Dog friendly houseboat rentals
Houseboat vacations where your dog is always welcome!
Every year, pet owners ask themselves, “What should I do with my beloved dog when I go on vacation?” Well, we have the answer – take your dog with you! You will find no better alternative because with Le Boat, dogs are welcome on ALL our boats. We all know that our furry friends are part of the family too, and a houseboat vacation with everyone on board offers you and your loved ones the chance to explore your surroundings and take a different walk every day. Here is everything you need to know before coming on board for a dog-friendly boating vacation.
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Why take your dog on a boat?
Dogs love boats, and we welcome canine companions on board all of ours. Your dog will love being out on the water and exploring somewhere new every day. You can stop off and explore local pubs and cafés, or moor up and go for lovely walks along the canals or in nearby parks.
Can I take my dog abroad?
Travelers can bring their dog into Canada with a valid rabies vaccination and an animal health certificate. Dogs may enter without a microchip (if over 8 months old).
If you want to travel with your dog to a country in the UK or European Union, your pet will need a valid rabies vaccination and a Pet Passport. If they do not have a Pet Passport, they will need identification with a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination on the same day as, or after, the microchip implantation (21 days prior to entry) as well as a copy of a rabies vaccination certificate and an animal health certificate. If traveling to the UK or Ireland, your pet will also require tapeworm treatment. This must be recorded in your pet’s animal health certificate. Please always check official advice before traveling with your dog.
Where to go on a dog-friendly houseboat vacation?
All of our boat rental destinations are dog friendly, which makes any of our cruising regions perfect for a boating vacation with your furry friend.
Canada – Rideau Canal and Trent-Severn Waterway
The natural landscape of the Rideau Canal and the Trent-Severn Waterways in Canada provides dogs with many trails and parks to enjoy and don’t forget to bring a doggy life-jacket for your pooch to cool off in the pristine lakes.
United Kingdom – The Thames and Caledonian Canal
Over in the United Kingdom, The Thames has many dog-friendly pubs which you and your pooch can enjoy together, plus excellent trails for walks and lovely parks in places such as Windsor. Or your four-legged friend may love exploring the unrivaled scenery of the Scottish Highlands on a trip along the Caledonian Canal.
France – Canal du Midi
If you’re thinking about traveling to countries in the European Union, then the canals of France are excellent for long walks together. The Canal du Midi is a great option: the towpath runs alongside making it the ideal destination to explore on foot with your dog.
The River Shannon, in Ireland, is also home to lots of dog-friendly pubs, as well as fields, gardens and walking paths around lakes just waiting to be explored. Adventures may also await you and your dog in the woods of Mecklenburg and Brandenburg in Germany.
How many pets can I take with me?
A maximum of two dogs are welcome on board each boat. Please refer to our Extras page for pet supplement pricing.
Which boat should I choose?
If you have a small dog that you can carry, then access to any of our boats with your dog shouldn’t be a problem. However, if you have limited mobility, you want to avoid our boats with ‘ladder-style steps, such as the Caprice and Sheba. For those with bigger dogs, you may prefer a boat that is easy for them to jump on and off and has the saloon and cabin on the same level without any stairs. In this case, we recommend Salsa, Tango, Calypso, and all the Vision fleet boats.
Additionally, if you are looking for a boat with a deck shower, please note that only the Vision, Horizon, and Mystique/Royal Mystique boats have deck showers, and these are located at the back end of the boat on the swimming platform.
We suggest you check out our boat pages, examine the images and virtual tours where available, and our sales team are on hand to advise as well.
Tips for a dog-friendly boating vacation
- Bring your dog’s favorite things such as their blanket, favorite toy and water bowl along for the trip, so that they settle in faster
- Being able to have your dog settle in a specified place while underway helps keeps them safe and prevents distracted boat driving. You don’t want your excited pup running about while you’re launching your boat.
- Having a designated spot onboard can also help a more nervous dog feel better about riding on a boat. Invest in a comfortable anti-slip mat or pad that is big enough for your dog to lay down on. Fibreglass non-skid decks may provide a secure footing to you and I, but they can be quite slippery to a dog’s paws.
- Pack a spare towel and a log lead in case they go swimming
- Purchase a doggy life-vest to make sure your dog is safe when paddling.
- Some areas may be protected, and you may have to put your dog on a leash – always check beforehand
- Take plenty of doggy waste bags and paper towels with you on your trip
- Swim, run, jump – on a boating vacation everything is possible, just moor up and let your dog have fun!
Testimonials & further tips
Luna the Yorkshire Terrier
“My name is Luna and I’m a Yorkshire Terrier who loves boating holidays! I joined my family on a cruise in France: it was brilliant! I wore a life vest and was able to move about on the boat during cruising: I took in all the beautiful sceneries and people along the Canal du Midi.
Each morning, I went for a walk along the towpath with my human while the rest of the family enjoyed breakfast on the boat. I also loved running fast along my family while they cycled to the bakery. I immediately felt at home on board and hope to go on another boating holiday very soon!”
With Jackie and Max on the Saône
“Both Jackie and Max quickly felt at home on our Vision. This type of boat turned out to be perfect for letting four-legged friends on and off thanks to the low step at the back.
On the lower deck, both dogs had their favorite spot where they napped for many hours while sailing. On the top deck took it was a pleasure to see Jackie and Max observing their surroundings. They were not at all afraid of this strange environment and moved capably all over the top deck.”
©Peter Soete (Travel Journalist for Roularta Media Group)
Paul Wojnicki, author of France: A Woof Guide
“I’d never let Falco off lead abroad without a pet tracker, I’d hate to think I lost him anywhere let alone a foreign country. Make sure yours has European maps on it, my Garmin has this as standard.”
Read more from Paul in his book, France: A Woof Guide
Looking for more vacation inspiration?
Take a look at all our houseboat rental vacation activities to see what else you could discover on your Le Boat vacation.