Dogs

Fines for owners of dogs found out alone in south-west France

In one case, the same dog has been picked up five times in one week, authorities say

Reader experiences: Travelling to France with dogs

Four dog owners tell The Connexion about their struggles since Brexit

Dog thefts on rise in France: what breeds are being targeted and where

More than 20,000 dogs were reported as lost nationwide in 2023

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DNA of pet dogs to be used to trace mess on streets in village near Nice

The town in Alpes-Maritimes already spends €25,000 a year to clean it up

Owner finds his two missing dogs in France 300km apart, 10 years on

He now believes that the golden Labradors were stolen in 2014

Shepherd defends role of patou dogs after hiker calls for rescue

Wolves are not the problem - tourists need to respect nature, says shepherd Raymond Riera

Alain Delon’s dog will not be euthanised and buried with him

The late actor had said he wanted ‘to go together’ but animal welfare associations expressed alarm at the wishes

Fake rescue workers snatch dogs on walks in southern France

The pets are being forcibly stolen as owners walk them, by people in a van pretending to be from an animal welfare association

Helicopter rescues hiker in Alps after ‘patou’ dogs attack

The woman was rescued after calling the police and taking refuge in a tree

‘Traumatised’: Patou dogs attack puppy and owner in car park in Alps

‘My dog was on a lead,’ says the man. The farmer who owns the two Patous says the guard dogs may have been overwhelmed by the soaring numbers of visiting tourists

Woman loses pet dog in France - then finds it in Portugal

The dog went missing from the garden and was later presumed dead

Stray dogs to be shot after sheep attacks in southern France

But animal welfare campaigners say the dogs should be taken to shelters instead

Dog owners in France launch petition over ban on dogs not on leads

‘It is urgent and vital that our dogs can get back a bit of freedom,’ they say, after town brings in a fine of up to €450 for non-compliance

‘Book about life with my dog touched so many people’

We speak to Cédric Sapin-Defour, author of the surprise bestseller which describes in lyrical language the relationship between him and his dog, Ubac

Unmuzzled dog on train in France sparks complaint

A former MP complained about the Golden Retriever on social media, saying a ticket inspector and other passengers failed to tackle the owner

Do I risk fine if I walk my dog off-lead in France?

Dogs must remain on-lead in certain circumstances, including where you are walking, and the breed of dog you own

French dog owner gets €10,000 bill over rescue of pet stuck in pipe

The Jack Russell had been missing for two days but was eventually found by another dog

How to become a guide dog trainer in France

The dogs tend to be Golden or Labrador Retrievers as these breeds are known for their good-natured demeanour and ability to be trained effectively

1,104 dog owners in French town give pet DNA so mess can be traced

Police have begun to check the area in Béziers for dogs not on the DNA database with fines to follow

Couple find €400,000 on a walk in southern France - they can keep half

Their dog unearthed a metal box containing a stash of bank notes. The original owner cannot be traced and has not come forward

Positive news from France: our pick of feel good stories

We look at how a golden retriever is helping children to read more confidently, a boy who saved his mother and a father-daughter bike ride for charity

Dogs face DNA test as French town bids to trace street mess culprits

The two-year trial is taking place in Béziers near Narbonne

Dordogne town gets tougher on dog waste with police help

Dog owners who repeatedly fail to pick up pet’s mess will be tracked down and fined up to €750 in new mayoral initiative

Sudden death of dogs sparks toxic water fears in southern France

It has led to an emergency ban on swimming in or drinking from a river in Bordeaux

Five things you may not know... about pets in France

We take a sideways look at French attitudes to cats, dogs and other furry bébés

Scammers use cute kitten pictures to con animal lovers in France

Do not be enticed by cute photos without thorough research, a consumer watchdog has warned

It was not all bad: Five positive French news stories

From falling inflation to a swimming pool for dogs, here are some news stories that could bring a smile to your face

How much does it cost to insure a dog in France?

We look at how much you can expect to pay to insure your dog against vets’ bills in France

‘Therapy’ dogs long overdue in France

A Connexion reader shares her experience of therapy dogs in the UK

The French boom in mantrailing, a great way to train distracted dogs

Using their superior sense of smell, mantrailing helps focus dogs and ignore distractions

Rescue dog trained to soothe cancer patients at top Paris hospital

It is hoped ‘Snoopy’ will support anxious patients, especially children. He is part of a two-year project looking into how dogs could be a help in hospitals

‘Odious act’: Three dogs die after poisoning at French running event

A police inquiry is underway into the incident, which has been condemned as ‘traumatising’, ‘cruel’, ‘extremely violent’ and ‘nightmarish’

Dog gets 3D-printed prosthetic leg grafted onto bone in France

‘Lucky’ hurt a leg after being hit by a car but is now back running as before after surgery at a specialist veterinary centre

Is there a ‘lost and found’ pet register in France?

We explain what you can do to best protect your animals in the case of them becoming lost

France bans ‘training’ dog collars that cause pain to animals

MPs voted to outlaw collars with spikes, electricity or which tighten without a means of restricting this

‘Bring your dog to work’ could lure people back to French offices

Studies show pets in the office can lower stress, improve communication and reduce absenteeism

Guide dog owners continue to fight Brexit pet travel rules EU-UK

Being treated the same as pet owners is discriminatory, says guide dog group. It claims the UK government is passing the buck

Dogs just as numerous as people at French chateau weekend visit

The Château d’Ussé is one of the only such attractions in France to allow dogs to walk inside and is keen to encourage canine visitors

Walkers in French Alps track sheepdogs with GPS - incidents reduced

A website that geolocates the huge dogs and the flocks they protect has helped lower ‘frightening’ encounters with visitors

Are guide dogs still allowed to travel between UK and France?

We look at EU rules on travelling with guide dogs from outside the bloc

Queen's influence has led to rise in corgis in France say breeders

The recent death of Queen Elizabeth II has contributed further to the small dogs’ popularity, which has been growing since her 2012 Jubilee

French mayor raised alarm over British ‘Puppetmaster’ conman in 2018

A man believed to be Robert Hendy-Freegard is still at large after driving into gendarmes. French villagers where he had a property say they had concerns for years

Dogs trained to sniff out leaks in French drinking water pipe system

The ‘amazing’ dogs are fast and efficient at finding small, silent leaks that other technology cannot trace

What can we do about dogs’ early morning barking near our French home?

There are several steps that a resident can take to tackle this situation. We explain

Dog found in southeast France after going missing for 10 years

The now-12-year-old dog went missing two years after being adopted by his original owners, and was found more than 300km away by police

Rising inflation blamed for increase in pet abandonment in France

Rescue rates of animals in shelters dropped by 4% this year compared to last, with owners appearing to give up their animals due to rising costs

Meet the French dog who is ‘learning to speak’ through a sound mat

Coco the border collie has learned 34 words so far with the help of his language scientist owner

How do I register my pet with I-CAD in France?

Registration with the I-CAD database is obligatory for all domestic animals

Nice is named the friendliest French city for dogs second year running

The Connexion visited one of its dog-friendly beaches to ask owners how they enjoy the city with their pets

The southwestern French town where dog mess could cost owners €750

Bergerac has introduced ‘the heaviest fine in the country’ to ensure its public spaces are ‘clean and welcoming’

Farmers and hikers given safety tips on French Pyrenean Mountain Dogs

The dogs are trained to prevent attacks on livestock in mountain areas and can become aggressive if they feel threatened. Here’s what to do if you come across one when hiking

Professional dog walkers in Ile-de-France to face stricter rules

It comes amid claims that damage is being caused to local forests and other natural places with some companies involved bringing 50-60 dogs at a time

Do I need deworming stamp on my pet passport for UK to France travel?

We explain the rules for the treatment of tapeworms for dogs for cross-Channel trips

What to do if your pet is hurt by processionary caterpillars in France

Dogs are more likely to be affected than other pets, and must be treated quickly if they come into contact with the caterpillar’s defensive hairs

Guide to adopting a cat or dog in France, how to get pet advice

300,000 pets are abandoned in France annually but stricter rules on pet ownership may help animals find forever homes

Adventure film-maker takes adopted dog paragliding in French Alps

Shams adopted Ouka a Samoyed after being returned to the breeder twice as too energetic. ‘He was born to fly!’

What can I do about my neighbour's noisy dog in France?

If the noise is deemed excessive and the neighbour is uncooperative, you can eventually seek criminal proceedings or file a civil lawsuit

French town urges dog owners to clean up pet mess with fake €10 notes

The notes have a funny but apt message on the back and aim to reduce the amount of dog mess left in parks and streets

Does law ban dogs from restaurants and cafés?

We went to a café and were told by the owner that there is a law that now prohibits dogs from restaurants (even outside) and anywhere food is being served. If the establishment is found to have allowed dogs in they will be fined €250. Is this true? S.E.