Submitted by Triona Concannon in Oct 2010:

I would definitely recommend Brittany Ferries for anyone considering bringing their dog(s) to France. The pictures of the kennels on the website are however misleading, it's a smaller space and not quite as pretty as it appears online. It is still streets ahead of Irish Ferries in this regard. The kennels are quite roomy, my dog had enough room for her big soft bed from home with room to spare all around it. There are bars on the door of the kennel but the other walls are solid so she couldn't see the other dogs. There is also a water and food bowl provided but my dog wasn't eating for 12 hours prior to travel so as to avoid being sick so we didn't need that bowl. The kennel area seems very clean and the units are cleaned out between crossings. There is no bad smell or anything like that. We could access the kennels at any time using a key card and there was an exercise area outside the kennels where the dogs could walk and go to the toilet (this was hosed down a number of times during the crossing). The surface of the exercise area however was a blue painted finish which I think my dog thought was an indoor surface so she wouldn't go to the toilet AT ALL for the entire 14 hour journey. I am guessing that the dogs that are fussy and only go outdoors would have a problem going in that area so it’s obviously very important that they get an opportunity just before boarding. In the event that your dog does go to the toilet, plastic bags, rolls of tissue paper and lots of water are provided so it's quite user friendly.
 
The passport and check-in procedure was quite straightforward. I had been dreading it in case I got anything wrong. In Cork, you drive up to the normal car check-in, show your tickets and passports (including dog's one) and they put a sticker on your car to say you've a pet on board, they scan the chip, and they check the worming and tick treatment information. You are then directed to a specific lane to be boarded with all other cars travelling with dogs. We were boarded before most other vehicles and despite what the website says about leaving the dog in the car until you are instructed to collect them, we were brought immediately, by lift, to deck 9 where a steward gave us our kennel key card and our kennel numbers (ALL dogs most wear a muzzle from car to kennel and back but not in-between times). You then have to walk up a flight of stairs to the dog deck. This was stressful for some of the dogs who didn't seem to like the stairs (open treads). The next part was a bit manic because there were loads of dogs and owners all fussing around the kennels and the dogs were getting upset, so we stayed out on the exercise deck till things calmed down. We found that despite being able to visit as often as we liked, that people coming in and out of the kennels was only upsetting the dogs, so we stayed out with ours instead till bedtime and then just brought her in, she hopped up into her bed in her kennel, and we left promptly so they could all calm down. I went back up first thing next morning and took my dog out on deck again where we stayed till arrival. I think this was the best option, either that or just leave her alone till arrival as taking them in and out of the kennel repeatedly didn't seem to be a good idea.
 
When we arrived in France, pets and owners were the first to be sent to the car decks. You are supposed to bring the dog to the car and then go back into the reception area waiting for instructions as to when to go to your car. I stayed in the car though and there didn't seem to be a problem. In the port they checked passports again, a very quick scan and look and the details and we were on the road.
 
The one big difference on the return journey is that instead of being checked in from the car as was the case in Cork, I had to go into the Gare Maritime (terminal building) and check the dog in at the Brittany Ferries desk (remember to bring dog and passport in with you!). It was quick and easy and then we went back to the car and into a normal car check-in. Again we were directed to a special boarding lane for people with animals. This time we weren't first to board, we had a lot of sitting around but eventually drove on to the ferry. Again, we were brought straight to kennels and given key cards. The return journey leaves France at 9.30pm so it's easy for the dogs to go to bed soon after till the morning. My biggest concern was coming through with a dog from France to Ireland as I know that the Dept. of Agriculture is quite strict. As we drove off the ferry, we were directed through a gate where there was a vet waiting. He scanned the dogs, looked closely at the details on the passport, and sent us through. Very simple, over in two minutes, so as long as the procedure re the passport is followed, there's nothing to worry about.
 
If I were to list recommendations I'd say:-
 
1. Bring dog's own bed and maybe a few toys.
2. Don't forget muzzle - they are strict.
3. Don't feed the dog on the day of travel.
4. Bring the dogs to a grassy area BEFORE entering port as there aren't any grassy areas inside the port and some dogs (like my one) won't go to the toilet anywhere else so they end up having to hold it in for a very long time.
5. Don't bother bringing bowls or clean-up stuff, it's all there for you to use.
6. Set up your vet appointment in France BEFORE you leave Ireland for peace of mind.
7. Do plenty of research before travelling so you get all the passport procedure right, this is ESSENTIAL.
8. Don't visit the dog repeatedly as it only upsets all the dogs to have people coming in and out. Have one long visit instead.
9. Organise what you need to take on board for the dog in advance (bed, toys, muzzle etc) as it's hard to hold everything AND the dog lead at the same time when making your way to and from kennels.
10. Remember to stop as soon as you're through customs to let the dog have a little run around and to go to the loo.