Orlovia
Endless beaches, which are deserted outside of the high season, invite you to take long walks with your dog. In addition, Denmark is considered dog-friendly and is, therefore, a popular holiday destination for dog owners. However, this image has repeatedly suffered in recent years due to numerous horror stories. A holiday in Denmark with a dog is still a dream – if you pay attention to a few details.
The Most Important Things Summarized
- The Danish dog law caused an outcry among dog owners when it was introduced in 2010 and was therefore made more concrete and relaxed in 2014.
- If you stick to a few rules, Denmark is a true dream destination for a holiday with your four-legged friend.
- There is not only a large number of holiday homes, but Denmark is also a great travel destination for a dog holiday with a mobile home.
Entering Denmark with a Dog
In order for you to be allowed to enter Denmark with your dog, there are a few requirements:
- The animal must have a valid rabies vaccination. At least 3 weeks must have passed after the first vaccination. For a booster vaccination, it is sufficient if your dog is vaccinated one day before the start of the trip.
- Your dog must have an ID chip implanted.
- You must carry an EU pet passport with you.
However, there is an entry ban for 13 dog breeds and mixed breeds that contain parts of these breeds if the dog was born after March 17th, 2010. Older dogs may be brought in with a muzzle on a maximum 2-meter-long leash. Incidentally, the exception does not apply to Pitbulls and Tosa Inus – they are strictly prohibited.
Restrictive Implementation of the Dog Law
Police officers can theoretically confiscate dogs on suspicion. The burden of proof that a dog does not belong to a prohibited breed then lies with the dog owner. In the case of mixed-breed dogs, it is of course hardly possible to prove that it is not a prohibited breed. The list of dogs is as follows:
- Pitbull terrier
- Tosa Inu
- American Staffordshire Terriers
- Fila Brasileiro
- Dogo Argentino (Argentine Mastiff)
- American bulldog
- Boerboel
- Kangal
- Central Asian Ovcharka
- Caucasian Ovcharka
- South Russian Ovcharka
- Tornjak
- Sarplaninac
Ultimately, however, it is not the case that the police are patrolling the beach and checking suspicious dogs. Even if a prohibited animal is introduced unknowingly, the animal no longer has to be euthanized. Instead, the police can simply evict the dog.
Beware of Confusion
Some dog breeds are similar to forbidden animals. Due to the burden of proof on the dog owner, it is important that you carry documentation of the breed. A DNA test is not sufficient – you need pedigree papers. This applies to the following breeds:
- Cao Fila De Sao Miguel
- Tatra Shepherd Dog / Tatrahund / Polski owczarek podhalanski
- Dogue de Bordeaux / Dogue de Bordeaux
- Bullmastiff
- mastiff
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Cane Corsa Italiano
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Dogo Canario
- Anatol Shepherd Dog
- Iberian mastiff
The Dog Act of 2010 and 2014 Respectively
But it is enough if the dog bites and the wound have to be sewn up with a stitch. Then the police can confiscate the animal and have its nature determined by an expert. In the worst case, there is a risk of the animal being euthanized.
In such a case, the dog owner would have to bear the costs of legal action, court, accommodation, and also euthanasia. However, not a single case is known here in which a German holidaymaker had to travel back to Germany alone.
However, the law has already been relaxed somewhat after massive protests erupted after its introduction in 2010. A centuries-old regulation according to which landowners can simply shoot stray dogs has also been dropped. Instead, they must take care of the animal and hand it over to the police if no owner can be found.
It has also been introduced that a bite incident is considered in its entirety and the police must determine whether the bite is by definition a bite wound before there are any consequences.
Observe Leash Obligation
Dogs must be kept on a leash on beaches between April 1st and September 30th. Unlike in Germany, there are hardly any special dog beaches, but the rules apply everywhere – as long as there is no sign indicating an exception. Dogs must be kept on a lead all year round in public places and in forest areas. You should also follow this instruction – a violation costs 270 euros directly.
An exception is special dog forests and dog areas. Here your pet can run around freely all year round, even without a leash.
The Right Accommodation
Many holiday home providers also allow dogs to be accommodated free of charge. This is pleasant for your animal simply because of the more generous space than in a hotel. A fenced outdoor area provides additional freedom when you are not out and about.
But not only for the dog – but a holiday home also offers maximum flexibility for people. Many offers are also equipped with a fireplace and/or a sauna so that there is even a little extra luxury.