Traveling Europe with a Dog: Dachshund Travel Interview

I’m Stacy, and along with my husband, Donny, we’re a couple living in Charlotte, North Carolina who recently traded in our safe, settled lifestyle for a year of nomadic adventures across Europe. Sadie is our long-haired dachshund who just hit her big five-year birthday milestone in February.

Meeting a bit later in life, we’ve shied away from the traditional life journey. Instead, we’ve focused on building unforgettable moments through experiences. We have been fortunate enough to build these memories with Sadie. She quickly became a true heartbeat in our family.

Sadie is our “COVID puppy,” and she’s been a bit of an anxious soul since we brought her home at nine weeks. Having always had very outgoing dachshunds in the past, she’s the first shy-mannered one who I’ve had to really adapt to.

She loves fiercely, and she’s very selective with sharing that love. There are really only about three other people she truly likes, including her Grandma in New Jersey. She also avoids other dogs like it’s her job, with the exception of her boyfriend Chevy, a mini-Goldendoodle she’s known since they were both puppies.

When she was a puppy, it was a struggle to even get her to walk outside the apartment — she would just try to hide. But after a lot of training and plenty of pep talks, she finally found her confidence and loves her walks now.

In our neighborhood, people have always just wanted to pet her, but she’s very wary of strangers. The one exception is when she’s in her DJANGO pet backpack carrier; being at eye level seems to act like a security blanket and calms her down, and that’s the only time she’s truly comfortable letting new people pet her.

She loves going out to all the fun local breweries with us and it feels like she’s a bit of a celebrity with all the attention she attracts.

Interestingly, she isn’t your typical burrowing dachshund; she actually prefers tight, snug spaces where she feels tucked in, like a cozy little burrito.

She also has a sixth sense for the kitchen; even if she’s sound asleep, the second she hears the fridge open, it’s game on. She’ll come running to wait for her absolute favorite treat — whipped cream!

One of her funniest quirks is that she thinks every bench we pass is meant specifically for her; we sat on so many together when she was a puppy in Charlotte that she still tries to jump on every single one she encounters. It’s now a little game out here in Europe and we still try to uphold the tradition!

Sometimes we both think we’re completely crazy for doing this!

But for me, it really goes back to a childhood love of European history. I grew up with my nose in books about these places, dreaming of the day I’d finally see them in person.

I’ve also always lived life a bit unconventionally — I finished my degree and married a bit later than my friends — and it took me some time to realize that life isn’t a race and it’s okay to be on my own timeline.

Donny and I are both naturally adventurous and we love doing things a little differently, so this leap felt like a natural fit for us. Including Sadie was a no-brainer. She’s a central part of our life, and our European trip wouldn’t feel complete without her.

The timing finally worked out when our lease ended in late 2025. Rather than signing a new one, we spent months purging our belongings and getting everything into storage, clearing the way so we could fully commit to this year abroad.

Absolutely, 100 percent. Losing my dad completely changed who I am as a person.

He was only 57 when he passed, and seeing the hardships he went through made me realize that the future is never guaranteed. I vowed to do the things he always wanted to do but never got the chance to—I didn’t want to wait until retirement to travel and then find I no longer had the opportunity.

I try to squeeze every drop out of the present because you just never know what tomorrow will bring.

Donny and I realized that we are young and healthy right now, and if we didn’t take this leap today, we weren’t sure we’d ever actually do it. We didn’t want to look back with “what ifs”.

Being on this journey now with Donny and Sadie feels like a way to honor that spirit of adventure and make sure we’re living life to the fullest while we can.

I’m a researcher by nature, so I actually found the challenge of moving Sadie across the Atlantic to be rewarding!

My first step was visiting the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) website to look up the specific requirements for our first country of entry. Every European Union (EU) nation can have slightly different regulations, so it is vital to understand the rules for your specific “port of entry” before doing anything else.

Since we weren’t sure at the start which European country we were flying into, we had to review a few different country’s regulations, and once we finally selected France as our first country of entry, we had a solid game plan.

I did a lot of homework on veterinarians. I discovered that every vet has different requirements and costs for handling USDA paperwork, as some handle it in-house while others use third-party companies to ensure there are no hiccups.

I contacted many vets to compare their procedures and eventually chose a USDA-accredited veterinarian in New Jersey (our departure state) who worked with a third-party company. They acted as a second set of eyes, assisting in sending the paperwork to the USDA and ensuring all requirements were met.

To make the paperwork for France as simple and clear as possible, we actually opted to give Sadie a one-year rabies vaccine (when she was due for it), even though she had previously received a three-year booster. We wanted zero confusion for the customs officials.

We began our prep about six months out to ensure her microchip was ISO-compliant and that her rabies vaccination was perfectly documented. We kept the microchip number easily accessible and ready to share when needed.

It is important to understand that the process is actually two separate steps. First, the paperwork is filled out by a USDA-accredited veterinarian. Then, that paperwork must be sent to the USDA to be officially endorsed and signed before being shipped back to you prior to your flight.

The stressful moment is the 10-day window.The stressful moment is the 10-day travel window. The health certificate timing has to line up closely with your arrival in the EU, and the USDA endorsement and return shipping must be completed before your flight.

Because there was so much going on with moving and putting our lives in storage, I actually scheduled our vet appointment about two months before our flight just to ensure I didn’t forget such a critical deadline.

Those few months prior were definitely chaotic both with work and prepping for this move. We set the appointment for exactly 10 days prior to our departure to give the USDA as much time as possible to process the endorsement.

This was the most nerve-wracking part of the trip. Because we were planning during a government shutdown, we were terrified the paperwork wouldn’t be returned in time.

To minimize any risk, we were given a FedEx pre-paid return label for the endorsement because we knew USPS wouldn’t be as reliable. It’s an incredibly tight turnaround, which is why we worked with experts. Without that endorsed certificate, she simply wouldn’t have been allowed on the plane.

I spent a lot of time researching in-cabin carriers and aircraft specifications. We flew with French Bee, and I looked at the specific aircraft we were flying to check the seat pitch and width.

My research actually saved us from a major mistake: I learned that you can’t sit in bulkhead seats when traveling with a pet, as there is no place to stow the carrier. I also found that many airlines don’t allow pets in-cabin in Business or First Class, so we opted for Premium Economy, which gave us more space while meeting safety requirements.

We called the airline before booking to confirm their in-cabin pet policy and learned we could add Sadie’s ticket (an additional $125) at the same time we booked our own. We intentionally opted for flexible tickets. We knew that if the shutdown or a paperwork hiccup prevented Sadie from flying, we needed to be able to shift our flights without a financial penalty.

It was incredibly nerve-wracking waiting for the USDA paperwork to arrive. Luckily, the shutdown ended just a few days before our flight. Our departure was on a Sunday, and we finally received our endorsed health certificate on Friday — just two days before takeoff!

Navigating the United Kingdom (UK) was its own unique challenge. Since Brexit, the UK has stricter regulations than the EU. A huge tip for travelers: dogs are not allowed to fly in-cabin from the EU to the UK; they are only allowed to fly in cargo.

We originally planned a trip to Ireland, but once we realized the flight logistics and taking a ferry across was too much effort time-wise, we pivoted to England and Scotland.

Because we had a lot of luggage, we researched various transport options before opting for a pet transportation service. They picked us up in Paris and drove us to London via Le Shuttle. We had to visit a vet in France no more than five days before arrival for a mandatory deworming treatment.

Because we were so prepared, the check-in at the pet counter before heading under the English Channel was a total breeze!

There were several things that truly caught me by surprise. The biggest one was the microchip-rabies timeline.

Sadie already had both, but I didn’t realize that for the paperwork to be valid, the microchip must be scanned or implanted on or before the day the rabies shot is given. If the vet records the rabies shot first and then the microchip, the EU won’t recognize that vaccination as valid for travel. We had to double-check her records.

One of the most surprising things I learned at the very end was that your signature as the owner is required on the actual endorsed USDA health certificate. Even after the vet signs it and the USDA endorses it, if you haven’t signed the declaration section, the document is considered incomplete. It’s a tiny detail that could cause a huge problem at the gate!

The government shutdown was the ultimate curveball. You can plan every medical detail perfectly, but you can’t control the government! Luckily, it didn’t impact us on this trip, but we definitely stressed about it enough.

Finding the right airline-friendly pet carrier was a massive challenge. Because Sadie is a long-haired dachshund, we needed a bag that accommodated her length without being so tall that it wouldn’t fit under an airplane seat.

It involved a lot of research, buying various models, and sending back the ones that didn’t work until we finally found the perfect fit. Of course we had the measurements the airline gave us, but it was still not as easy as you’d think. I also had to spend a lot of time making sure we had the right seats, since pets aren’t allowed in certain areas of the plane.

The actual packing for the flight felt like preparing for a newborn! We brought everything: wet wipes, a small portable fan, paper towels, extra food, food/water bowls, treats, a familiar blanket, and a few pee pads in the carrier.

One specific tip: bring a chew for takeoff and landing for ear pressure, and always pack a plastic grocery bag. Sadie ended up vomiting on the flight, and having those cleaning supplies ready in our carry-on turned a potentially stressful disaster into a quick, quiet cleanup at 30,000 feet.

I also did some research on where the pet relief areas were in both airports and took screenshots of where they were located. That proved to be really helpful, especially after landing in Paris.

If I could give one piece of advice, it’s this: prepare for the logistics as much as possible, but pack the “what-ifs” because you never know what will happen once that cabin door closes!

Our journey started in late November, right before Thanksgiving, which was the perfect time to catch the opening of the holiday season. We spent most of the time exploring the markets in the Alsace region of France and western Germany, and it was everything we hoped for.

Strasbourg and Colmar were both stunning! Strasbourg, often called the “Capital of Christmas,” was breathtaking with incredible decorations everywhere you looked. Colmar felt like a fairytale come to life with its half-timbered houses and canals, with amazing light shows.

We actually stayed right in the heart of Petite Venise, and one of our favorite memories was being able to watch a children’s choir singing with Santa on boats in the canal (with Sadie watching too!) right from our accommodations. It was incredibly special.

We made a point to take Sadie to the markets during the day when they were less crowded, which made the experience more enjoyable and less overwhelming for her.

The second highlight—and a major adventure for Sadie—was the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market near Hinterzarten, Germany. This was the only market where we had to buy tickets in advance, and they sell out incredibly fast.

To reach it, we went on a torch-lit hike through the Black Forest. It was a cold trek, but there was no snow yet, so Sadie stayed warm and cozy in her DJANGO backpack the entire way.

Emerging from the woods to see the market tucked directly underneath a 100-foot-tall stone railroad trestle was breathtaking. By the end of the evening, it had started to rain, so we were very glad we had booked the shuttle bus back to our starting point. It’s a memory we’ll always cherish!

While France and Germany are wonderful, I have to say that the UK has been the gold standard for dog-friendly travel. The level of integration for pets into daily life here is incredible. Most shops, pubs, and restaurants have dog-friendly stickers or signs in the windows, and you’ll find that most shops have dog water bowls set out.

In England – York, Oxford, and Lincoln have been absolute standouts. Scotland was another super dog-friendly country.

In York, dogs are welcomed into the majority of shops, pubs, and restaurants, which made exploring the historic Shambles feel so inclusive. Similarly, Edinburgh was incredibly dog-friendly; we never felt limited in where we could go.

Another major highlight was Lincoln, where we were shocked to find that the Lincoln Cathedral was dog-friendly. Sadie actually came on a tour with us through a church built in 1068!

The seaside town of Whitby England was also a total dachshund haven—I’ve never seen so many fellow weens in one place! Sadie joined us for a pub lunch, a visit to a local brewery, a 7th-century monastery that inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and an afternoon of shopping.

Beyond the UK, Lausanne, Switzerland was another standout for its incredible infrastructure. They have garbage cans all over the city with built-in dispensers for poop bags. It was such a small but incredible detail that shows how much they value pet owners.

Yes, it absolutely has been our experience so far!

In France and Germany, it’s completely normal to see a dog curled up under a table inside a nice restaurant or a cozy café. They aren’t just “tolerated”; they are welcomed guests.

In the UK, the pub culture is incredibly inclusive—we’ve walked into historic pubs in York, Edinburgh, and Oxford and seen dogs everywhere. Some of the signs always make me laugh since they’re like “Dogs welcome (with well-behaved humans)” or “Dogs are welcome, children are tolerated”.

Dog bowls outside pubs and restaurants make it inviting and welcoming. So many restaurants even have their own “Dog bar” with fresh water, bowls, and copious amounts of treats set up.

It makes life so much easier when you don’t have to plan your entire day around when you need to go back to the accommodations. I’m so in love with this dog-centric culture! Maybe one day, the U.S. will get there.

The transit is also seamless; Sadie has traveled on trains in Paris, Lyon, Belgium, Germany, London, Manchester, and Switzerland, and while some rail lines charge a fee for larger dogs, small dogs have been free as long as she’s in her DJANGO backpack.

Beyond the logistics, the cultural attitude is so refreshing. If Sadie lets out a little bark on a train, people never get frustrated; instead, they usually respond with “oohs,” “ahhs,” and plenty of pets! We’ve even caught people snapping photos of her in her bag and they love it!

However, it’s important to note that dogs aren’t allowed everywhere. Most historical sites, churches, formal gardens, and castles are off-limits for pets.

We’ve made it a point to visit those spots without Sadie, but we always look for ways to include her in the fairytale moments. In the UK, there are so many public footpaths (even near historical sights) where dogs are allowed. Certain times of the year, they just need to be on-lead due to livestock grazing.

Something that stood out for us included an unforgettable stay in a castle: Melville Castle Hotel outside of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is hands-down the most dog-friendly place we’ve stayed.

Since it’s a historic castle turned hotel, dogs are allowed literally everywhere guests are allowed. Sadie played pool with us, joined us for dinner, and even relaxed at the bar while we had drinks.

The staff went above and beyond, giving her a doggie bag filled with gifts and treats. The castle grounds also have the most magical walking trails that we all enjoyed. Being able to live out that castle dream with Sadie by our side made the experience so much better!

The DJANGO backpack carrier has truly been a game-changer for us and has given Sadie a safe sanctuary.

Since we often explore for most of the day, and Sadie being a “low rider,” we are very conscious of not pushing her physical limits.

Her demeanor actually changes when she’s in the pack; she feels more confident at eye level, transforming from an anxious dog to a perched observer.

It gives us more freedom to do the things we want to do and gives us peace of mind since she’s with us and not staying home alone in the accommodation.

The backpack has truly been our “boarding pass” for navigating Europe’s transit and rugged terrain.

In busy train stations, it allows us to keep our hands free for directions and tickets while Sadie stays safe from the danger of being stepped on in crowds. Most stations have wide access gates that let us walk right through without even taking the pack off.

Once on the train, we can place the backpack directly on the table or on our laps so she can watch the countryside (or city) go by at our level.

We always bring the DJANGO backpack for our city adventures now; it’s become an essential part of our routine.

Plus, we quickly discovered that Sadie absolutely hates walking on cobblestones, so the bag is a lifesaver for those historic European roads!

Yes! It has been a huge component in our outdoor adventures.

In the Isle of Skye, Edinburgh, and the Black Forest, we tackled some amazing hikes involving rock scrambling, rough terrain, and stream crossings that simply wouldn’t have been safe for her on a lead.

I often catch her looking down at other dogs walking while she’s being carried with a “haha, I’m up here and you’re not” expression!

Whenever we put the bag on the ground, she immediately tries to jump back in because she knows it means another adventure is starting.

Sadie has always liked being in cozy, confined places, so getting her used to the backpack was actually a breeze!

When she was younger, we used a different type of carrier where she had to sit vertically, which is really not ideal for long-bodied dogs because of the strain on their backs.

With the DJANGO backpack, it fits her long body perfectly, and you can see right away how much more relaxed she is sitting horizontally.

She caught on almost immediately.

At first, we put a few treats just outside the roll-back windows so she knew exactly where to peek her head out, and she mastered that pretty quickly!

Now, she actually lets us know when she’s ready to be carried. If she’s tired of walking (or just starts walking super slowly), she’ll jump up on our legs to signal us that she’s backpack ready.

We’re incredibly excited for the South of France and Italy!

Donny and I absolutely loved the Côte d’Azur and Provence when we visited for our honeymoon, and we’ve wanted to share that magic with Sadie ever since.

We just know she’s going to love the rolling countryside walks, visits to the lavender fields in Provence and the beach strolls along the French Riviera.

Sadie absolutely loves the beach; she has this hilarious habit of wanting to sit in a beach chair just so she can observe everything and everyone around her.

I’ve also heard that Italy is so dog-friendly that some stores even have special grocery carts designed for dogs to sit in, so I am genuinely looking forward to having her join me for a grocery run!

We also can’t wait to take her through Florence, Venice, and Naples to soak up all the old, historical sights — at least as many as they’ll let us explore with a pup.

After a busy first five months, we’re ready to embrace the warmth and history of the Mediterranean with our little family unit by our side.