Greetings,
I'm new to this site and hopefully, I'm not stepping out of bounds by posting so early. My basic question could get rather complicated with the answers. I'm hoping so. I would like to know overall, how easy do you think it is to live and travel with dogs in the UK?

I'm an American who has been living in Germany for over three years. This is our second time living overseas. We prefer it actually. We take our two small dogs everywhere when we go on vacation...usually we camp, but small family hotels have accepted them without extra charge or bother. Despite new EU rules, the French and Germans still take their dogs into many of the restaurants and cafes. Places like museums and churches, my husband and I will take turns relaxing with the pooches while the other browses at leisure. Funny how we get talked about by other Americans who assume we cannot understand them. Some good tales there.

Anyway, we might be moving to England in a year or two. We will be likely be looking to rent in the area either around Cambridge or Oxford. How restrictive is it now to take pets around the country? Can you still take your dogs to restaurants or outside cafes (actually, are there any outside cafes these days?) How difficult is it to travel with your dogs in the UK? I'd really love some opinions and comments. BTW, I have read up on all the entrance requirements and there's no problems there.
Thanks much,
Sara

Don't know how difficult it is - I suppose we have the same regulations as Europe now that we are all supposed to be 'Europeans'. I'm looking for a dog friendly hotel in Devon at the moment. Anyone know of one?

Sharon

Sara

Welcome to the group - of course you can post straightaway - it's what we're here for ;-)

As for travelling in the UK with dogs - it's generally very easy. You can't take them into most cafe's restautants etc, but there are a growing number of coffee bars and cafe's with street furniture - dog's would be welcome there. Public transport is usually OK - you pay a small fee for dogs. Living with dogs in the UK - not sure what you mean by that. As long as your home is dog proof - ie dogs can't get out of the garden etc then you have no problems there either - if your dogs are noisy - you might find the neighbours complaining.

There are some dog friendly hotels and guest houses etc. If there's anything else you need to know 0 give us a shout :D

Pam n the boys

Many pubs - especially country pubs accept dogs (but check first) but only in the bar and not in the restaurant.

I was searching for an hotel that would accept a dog last week and two out of the three I enquired at said yes.

Christine

Yes I travell a lot with my Dobe and have done for years.
I find its only the odd pub doesn't accept dogs and most farm bed and breakfasts have no problem with them.

Thanks everyone, you give me some hope and reassurance. Most American coverage of UK dogs over the past 8 years has been in a negative light concerning Banned Breeds, or dogs that tragically resemble them + the tragedies of some quarantined pets. I did manage to see the Channel Five broadcast concerning England and Germany's new dog laws. Also the series that ran concerning "The Dog Whisperer". Unfortunately, C-5 went digital and our connection was permanently severed. Yep, I miss getting a Brit. perspective on world events.

Anyway, I do not know how life is these days for dog owners in England. I just wanted to know how it is these days to own & travel with a dog despite changes in perception and laws. My "girls" are fairly well behaved and never escape the yard. I say "fairly" because my terrier can get really opininated and barky when other dogs pass below her window. I constantly work with her on that. It's just her nature, unfortunately.
We never experienced problems yet, but I worry about blanket negative stereotypes preventing us from finding a home whenever we move. That's one of the primary reasons that we adopted small dogs a long time ago because they are easier to move with.

What kind of dogs do you have? Your concern with blanket stereotypes seeme to point to the fact that you may have SBT's or similiar? The laws in germany are very different to here, and we are still are predominatly animal loving nation. I have an SBT and have no problems taking her on holiday with me, or generally living day to day. I find that devon and cornwall are the dog friendliest holiday type places, many cottage rentals allow dogs, some with extra charge of something like £15 per pet, and many guest houses and b &b's do, best thing is to check with the tourism office of the place you want to be. Otherwise, life in england with dogs is as easy as anywhere else (excluding germany!) and i find that most pubs will allow dags even in the city, as long as its not too POSH!
Good luck, i'm sure you and your dogs will all love it here if you decide to come.

Hi...no staffies or other mis-"stereotyped" breeds.....I just think that over the years, the overseas media has really portrayed UK dog ownership as problematic at best. Probably similar to all of the horror stories that come from the US being blown out of proportion, too. I also get concerned about the actions of other Americans in my community ruining it for other dog owners. Apparently, many who move just abandon their pets out in fields and such over here. Horrible & something that we are trying to fix.

My 'pups' are too funny to cause people to run in fright. Usually, they bring smiles to faces with the way they walk and look. I have a 7 year old 17lb. black Cocker/Chihuahua mix (looks nothing like either breed---more as a well fed & sturdy small whippet with a docked tail--she's very fast). The other is an 8 year old blond 15lb. Doxie/West Highland( Looks like a very petite version of the Pet. Basset Fauve de Bretagne).

Everyone thinks they're still puppies because small mutts are just not that common in Germany. A couple of years ago, while we were biking around Neuschwanstein area with them in rear baskets, a busload of Japanese tourists stopped and emptied to take our pictures as "natives with their dogs." I think of them as ambassidors of puppy good cheer, bringing smiles to everyone they meet.

Despite how good they are, I still have to worry about housing for us everytime we move. It seems that more and more places have the policy of "no pets." And I just wanted to know how England is before I have to pull up roots and figure this out on the run. Thanks much for the encouraging sentiments. :-)
Toodles.

I'm a Canadian now living in UK for 7 years. I find most places MUCH more dog friendly over her than back in North America. Very little problems with eating with them at outdoor restaurants. Lots of Dog Friendly B&B's - a hotel chain (Travel Lodge) who is also dog friendly and charges no extra for having dogs with you - generally they 'say' one, but if you phone the actual hotel before booking and get permission we've never been told we can't have the two.

I find it much easier to travel with dogs here than back home.

Wendy