Staff abroad

Hi there. Am supposed to be travelling from Folkestone to montreux next week with my staff. Have everything in place but been to vets tonight for health certificate and been informed I may not get to leave the uk. Any advice would be welcome

Hello and welcome.
I presume you are speaking of Montreux in Switzerland and by Staff, your dog is an American Staffordshire terrier ?
Folkestone = Eurotunnel.

AmStaffs are category 2 (if KC registered) or category 1 (if no breed papers) in the BSL dangerous dogs law in France so you will have trouble getting through customs with your dog.
If your dog is in fact a Staffordshire Bull terrier (staffy, stafford) then you could have trouble getting over the border if your dog doesn’t have KC papers …
Not sure about BSL in Switzerland …

Can you give a little more info ?

Yes it’s a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and we are travelling via eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais and then driving onto Switzerland

Ok, it’s easier with a staffy
Does your dog have KC papers and/or is their breed specified as Staffordshire Bull Terrier in their passport ?
Who informed you that you might not get to leave the UK and did they give the reason ?

You need valid passport, up to date vaccinations including rabies.
I’m trying to remember when I took my girls on the Eurotunnel a couple of years ago.
Make sure the chip corresponds to the number in the passport and ensure sticky tape over the rabies vaccine stamp. To get back to the UK, need vet-stamped tapeworm treatment 48h before travelling, I think …

Are you concerned about French or Swiss border control ?

I dont have KC papers but his breed is on his vaccination booklet and health certificate (don’t do passports since brexit). It was the vet who told me he was classed as a dangerous dog. I’m worried about both borders to be honest. He’ll be in a doggy pram when out and I’m trying to get a muzzle on him (although that is proving difficult). He’s had rabies jab in last few weeks, microchip all checked and health certificate signed by vet. I know he needs worming before coming back to uk and that’s all sorted.

In France, KC registered SBT are specifically mentioned as NOT being classed as dangerous breed (category 1 or 2) but for non registered SBT, it’s a bit more ambiguous.

How big is your staffie, how much do they weigh.
Just to see if they could be mistaken for a small AmStaff ?

I know of a breeder who has sold several staffies to Switzerland so they’re not a dangerous breed there either.

Then I’m just concerned about lack of passport as even humans need passport to get in/out of UK since Brexit. Can’t see how it wouldn’t be compulsory for dogs anymore ….
And Switzerland isn’t technically part if the EU and I think they mention passport as compulsory

The recent rabies jab is a booster and not the first one, yes ?
Muzzles - is it a baskerville as they are usually pretty quickly accepted

My staffy is tiny. A bit overweight at 16.2 kg but even at 8 years old he looks about 12 months. I’ll contact kennel club on Monday and hopefully get him registered before Thursday. The rabies is a booster yes and the muzzle is indeed a Baskerville

Quite honestly and from the information you’ve given, I don’t think you’ll have a problem getting into France but I really suggest you check the rules for Switzerland.

I read that you cannot get into Switzerland with a dog which has cropped ears or a docked tail but that shouldn’t be your case !

Check if there are requirements regarding how your dog is travelling in a car. In France they must be attached or in travel case or in boot of estate car but I know Switzerland is very fond of animal rights

Thank you so much

Do let us know how you get on !

PS, muzzle is not compulsory for SBT in France

MJ020671 wrote:My staffy is tiny. A bit overweight at 16.2 kg but even at 8 years old he looks about 12 months. I’ll contact kennel club on Monday and hopefully get him registered before Thursday. The rabies is a booster yes and the muzzle is indeed a Baskerville

I wouldn't bother phoning the KC. For one, they take AGES to answer any queries, but even with that in mind, you can't register a dog retrospectively.

Nifty staffy wrote:
Then I’m just concerned about lack of passport as even humans need passport to get in/out of UK since Brexit. Can’t see how it wouldn’t be compulsory for dogs anymore ….
And Switzerland isn’t technically part if the EU and I think they mention passport as compulsory

UK Pet Passports are no longer valid in the EU. You now need a health certificate...

https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/pets/taking-pets-abroad-after-brexit

Caryll2 wrote:

Nifty staffy wrote:
Then I’m just concerned about lack of passport as even humans need passport to get in/out of UK since Brexit. Can’t see how it wouldn’t be compulsory for dogs anymore ….
And Switzerland isn’t technically part if the EU and I think they mention passport as compulsory

UK Pet Passports are no longer valid in the EU. You now need a health certificate...

https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/pets/taking-pets-abroad-after-brexit

Ah thanks. Another great consequence of the Brexit
And the price !  


Found this
https://www.pettravel.com/immigration/Switzerland.cfm

“Regulations for banned breeds in Switzerland are set at the canton (province) level. Depending on the canton your dog is locating to, the breed restrictions will apply.”
“In Zurich, American Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers are considered high-risk dogs.”
“Dog owners should be prepared to muzzle their dogs when in public places.”