. At the same time, safety is guaranteed as best as possible.
Dangerous place choice
Depending on the breed and character, a dog can be more or less suitable for a holiday trip. It is guaranteed to pay off to get your dog used to car journeys before you start your journey. You can do this yourself or contact a dog training school. Before you set off on your holiday trip, you need to find the right place for your dog in the car. If you place your four-legged friend on the passenger seat out of a misunderstood love of animals, you unnecessarily endanger yourself and your animal. In the event of a sudden evasive maneuver or sudden braking, the animal is thrown around uncontrollably. In addition to the animal, other occupants can also be injured.
Safety through the protective grid
Transport on the back seat or in the footwell is much more advisable here, of course with the safety of a suitable harness. It is best to transport a dog in the luggage compartment of a station wagon or van. It is important to pay attention to the installation of a safety grille between the passenger compartment and the luggage compartment. Fixed grids, some of which can already be supplied by car manufacturers ex-works, are preferable to softer grids. The forces exerted by the animal on the safety device in the event of emergency braking can quickly correspond to a weight of many hundreds of kilograms.
Choice of transport box
If you choose a transport box, stable metal cages are preferable to softer softboxes. Should an accident actually occur, the more flexible boxes do not offer sufficient protection to protect the dog from more serious injuries. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published guidelines for determining the correct size of such a transport box. The rule of thumb here is twice the shoulder width, the length, and height of the dog plus approx. 15 cm to 30 cm. Tests, such as those conducted by the ADAC, provide information on which manufacturers and models are suitable.
Prevent heat
Every dog owner should already have sufficient knowledge about heat protection when transporting dogs. The basic rule is not to leave any animals in the car. Even in cloudy weather or in the shade, the interior of a vehicle can heat up significantly within a short period of time. Even dogs can suffer from heatstroke or circulatory collapse! If you act negligently here, you risk not only the health of your dog but also a sensitive fine.
When Transporting Dogs, Planning is the Be-All and End-All
Solid travel planning is the basis for a safe and relaxed holiday trip together with your dog. More detailed information on how to prepare is summarized in the extensive guide “On the road with pets”. There you will find further valuable tips, for example on first aid, recommended dog beaches, pet-friendly hotels, or tour operators who specialize in accompanying dogs. Wirkaufendeinauto.de’s entire guide “Travelling with pets – How to travel safely and relaxed” is available to download free of charge.