Travelling with an Italian Greyhound: car, train, what to pack and how to prepare

Travelling with an Italian Greyhound: the short answer

An Italian Greyhound is small and light, which makes it easy to travel with, but you need preparation: safe transport, warm clothing, papers and a familiar bed. Carrier rules (train, plane, bus) change and depend on the service, so we do not give exact requirements: check them on the carrier’s website before buying a ticket.

The essentials:

• In a car the dog must be securely restrained: a carrier or a restraint with independent testing.
• Do not leave the dog in a closed car: hot in summer, cold in winter.
• For a train or plane find the rules for your exact service, class and date before paying.
• Pack a familiar bed, water, food, bags and warm clothing.
• An Italian Greyhound copes poorly with stress and cold: plan stops and warmth.

In a car

A walking harness is not a car restraint. What to consider:

• A carrier. A rigid or framed carrier secured in the cabin protects and holds the dog.
• A dog seat belt. Choose products that have passed independent testing: the Center for Pet Safety does independent evaluation and certification of pet products.
• Position. Do not keep the dog on the driver’s lap or let it hang out of the window.
• Getting used to it. First sit in a stationary car, then a short trip, and only then a long drive.
• Stops. Regularly: toilet, water, a stretch. Clip on the lead before you open the door.

The sources we checked give no firm guidance on how long stops should be, so go by the dog and the weather.

Heat and cold in the car

• Cold. A cold car acts like a refrigerator and the dog can freeze. Do not leave it.
• Heat. Overheating is dangerous (signs and first aid are in our article on heat). Do not leave the dog in a closed car, even for a few minutes.
• Run the heating or air conditioning so the cabin temperature is comfortable.
• An Italian Greyhound feels the cold: in cold weather pack warm clothing and a blanket (our article on whether Italian Greyhounds get cold).

On a train

The rules for carrying animals differ by carrier, type of carriage and train. What to do:

• before paying for a ticket, check the rules on the carrier’s official website: dogs allowed, carrier conditions, paperwork, date and class;
• save the confirmation and the page with the rules;
• check the return journey separately;
• a small dog is usually easier to carry in a carrier, but check the requirements with the carrier;
• at the station leave spare time: waiting with a carrier and a suitcase is hard.

On a plane and other transport

The rules of airlines and other carriers differ, and we give no requirements. Find out in advance:

• whether you can take the dog in the cabin and what the carrier requirements are (size, weight);
• what papers are needed (vet passport, certificates);
• special conditions for the flight and destination country.

For trips abroad you need papers and vaccinations by the destination’s rules. The core vaccines and rabies are described in our article on vaccinations and parasites; in Russia a vet passport is always needed. By RKF material a rabies vaccination is required for dogs over 3 months.

What to pack

• A carrier or restraint.
• A harness and lead, an ID tag with a phone number (our article on harnesses and leads).
• The vet passport and papers.
• A bed or blanket with a familiar smell.
• Water and a bowl.
• Food and treats (do not change the diet abruptly on the road).
• Bags for cleaning up, wipes.
• A towel.
• Clothing: warm and rainproof, by season (our clothing guide).
• A first-aid kit on a vet’s advice.

Clothing for a trip

An Italian Greyhound copes poorly with cold and damp, and on the road there are stops in the wind and draughts. Pack:

• a warm layer (a sweater, hoodie);
• a waterproof outer;
• a snood for the neck and ears.

Choose garments that are easy to put on and do not crease, and check the fit beforehand. You will find items from our catalogue in the block beneath the article. More on choosing in our clothing guide, and on measuring in our measuring guide.

Before the trip

• Show the dog to a vet, and discuss vaccinations and parasite treatments.
• Check the chip and ID tag.
• Get the dog used to the carrier in advance.
• Plan the route and places to stop.
• Find out whether dogs are accepted where you will stay.

On the road

• Watch the dog’s condition: drooling, vomiting, shivering.
• Give water in small amounts.
• Feed lightly and not right before the journey.
• Do not open doors and windows until the dog is secured.
• Walk it only on a lead in a harness: an Italian Greyhound will chase movement.

On arrival

• Check the place for safety: windows, balcony, cables.
• Put the bed in a quiet spot.
• Feed and walk the dog, let it rest.
• Do not leave it alone in an unfamiliar place for long: an Italian Greyhound finds being alone hard.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I take an Italian Greyhound in a car without a carrier? Better in a carrier or with a restraint that has passed independent testing.
• Can I leave it in the car? No: hot in summer, cold in winter.
• What papers do I need on a train? The rules change: check with the carrier before buying a ticket.
• What should I pack? A carrier, harness, vet passport, bed, water, food, bags, clothing.
• Does it need clothing on the road? Yes, warm and rainproof: it feels the cold.

What to remember

• In a car the dog is secured in a carrier or an independently tested restraint.
• Never leave the dog in a closed car.
• Check train and plane rules before buying a ticket.
• Pack a bed, water, food, papers and warm clothing.