Going on vacation with a category 1 or 2 dog
To bring you a comprehensive and informative article, I interviewed Eva, president of the Gueules d'Anges association. This article is aimed at owners of so-called "dangerous" dogs, but also at anyone who is curious. EmmèneTonChien.com works to give everyone the right to go on vacation with their pet. Here, there's no discrimination based on appearance; a dog is a dog!
In this article, you'll find all the information you need to plan a truly wonderful holiday with your Rottweiler or other big-hearted breed. Traveling with these dogs is subject to strict regulations in public spaces, which somewhat limits your holiday options… Let's take a closer look at what this means in practice.
The Gueules d'Anges association
Let me introduce you to the Gueules d'Anges association, with whom I co-authored this article. Founded in 2015, the association fights against the negative image associated with so-called "dangerous" dogs. This association has now established itself in the animal protection movement, and its voice is being heard. The association organizes numerous events such as themed walks, games to share with your dog, photo shoots, and fun and sporty days. It also provides advice and training.
Their mission is to rehabilitate these breeds in people's lives and dispel the prejudice of "vicious dogs." It's a daily struggle led by a handful of volunteers supported by over 15,000 people on Facebook, as well as celebrities, associations, brands, and increasingly, the press. The community is made up of owners of dogs classified as dangerous breeds , but not only! There are all sorts of dogs: Labradors, Nordic breeds, Spitz, Chinese Crested, and also other breeds that are victims of prejudice based on their appearance, such as Bulldogs , Boxers , Cane Corsos , and Bull Terriers …
Eva, the president of the association
Eva, a filmmaker by trade, has been passionate about animals since she was very young. Her job allows her to combine her two passions: video and animals. She has always been drawn to so-called "dangerous" dogs and, of course, adopted Iron as soon as she could. She was quickly confronted with the sad reality: these dogs have a truly terrible image. Out of ignorance or misunderstanding, people are afraid of them and condemn them in advance. It was while making a video to show just how wonderful these dogs can be that the association was born. I recommend you watch these beautiful images: https://youtu.be/Czln1J4Mf2M . Water rescue, therapy for the elderly or sick, assistance for children with disabilities, rescue in rubble, or simply a companion: these images will remind you that they are dogs just as wonderful as any other, whether they are classified as Category 1 or Category 2!
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So-called “dangerous” dogs – Category 1 and 2
Category dogs are dogs that have been put in “boxes” following the behavior of certain irresponsible humans. Here are the details of these 2 categories with the prohibitions and obligations relating to each for each type of dog.
Category 1: SO-CALLED attack dogs
These are not purebred dogs, but crossbreed dogs. They can be related morphologically to the following breeds: Staffordshire terrier or American Staffordshire terrier (dogs called pit bulls), Mastiff (dogs called boer bulls) and Tosa.
Prohibitions:
– Purchase, sale, donation, importation, and introduction into France are prohibited. Anyone who acquired an attack dog before the implementation of the regulations on dangerous dogs in 2010 must hold a permit . If the dog is less than 8 months old, a temporary permit is issued.
– Prohibition of access to public transport, in public places and in premises open to the public, outside the public highway.
– Prohibition to stay in the common areas of apartment buildings.
Obligations :
– Mandatory sterilization for males and females, attested by a veterinary certificate.
– Obligation to be muzzled and kept on a leash by an adult on public roads and in the common areas of apartment buildings.
– Obligation to have an identification card issued by the central canine society (SCC) or the I-CAD company
Category 2: SAID guard or defense dogs
These are dogs of the Staffordshire terrier or American Staffordshire terrier, Rottweiler, Tosa or assimilated by their morphological characteristics to dogs of the Rottweiler breed, without being registered with the LOF.
Obligations :
Guard and defense dogs must be muzzled and kept on a leash by an adult on public roads, in public transport, in public places and, more generally, in premises open to the public, in common areas of buildings. collectives. You must also have the identification card issued by the central canine society (SCC) or the I-CAD society.
The relevant legislation for these dogs can be found here: https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1839
And for the holidays, how does it go?
All dogs have the right to go on vacation with their masters! Whether they have the look of a hound or that of a little dog to his mother, no difference. For these dogs who suffer from the gaze of people, it will however be necessary to respect the legal obligations and prohibitions in public places and to behave with respect in private places, as with another type of dog!
A quick aside at this point in the article: if you are a tourist accommodation manager (gîte, campsite, hotel, etc.) and you have questions about welcoming these animals, you can read our additional article on the pro blog Category 1 & 2 dogs: can we accommodate them? Here you'll find answers to all your questions about categorized dogs. If you own a category 1 or 2 dog, this article will also help you better understand why your pooches aren't accepted everywhere. Dogs in certain categories are subject to strict rules in France.
These constraints unfortunately make it difficult to welcome them in many places, even when the establishment would like to be able to accept them. It is therefore not always a choice of the campsite, the hotel or the gîte but the respect of a regulation to which everyone is bound even if it sometimes seems unfair because I know, your dogs are well educated 🙂
Transport
Airplane, train, bus: only category 2 dogs are allowed there but muzzled (as for all other breeds that cannot be worn; as a reminder). Be careful, some airlines refuse them, you have to look at their conditions: if nothing is written for category dogs, nothing prevents their presence. Despite everything, the easiest way to travel with these types of dogs is obviously the car.
Hosting
For accommodation, category 1 dogs are only allowed in private accommodation such as cottages or bed and breakfasts. Category dogs are allowed everywhere on the sole condition that the host accepts their presence. On Emmenetonchien.com, our hosts have taken care to let you know if these types of dogs are welcome in their home: it will make your life easier!
Quickly discover all the accommodation listed on emmeneTonChien.com that accepts category 1 and 2 dogs.
Campsites that accept categorized dogs
Categorized dog-friendly hotels
Holiday villages that accept categorized dogs
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Unusual rentals that accept categorized dogs
Discover ALL vacation accommodations that accept categorized dogs.
Abroad
Category 1 dogs are not allowed to travel abroad. Category 2 dogs can theoretically travel abroad but it all depends on the country and what the law says about these dogs. You will need to inquire in more detail with the country's embassy, tourist offices and the country's laws.
Activity during the holidays
In public places, category 1 dogs are prohibited, which will considerably limit your possibilities. Category 2 dogs are accepted, muzzled and kept on a leash. On the beach, at the market or on a hiking trail, be sure to respect these obligations to avoid annoyance and derogatory remarks. Your dog may be adorable, his mouth does not play in his favor so respect the rules of the game! We hope that one day the association Gueules d'Anges will manage to make everyone understand that a dog is a dog and that the coat does not make the monk! Behind each categorized dog does not hide a dragon hungry for fresh flesh as we say. And if there are exceptions, they are due to the education that the dog has received and not to its breed. And I even want to say to the “training” he received: and this word makes a hell of a difference!
👋 Musher's great deal
Dog food, supplies, grooming, vacations… the cost of a dog can quickly add up. So, with Musher, we created the Advantage Card : the very first card that brings together useful discounts to save you money all year round, on everyday expenses or vacations. 💸 See the 34 available discounts
Documents to have with you
When you go on vacation with your dog, you must take his health record and his identification card with you (we remind you that your dog must be vaccinated so he necessarily has an identification card). For category 1 and 2 dogs, you must have your detention permit with you. The permit includes insurance, declaration to the town hall, identification number, behavioral test and aptitude training.
Tips to make it easier to leave
Going on vacation with a category 1 or 2 dog is more complicated than going with another dog. Many people think that you can't go on vacation with your category dog: the Gueules d'Anges association wanted to prove them wrong by organizing a first trip to the sea last summer.
Ready for the holidays? A little tip: on EmmèneTonChien.com, you can filter accommodation, activities, etc. to display only those that accept your categorized doggies.
In any case, owners of categorized dogs, lovers of these breeds, lovers of dogs in general, I invite you to visit the association's Facebook page to discover all the big-hearted mastiffs and their website.
ALSO READ : Hiking with your dog isn't something you can just wing!, What should your dog's first-aid kit contain?, Taking your dog to the beach: some precautions to take
You can also check out the guide I created on dog training!
4 Reviews
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Great! I have a 1-year-old rotote, so a category 2 dog, thank you for your site, I can take my dog on vacation, no more hassle because of his category. A huge thank you
Thank you to the whole team for your work! It's so hard to find accommodation that accepts categorized dogs... Our little Rottweiler is so adorable! With so many refusals, your help is essential!! Thanks again 🙂
Finally, people who really love all our faithful four-legged friends without prejudice... Thanks to your site, finding my vacation spot with my children and my rottweiler will make my task easier. Fortunately, there are still people who see beyond appearances... WELL DONE and thank you again.
Thank you for your site because a category dog on vacation is complicated.