Discover Belgium with your dog
Stay in Belgium with your dog!
Belgium is a beautiful country full of surprises for animal lovers. Whether you are on vacation or just passing through the land of the red devils, there are a thousand and one activities to share with your dog in Belgium! Focus on Belgium with a dog!
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In this article, I share with you all the information and tips you need to prepare your trip to Belgium with your dog in peace and without stress. I also share with you good addresses for pet-friendly accommodation and also some activities to do with your dog in Belgium. Wallonia or Flanders: on the way to Belgium with your dog! Prepare to eat fries, waffles and welshs.
So pack your bags and go on an adventure with your dog in Belgium!
Traveling to Belgium with your dog: instructions
Traveling to Belgium with a dog can be a fun and unforgettable experience for you and your four-legged friend. Nevertheless, it is important to plan your trip carefully to ensure your dog's comfort and safety. As for any trip abroad, make sure that your dog has an up-to-date and valid European passport as well as all the vaccines and treatments necessary for its entry into Belgian territory. Your dog will also need to be identified by microchip to have the right to travel to Belgium.
I also advise you to find out about all the local laws and regulations concerning dogs before your trip to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Even if for the member countries of the European Union the rules concerning dogs, cats and ferrets have been homogenized for a few years, it is always good to remember these few rules before going on vacation with your pet.
In addition to the anti-rabies vaccine (compulsory for obtaining a European passport for your dog) and the other compulsory vaccines, you will only be able to travel to Belgium if your dog is over 15 weeks old.
Good to know also, to date no breed of dog is prohibited from entering Belgian territory. There too, the legislation can be changing, these few rules should be checked as often as necessary.
Tips from Musher and Sophie: - " “You can consult all the health rules for traveling to Belgium with your dog here . "
During your stay in Belgium, don't forget to bring enough food and the equipment adapted to the activities you are going to do with your dog as well as his toys so that he can feel at home.
What activities to do in Belgium with your dog?
Do you want to go to the beach? To discover the built heritage? Natural heritage? Going for a hike or just strolling around town with your dog? All these options are possible for your holidays in Belgium with your dog!
Belgium benefits from a heritage and landscapes as diverse as they are varied; you are bound to find something interesting to visit or do with your dog there!
Let's start with the beaches accessible to dogs in Belgium. Belgium has huge white sand beaches on which you can walk with your dog with your feet and paws in the water! And in Belgium, even in the middle of summer, the risk of a heat wave is lower, so the beach is accessible all year round. Your dog will appreciate these mild temperatures rather than the sometimes numbing temperatures of the Côte d'Azur.
Here are a few :
- The beaches of Oostduinkerke in Koksijde : three beaches are accessible to dogs kept on a leash in the municipality of Koksijde and this throughout the year!
- The beaches of De Panne : divided into three distinct areas, the beaches of De Panne take turns welcoming your dogs on a leash. The periods authorized for dogs are all clearly indicated at the entrance to each area.
- Knokke beach : this beach is accessible from October 16th to March 14th included for the greatest happiness of your dogs. The rest of the year, the beach remains accessible from 21 p.m. to 9 a.m.
There are also many lakes and ponds in Belgium! The best for canoeing with your dog, paddleboarding, rowing or even pedal boating! Audrey and Layla have tested the CapFun canoe and paddle rental on the Eau d'Heure lake. Marie and Lola, for their part, tested the kayak rental at Semois-Kayaks on the Semois at Poupehan.
Tips from Musher and Sophie: - " Don't forget the safety jacket of your dog! I suggest several here. "
In terms of built heritage, Belgium is not to be outdone either! In particular, you can visit with your dog:
- The Citadel of Namur ;
- Fort de Huy ;
- The Domain of the Three Fountains in Vilvoorde;
- The Provincial Estate of Huizingen in Brussels ;
- The Domain of Palogne in the Belgian Ardennes
We have also identified some castles, museums, gardens or other places to visit marked as “pets allowed” on the website of Visit Wallonia :
- Castle of Lavaux-Sainte-Anne in Rochefort
- The hydraulic lifts of the Canal du Center
- Domain of the Caves of Han and the Prehiohan
- La Ferme du Caillou, Napoleon's last headquarters in Vieux-Genappe
- Ruins of the feudal castle of La Roche-en-Ardenne
- Cistercian Abbey of Aulne in Gozée
- Beloeil Castle
- Espace Chimay in Bourlers
- Reinhardstein Castle
- Topiary garden in Durbuy
- The TTA – Tourist tramway from Aisne to Erezée
- the Caves of Neptune in Petigny
- La Ferme d'Hougoumont, high place of the Battle of Waterloo 1815
- descent of the Lesse by kayak or canoe
- tourist train of the Chemin de Fer du Bocq
- Reinhardstein Castle
- ……
Before planning your visit to the site, call each of these monuments to check that your dog will be able to accompany you without problem. There may be restrictions on the sizes of dogs accepted or on the conditions of visit. We don't have very specific information to share with you because no Wouafer's shared their experience with us on site!
Finally, for the more sporty Wouafer's, you can also enjoy many sporting activities to share with your dog. Hiking, cani-cross, cani-trail, cani-mountain biking... There's something for everyone!
Let's start with Herbeumont trail station presented to us by our Dog'Reporters Céline and her pack, who are fanatics of all kinds of canine sports! You can also follow all their craziest adventures on their Instagram account @the_nordic_squad
In Wallonia you can also find lots of great hikes to do with your dog like these:
- Hike to the Tombeau du Géant, 13 km long and along the Semois, which I told you about a little earlier. The departure is from the town of Botassart for a great walk in the middle of nature;
- A slightly shorter hike now: that of the Wéris Forest which will guarantee you a change of scenery and magical encounters with your dog! ;
- Finally, a little more folkloric, a hike on the Sentier de l'Étrange with your dog allows you to discover the folk history of Ellezell. Too wow, isn't it?
On the nature side, we can also mention these other dog-friendly places:
- the Wood of Dreams in Ottignies,
- the Royal Park of Laeken in Brussels,
- Haute Combine National Park (100% nature area),
- the forest of Soignes,
- the Dog's Factory playground in Braine l'Alleud,
- Kayaks "Les Remous" in Hamoir for trips on the Ourthe,
- Hulpe Park,
- the pond of the island De Balokken,
- The Provincial Estate De Gavers.
The belgiantrain website gives some details about these dog-friendly places here.
Tips from Musher and Sophie: – ” Don't forget to equip yourself well before going on a hike! Pack bag, first aid kit, protective slippers, harness, leave alone, billy… So much essential equipment for a hike in complete safety and with complete peace of mind!”
Where to stay in Belgium with your dog?
Whether you are leaving for Liège or Bruges or even Brussels, dog-friendly accommodation with the label QUALIDOG will be accessible to you and you will be sure to be Wouafement Welcome with your dog!
And don't forget, if you can't find accommodation that suits you or suits your holiday plans, you can always book on one of our partner sites by ticking the “Pets/dogs allowed” box. But be careful all the same to check directly with the establishment that your dog(s) will be accepted without worries!
Here are some of the pet-friendly and labeled accommodations QUALIDOG where you can book for your next holiday in Belgium with your dog:
Visiting Belgium with your dog really seems like Too W'ouf and we can't wait to go for a ride with Musher!
We hope you want to discover all its landscapes and wonders without forgetting, of course, its beautiful gastronomy! Ah fries and chocolate… I'm already dreaming about them!
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Read also
- Think of Belgium for your holidays with your dog!
- A weekend near Liège in Belgium with 4 dogs: funny story in a mansion!
- Trail with your dog: the Herbeumont trail station in Belgium.
Traveling with a dog
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Book among the QUALIDOG-labeled accommodation for your holidays
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