French Bulldog Travel Tips

Name: Diane
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: French bulldog
From: USA
To: South Africa

Hi,

I was wondering... my dog is up to date with all shots and is healthy. I need to go to South Africa for a month -- will my dog be quarantined when entering South Africa? When we come back to the USA will he be quarantined?

Thanks,

Diane
 

Hi Diane,

There is currently no quarantine requirement for pets entering either of these two countries. You will need to follow each country's entry guidelines, however; here are the pet import requirements for South Africa and here are the pet import requirements for the United States.

When taking a short back-and-forth trip like this, it's important to do your research carefully and help prepare your dog as much as possible. Find out exactly what the airline requires, procure the right travel crate, and plan out all the details regarding health paperwork and vaccines.

Be aware that French Bulldogs are sensitive travelers due to their higher susceptibility to breathing issues caused by stress and high altitudes, so you'll want to talk to your vet about any concerns you have and take every precaution possible to avoid any issues. You can read more about traveling with snub-nosed breeds on our blog. In general we suggest choosing roomy travel crates for snub-nosed pets and helping them to be be as healthy and hydrated beforehand as possible. Be aware that many airlines do not fly snub-nosed breeds.

To be honest, many people who initially plan to bring a pet on an international vacation (especially one who faces particular challenges) soon realize that the financial costs and time demands make it much less simple than they initially thought, and it actually makes more sense to leave the pet at home with a trusted friend or pet sitter. This is a decision to make after speaking to your vet and doing some research about the process.

Hopefully this gives you a few things to think about, Diane. Please let us know if you have any further questions, and good luck with whatever you decide!