Boating Holidays with Dogs

dog_life_jacket A boating holiday can be the perfect way of taking a relaxing break with your dog. Towpaths through unspoilt countryside make for perfect dog walking and because our boats travel at only 6km per hour it’s not difficult to keep up if you and your dog feel like stretching your legs.

At Le Boat we welcome dogs onboard all of our boats. Thanks to the Pet Passport scheme you can now take your dog on holidays in France in addition to cruising routes in the UK. Our helpful sales team can supply details of vets local to our overseas bases for the vaccinations that are required before travelling home.

Some of the most popular cruising routes for those travelling with dogs include:

Norfolk Broads
Scotland
The Thames
Brittany
Loire & Burgundy

Click here to read our feature in Your Dog magazine where a Doberman and Terrier took a boating holiday on the Norfolk Broads.

Below are some helpful pieces of information to make travelling with your dog easier:

Before you go…

Remember to bring your dogs bedding, food, water bowls, poo bags and grooming equipment as well as towels in case he accidentally takes a dip.
Take your dog’s collar, including waterproof ID, and lead as there will be places where you may need to keep him under close control for his own safety. We recommend taking a spare lead in case you lose one overboard.
Invest in a dog life jacket in case your dog accidentally goes overboard. Most marine stores sell these or buy one online. River banks and canal sides are often sheer. Most dog life jackets have a handle, so it’s easier to get hold of him and lift him out safely as he’ll be unlikely to get back on the boat unaided.
Buy you dog life jacket in advance of your holiday. Most dogs don’t object to wearing one but if you buy it in advance your dog will have plenty of time to accustom themselves to it.

When on holiday…

Discourage your dog from drinking river or canal water. Make sure clean drinking water is available at all times onboard and off.
Put your dog on his lead when entering locks and mooring for their own safety.
Don’t allow your dog to disturb wildlife.
Take care when meeting other towpath users, especially cyclists.
Scoop the poop! As in the UK, rural areas of France may not have bins so you may need to keep bags on deck until you reach one.