Holidays with your greyhound: The ultimate guide with tips, destinations and essentials

Holidaying with your greyhound is a wonderful experience. It offers the opportunity to share unforgettable moments with your four-legged friend and explore new places together. In this blog post, we'll give you a comprehensive guide to a greyhound-friendly holiday. We'll cover preparation, choosing greyhound-friendly accommodations, travel tips, and much more.

Greyhounds are known for their speed and elegance. They are generally calm and gentle dogs who form close bonds with their owners. Despite their athletic abilities, greyhounds don't require as much exercise as some other breeds, but they enjoy being able to run freely in a safe area. They are sensitive to cold due to their low body fat and therefore require appropriate clothing in colder climates.

Preparing for a greyhound-friendly holiday

Essential documents and utensils

Before you go on vacation with your greyhound, it's important to make sure you have all the necessary documents and supplies. This includes the EU pet passport, which is issued by your veterinarian and contains information about rabies vaccinations and microchipping. You should also bring a copy of your dog's liability insurance, sufficient food and treats, a food and water bowl, a blanket or basket, a special greyhound harness, a greyhound collar, a leash, and toys.

📒 Checklist:

1. EU pet passport
2. Copy of dog liability insurance
3. Sufficient food and treats
4. Food & water bowl
5. Blanket or basket
6. Special greyhound harness or safety harness for greyhounds
7. Greyhound collar
8. leash
9. seat belt for the car
10. toy

Packing list for a greyhound-friendly holiday

Food and water

It's important to bring enough food and water for the duration of your trip. You should also consider how to store the food during your vacation to keep it flavorful.

Bedding and comfort

Your dog should have a comfortable place to rest during your vacation. It can be helpful to bring familiar bedding and comfort items for your dog to help them adjust to the new place and relax. Rest breaks are just as important for dogs as they are for humans. Recovery periods keep your greyhound fit and healthy.

Greyhound harness or safety harness specifically for greyhounds

A greyhound harness or a special safety harness for greyhounds is essential for keeping your dog safe and comfortable, especially while traveling. These harnesses are designed to accommodate the unique body shape of greyhounds, providing a secure and comfortable fit. This allows for effortless and stress-free travel, allowing you and your greyhound to enjoy the day.

Greyhound collar

A greyhound collar is specially designed for the narrow, long neck shape of greyhounds. It's important that the collar fits well, but not too tight, so as not to choke or strain the dog. A well-fitting collar also helps keep your dog safe while on vacation or when you need to quickly put the leash on. For short walks, a greyhound collar is often the more comfortable and faster choice.

seat belt for the car

A car seatbelt is essential to keep your dog safe while driving. It prevents your dog from wandering around while driving and getting injured in a sudden stop or accident. Make sure the seatbelt fits well and is comfortable for your dog. The seatbelt should only be attached to the harness.

Toys and entertainment

To keep your dog entertained during your vacation, you should bring some toys and activities. There are many interactive toys and activities that can keep your greyhound busy and help him adjust to the new place. There are toys that stimulate your dog mentally (e.g., sniffing blankets) and those that stimulate him physically (e.g., Frisbee).

Selection of dog-friendly accommodations

Choosing dog-friendly accommodation is another important aspect when planning a holiday with your greyhound. It's important to find accommodation that meets your dog's needs and where your greyhound will feel comfortable. There are many ways to find accommodation online, and they can help you find dog-friendly hotels, holiday apartments, or campsites. A tip: check the " Pets allowed " box in the filter on the portals right from the start. This way, you'll only be shown accommodations where your dog is welcome. Another option is to choose websites that specialize in accommodations with dogs.

Tips for traveling with your greyhound

Traveling by car

If you're traveling with your dog in the car, you should ensure the journey is as comfortable and safe as possible for your greyhound. We recommend keeping your dog permanently attached to a harness using a special dog seatbelt. It's also advisable not to drive for more than ten hours a day to avoid stress for you and your dog. Take regular breaks and give your dog plenty of exercise during long journeys. Important: Only attach the seatbelt to the harness, not the collar. Even slight braking could cause serious injuries to the neck.

To the beach with your greyhound

If you take your greyhound to the beach, you should be aware of the rules and restrictions for dogs. Generally, from April to the end of September or October, dogs are only allowed in specially designated areas, known as dog beaches. It's important to clean up after your dog and bring enough waste bags, as it's never the dogs who leave the beach dirty; it's always us humans.

With your greyhound into the mountains

If you plan to travel to the mountains with your dog, make sure your dog is fit and healthy enough. Start with shorter hikes and gradually work up to longer ones to give your greyhound a chance to acclimatize to the elevation changes. Bring plenty of water and snacks, and check the rules and regulations regarding dogs in the mountains. A special greyhound harness or safety harness for greyhounds is essential. It may also be helpful to bring a dog first aid kit.

Dog-friendly destinations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

Germany: A paradise for greyhounds

Germany is known for its dog-friendly culture and offers a variety of places perfect for a vacation with your greyhound. One of these places is Fischland-Darß-Zingst on the Baltic Sea. With its expansive beaches and dog-friendly accommodations, the Baltic Sea is a paradise for greyhounds. Deserted wild beaches are open to dogs without restrictions and offer breathtaking natural scenery. A nice side effect is that these beaches are mostly untouched by mass tourism.
Another excellent place for a holiday with your greyhound in Germany is the Black Forest. With its numerous hiking trails and lakes, the Black Forest is an ideal place for outdoor activities with your four-legged friend.

Austria: Mountains and lakes that will delight your greyhound

Austria is another dog-friendly country, offering a variety of activities for you and your greyhound. The Kitzbühel Alps are an ideal place for a dog-friendly holiday. With its numerous hiking trails around the Wilder Kaiser mountain range and dog-friendly accommodations, this region is a paradise for dogs. However, please be aware of the cows grazing in the pastures. Most accidents that occur in the Alps involve cows. Cows are curious and lovable animals, but you should always maintain a safe distance and avoid provoking them.
Another great place for a dog-friendly vacation in Austria is Lake Wörthersee. With its dog-friendly beaches and parks, Lake Wörthersee is an ideal place for a relaxing vacation with your greyhound.

Switzerland: A country full of adventures for your greyhound

Switzerland is known for its picturesque landscapes and its specialties. One of the best places for a dog-friendly vacation in Switzerland is Valais. With its countless hiking trails and dog-friendly accommodations, Valais is an ideal place for a dog-friendly vacation. Another great place for a dog-friendly vacation in Switzerland is Lake Geneva. With its dog-friendly beaches and parks, Lake Geneva is an ideal place for a relaxing vacation with your dog.

And when does it start?!

A vacation with your greyhound is a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time together and explore new places. With the right planning, preparation, and equipment, your vacation with your greyhound can be the most wonderful and enjoyable experience of your life. The right equipment is crucial. We at elmorio® offer you the perfect and suitable equipment for your greyhound. From safety belts to greyhound harnesses and collars, you'll find everything here. We'll accompany you during the most wonderful time of the year.
We hope this guide helps you plan and enjoy a greyhound-friendly holiday.