Traveling through Europe with a dog — Part 1

Denmark with a dog: What is true about the strict dog law — and what is myth.

Few travel destinations evoke as much uncertainty among dog owners as Denmark. Between miles of beaches and grim forum stories lies a truth that is more nuanced than either side believes. An honest assessment – ​​for everyone planning a trip north with their dog.

By Pia von Ramin · Reading time approx. 7 minutes.

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There's this image of the perfect Danish morning: the terrace of the holiday home, a cup of coffee in hand, the dog already sniffing in the sand, and beyond, nothing but dunes, wind, and the North Sea. For many of us, this is the epitome of a holiday—because the dog isn't luggage, but family.

And yet, a surprisingly large number of people hesitate. The reason has a name: the Danish dog law. It's considered one of the strictest in Europe, and stories surrounding it are truly breathtaking. Before we get to the beaches, let's clarify what's really frightening—factually, completely, and without sugarcoating.

Chapter 1 — Arrival

Getting there without tripping hazards

The essentials in three sentences

Entry itself is straightforward. Your dog needs a valid [vehicle registration document/document]. EU pet passport, a microchip and a valid Rabies vaccination — whereby at least 21 days must pass between the first vaccination and entry, which means that puppies are not ready to travel until they are at least 15 weeks old.

Unlike Finland, Ireland, or Malta, Denmark does not require mandatory tapeworm treatment. Keep your documents handy—the police are authorized to request them. That's basically all you need to know about a typical holiday.

car, train or plane

How the dog gets to Denmark surprisingly determines a great deal about the first hours of the holiday. Three routes, three distinct logics.

By car. The classic, and most relaxed, option—provided the dog is secured (more on that later; physics doesn't negotiate). There's no specific Danish law regarding dog restraints in cars; however, on the German leg, the load securing regulations of the road traffic code apply—and in this unromantic bureaucratic German, "load" unfortunately includes the dog. Whether by road via Flensburg or by ferry across the Vogelfluglinie (Bird Flight Line): the border crossing itself is a non-event—just make sure your documents are readily accessible, not buried in the trunk under your wellies.

By train. Here's where things get curious. On the Danish State Railways (DSB), dogs generally only travel in second class—first class is reserved for assistance dogs—and large dogs need their own ticket, sold, no joke, as a child's ticket for 12- to 15-year-olds, meaning at half price. This doesn't guarantee a seat; the DSB actually advises booking a second seat for the dog. Dogs must always be kept on a leash, and staff may require a muzzle. Small dogs in carriers travel easily and free of charge—a subtle advantage for small breeds.

By plane. This is where it gets really interesting for Denmark — because the most obvious airline is SAS, the Scandinavian one.SAS allows dogs and cats up to eight kilograms in the cabin, including their carrier. The catch lies in the dimensions: SAS limits the carrier to a maximum weight of... 40 × 25 × 23 cm The dimensions are noticeably tighter than the roughly 55 x 40 x 23 cm dimensions common elsewhere. So, just any old carry-on bag won't do; it has to fit precisely into this smaller window and under the seat in front, where the dog will remain for the entire flight. Since 2024, brachycephalic breeds have been banned from the cabin, and larger dogs travel in the climate-controlled cargo hold in a fixed IATA crate. You can register your dog immediately after booking; confirmation usually comes within 24 hours. In short: An Italian Greyhound will fit under the seat. A Weimaraner will need to be booked in the cargo hold—or just take the car.

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Chapter 2 — The Law

The truth about the dog law

This is where things get serious, and this is where myth and reality diverge. Two things are actually true—and you need to know both.

First, the breed list. Denmark has completely banned thirteen breeds and their crossbreeds: import, breeding, and keeping. These include, among others, Pit Bull Terriers, Tosa Inus, American Staffordshire Terriers, Dogo Argentinos, Fila Brasileiros, American Bulldogs, Boerboels, Kangals, as well as several Ovcharka types, Tornjaks, and Šarplaninacs. Anyone who acquired such a dog after March 17, 2010, is simply not allowed to enter the country with it—and any animal of these breeds found in the country must, by law, be euthanized.

This is the core issue that has sparked the international outrage. It's important to state it clearly. Equally important, however, is putting it into perspective: None of these breeds have the slightest overlap with greyhounds, Weimaraners, or the vast majority of family dogs. For them, the list is simply irrelevant.

Secondly, the “skambid”. Regardless of breed, a dog can be euthanized after a serious biting incident—referred to in Danish law as a "shameful bite" under Section 6 of the Dog Act. This provision is the basis for reports of dogs being killed. Since the law's introduction in 2010, animal welfare organizations report that several thousand dogs have died—some due to their breed, others as a result of such incidents.

We don't hide that either. But the law from 2010 is not the law of today, and this difference decides almost everything.

What changed in 2014 — and why it matters

In 2014, the law was softened in key areas after years of pressure from animal welfare organizations, veterinarians, and the tourism industry. Today, the Danish police explicitly emphasize that euthanasia is only a last resort: milder measures such as mandatory leashing or muzzles are considered first.

Above all, owners are no longer powerless. Since 2014, they have had the right to consult a dog expert, instead of the police alone deciding matters of life and death. Foreign owners are also given the option of taking their dog out of the country to avoid being euthanized by the authorities. And the notorious old right that allowed landowners to shoot stray dogs on their property was abolished in 2014—now, a fine is imposed instead.

Criticism remains justified—veterinarians continue to demand that breed-specific legislation be replaced by scientifically sound regulations, and the law doesn't even define what qualifications the "expert" who judges a dog's life must have. But the honest assessment is this: the dramatic cases almost exclusively involve banned breeds or genuine, serious biting attacks with proven injury. A socially well-behaved, controllable dog on a leash at the beach doesn't fall into any of these categories.

In short

Does the killing scenario affect you? Only if your dog belongs to (or resembles) one of the 13 banned breeds or has committed a serious, proven biting incident. For greyhounds, Weimaraners, and the vast majority of family dogs: no.

Risk of confusion? If your dog resembles a banned breed, bring its pedigree or proof of breed. An entry in the pet passport will help.

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Chapter 3 — The Coast

Where dogs are welcome

Once you understand the law, Denmark reveals itself for what it truly is for dog lovers: one of the most beautiful travel destinations in Europe. The key lies in the seasons.

From the October 1st to March 31st Dogs are allowed to run free on most Danish beaches—provided they are under control and can be recalled. It's the perfect time of year: wide, empty beaches, the dog chasing the wind, and nobody minds. From 1 April to 30 September However, dogs must be kept on a leash on the beach, to protect bathers and especially ground-nesting birds whose chicks hatch during this time.

Dogs must be kept on a leash year-round in towns and cities, on paths, in forests, nature reserves, and on vegetated dunes. Blue Flag beaches are generally off-limits during the summer. Those who wish to let their dogs run free in the summer can find a solution in the more than 250 fenced dog parks located throughout the country. Violating the leash law can result in a fine, which can reach several hundred euros depending on the incident.

The region around Blåvand on the west coast—more than just a holiday destination for us—perfectly illustrates why these rules make sense: endless beaches, dunes, and heathland, but also deer, hares, and ground-nesting birds right next door. Here, consideration isn't just a rule, but a prerequisite for this coexistence to work.

The punchline that's missing from the brochure

Here's the twist you won't find in any travel brochure: The postcard image—the dog chasing across the deserted beach in August—is forbidden in Denmark. The freedom everyone dreams of lies in winter, when the beach is empty, the water is grey, and there's nobody else around. From April to September, however, precisely when you're on vacation, dogs must be kept on a leash.

That sounds like bad news, but it isn't—it just shifts the focus. If the leash is hanging in your hand all summer, it's not a necessary evil, but the piece of equipment you touch most often. And one that feels cheap makes the whole vacation feel a bit cheap. There's no more selling here; you can see the rest in the shop anyway.

That leaves the journey itself, which nobody likes to think about.Physics doesn't care in the slightest whether your dog is a good boy: In a full emergency stop from 50 km/h, an eight-kilogram dog becomes a projectile with roughly thirty times its own weight—a calculation that puts a Weimaraner in a completely different league. A secured dog is therefore not a matter of comfort, but of mathematics. Crash-tested, strapped in, done.

Denmark isn't a country where you need to protect your dog. It's a country that sets clear boundaries—and within those boundaries, grants an unusual amount of freedom. Those who know the rules and keep their dogs under control will experience one of the most dog-friendly coastlines on the continent. The wind and sand will do the rest.

Next episode — Part 2: France

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Pia von Ramin is founder of 4legs.de and lives in Hamburg. She travels regularly with her dogs and knows the pitfalls of every transport route from her own experience.