France is a very dog-friendly country. Whether on public transport, in restaurants or at cafes, man’s best friend can be seen everywhere.
However, like all things in France, the paperwork required for pets can be confusing - but it does not have to be.
From registering your four-legged friend to choosing a breeder, here’s what to keep in mind before getting started with your new dog.
Buying a dog from a breeder or individual
Dog breeders must be registered in France. They will either have a company with a siret number (which you can find at sirene.fr) or be registered on the official purebred directory found at CentraleCanine.
The website also lets you search for a thoroughbred puppy for sale by breed and department.
Puppies must be at least eight weeks old before they can be bought, as separating them from their mother any earlier is considered too soon.
Individuals are only permitted to sell one adult dog before being declared a business.
If the individual owns the mother and were to sell at least one puppy, they would then be considered a breeder and have to be registered as such.
Adopting a dog from an animal shelter
France has several animal rescue and welfare organisations where people can adopt a dog and give it a new home.
You can find many hopeful adoptees at Les Amis des Animaux and the SPA (Society for the Protection of Animals). Around 45,000 animals are housed by the SPA every year.
The organisation trains dogs so they are well-behaved and ready for adoption.
The process usually begins with an application form, followed by an interview and home visit.
Hopeful applicants will then have to pay a fee to cover veterinary costs, such as vaccinations and sterilisation.
You may also be asked to sign an adoption contract, committing to care for the dog for its lifetime and not to resell it but to return it to the shelter if you are no longer able to look after it.
Formalities and certificate of commitment and knowledge
Wherever your new pet comes from, they will have to be microchipped or tattooed and their official identification number registered with I-CAD, the national pet register.
You should also be given a full list of details, including the breed or race name, their date and place of birth, whether it is registered on the thoroughbred log, and the breeder’s details if applicable.
The breeder or former owner is responsible for informing I-CAD of the new owner’s details, and you will then be sent an identification card for your pet in your name.
Whether you buy or adopt a new dog, you will be asked to sign a certificat d'engagement et de connaissance.
The certificate is valid for seven days and acts as a cooling-off period, giving you time to read through the information it contains and make certain you understand the dog’s needs.
Other documents you will be given with your new pet
Whether you are buying or adopting your new dog, you will also be given several other documents:
Attestation de cession: transfer of ownership certificate
Veterinary certificate: this should be less than three months old and give details of vaccinations, sterilisation, European passport number or thoroughbred register if applicable, plus the dog’s identification number and former owner’s details.
Information document: on the dog’s characteristics and particular needs, with guidelines if appropriate.
Dogs on public transport
Once you have a dog, you are generally free to take it on most types of public transport in France, but there are rules to keep in mind.
According to the SNCF - France’s state-run railways operator - dogs are allowed on trains if their owner pays an additional fee of €7. You can pay this fee when buying your regular ticket.
If a dog is small enough to fit in a 45 cm x 30 cm x 25 cm bag, it can be left in the bag on a passenger's lap or at their feet for the duration of the trip.
If it is any larger, it will need to be muzzled and kept on a lead.
The rules for metro systems and buses vary depending on the region and the company running them.
However, in Paris and Lyon, dogs are generally allowed to use public transport with their owners for free as long as they are either in a carrier or again muzzled and kept on a lead.
Do dogs have to be on leads in public?
For most dogs in France, the general rule is that they should be on a lead if they pose a risk to other people or animals.
However, Category 1 and 2 dogs - such as American Staffordshire terrier (pitbull), non Livre des Origines Français (LOF) registered Staffordshire terriers, Tosa and Mastiff etc - must always be on a lead and muzzled in public.
A dog of one of these breeds with a pedigree is considered a Category 2, while one without a pedigree is a Category 1.
Category 1 dogs are also banned from public transportation entirely. Category 2 dogs may be allowed if they are muzzled and on a lead.
Owners of these breeds can be fined up to €150 if the dog is allowed to roam freely.
However, rules dictating whether you may keep your dog off-lead change during spring in France. Please see “Beware of different rules for holding dog off-lead in spring” below.
National parks may ban all dogs - whether on or off leads - in certain areas to protect wildlife.
Are dogs allowed on beaches?
For the vast majority of France, the answer to this question is no. However, there are exceptions.
For example, some French beaches allow dogs during the off-season: typically between September and May.
Some private beaches will also allow dogs, even when an adjacent public beach bans them. You can find a list of beaches that allow pets and their different conditions here.
Visitors can also call the local tourist office for more information.
People who take dogs to beaches where they are banned can face fines ranging from €11 to €68, depending on the region.
When does a dog's barking become problematic?
According to France’s public health code, individuals are not allowed to create, or in the case of a dog barking, allow noises that disturb the peace and tranquillity of their neighbourhood.
That said, enforcement is usually handled on a case-by-case basis, and it is ultimately up to a judge to determine whether a barking dog creates a public nuisance.
In general, a dog barking may be deemed a nuisance if it exceeds 5 decibels during the day or 3 decibels at night.
If neighbours complain, local authorities can issue fines ranging from €68 to €450. Owners may also be required to take action to prevent further noise.
In more serious cases, authorities can additionally require the removal of the dog.
Beware of different rules for holding dog off-lead in spring
Rules for dog walkers in France change from April 15 to June 30, making it illegal to have your dog off-lead away from designated paths and trails in woods and forests over the summer.
The rule change is intended to protect birds and small mammals during their nesting and reproductive seasons. Allowing dogs to be off-lead (leash) runs the risk that they may scare, disrupt, or even kill the animals.
Breaking this rule risks a fine of up to €750, as article R428-6 of the Code de l’environnement says that a dog not kept on a lead is considered to be “roaming”.
The law states that dogs are permitted to roam freely on certain roads, forest paths and forest trails, but if the dog leaves these areas (the specific paths or trails), it must be kept on a lead.
For the rest of the year, it does not have to be on a lead but it must remain within a 100-metre radius of its owner at all times nonetheless.
Local rules may also be in place prohibiting dogs from certain areas, regardless of if they are on a lead or not, or requiring them to always be on a lead.
