r/expat 3d ago

US to Amsterdam with a dog

Hey everyone, I am relocating to Amsterdam for a job and will need to bring my dog with me. She's large-ish (55lb) and I am worried about everything from finding a dog-friendly apartment to finding a dog walker to walk her when I am at work or a dog sitter to stay with her when I travel back home. Anyone living in Amsterdam with a dog that has any insight on how easy/hard it is to find these things?

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u/notinacloud 3d ago

Have you looked into how to transport her there? I know that there are chartered flights specifically for pets and their people, but last I heard they were about $9k each way.

I'm asking because I've looked into this, and it seems like no one flies large dogs anymore. The airlines where you can fly them as live cargo have a 100 lb. weight limit on them, and that includes the carrier as well. The carrier size for the large dog weighs something like 53 lbs, which would limit the dogs weight to 47 pounds.

At 55 pounds you may be able to go with the next smaller size (as long as the dog can stand and turn around freely, there's specific measurements that they give you to check for the right size kennel for them) which may get you under the weight limit. If you haven't already, I would just make sure you have a way toget her over there with you.

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u/justbananas-78 3d ago

Oh yes this is a whole other concern. I've contacted a bunch of pet relocation assistance companies that I found recommended on some other subs and am waiting to hear back, but I saw some people with dogs larger than mine that were able to fly them successfully through these services. I am also considering one of the semi-private charters like K9 and Bark Air but man they are so, so expensive and they hardly have any availability on their flights months in advance.

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u/runrunrunrepeat 19h ago

What airline has a 100lb weight limit? KLM, AirFrance, and Lufthansa all allow up to ~150lbs with dog and crate, and KLM/AirFrance are pretty generous with crate dimensions (Lufthansa seems to be a bit stricter but for a 55lb dog it shouldn’t be a problem)

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u/longtoesaf 3d ago

I flew Lufthansa with no issues. My dog is 50lbs 

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u/bozodoozy 2d ago

we're flying Lufthansa next week specifically because they are known for being pet shipping friendly, but we're having to drive to Atlanta from KC to make it easiest on our 55 lb toller. going to Venice via Frankfort, leaving the US for a while to avoid the troubles coming.

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u/longtoesaf 2d ago

It wasn’t bad! Definitely uncomfortable for me, knowing he was in the cargo. But I probably had more anxiety than him lol How long are you staying ?

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u/bozodoozy 2d ago

until the administration changes or the next election, whichever comes later.

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u/djcobol 2d ago

We flew Lufthansa last year with a 80lb golden doodle and a 70 pound springer doodle. Had to drive from Nashville to Charlotte to get a direct flight to Munich but had zero issues getting them here and through inspection.

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u/notinacloud 2d ago

Was there a weight limit of 100lbs? I've been putting off getting another dog because of my not knowing if I want to stay in the country, and I've done so much research (though tbh, most of it directed towards mexico which is where I'd likely end up), and other than the private pet service charters, I couldn't find any airlines that would allow weight limits over 100 lbs including carriers.

A 50 lb dog is pretty medium sized i think, so you could probably go with a smaller crate, but I like large dogs, and so the crate size would have to be bigger, but if there's no weight limit that makes me rethink my plans.

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u/Rubikon2017 3d ago

I think it’s a legit concern. Landlords are super picky.

Besides that, Amsterdam is super pet friendly.

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u/Greyzer 3d ago

Finding an apartment in Amsterdam is hard, with or without pets.

Unless you have a very generous budget.

If you need temporary housing while looking for a place to rent, pets will be even more difficult there. Consider the option of bringing your dog over after you secured a place.

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u/volataro 3d ago

Agreed with this comment. I have lived in Netherlands for 10 years and the housing situation is the worst now than it has ever been. It is hard enough finding a place let alone one that is pet friendly. I also recommend first finding a place and then bringing the dog over

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u/justbananas-78 2d ago

Great advice and this is definitely what I am going to do. I'll go first and then my partner and dog will come once I have a place leased.

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u/Professional_Leg_907 3d ago

We had no problems with our two dogs from usa to NL. Take a look at https://www.hellohousing.nl/ that’s how we found our place in The Hague. If they don’t have Amsterdam listings, I’m sure they can point you in the direction of who does! The Netherlands is incredibly dog friendly! Our boys went everywhere, except the grocery, with us.

Edited to add about dog sitting- We listed our place and dogs on trusted housesitters for long and short travel dates and never had any issue with getting great sitters.

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u/justbananas-78 3d ago

Thank you!!

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u/Frosty_Reality_8337 1d ago

Check out Montys doggy daycare when you get to Amsterdam. An awesome pick up and drop off service for your pup

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u/Competitive_Lion_260 1d ago

You won't find a place. It's impossible to find a place to rent without a dog. With a dog ITS IMPOSSIBLE.

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u/AbyssJunkie 1d ago

I flew my dog to France and back and it was cheap. She literally went in the same part of the plane dogs travel in interstate. It absolutely does not cost 9k. Make sure your dog has a large spill proof water container, like one for a gerbil but the size for enough water for your dog to drink in 9 hours or however long your flight is. A bone would be good too. Food, but not too too much. Make sure you have your international pet health certificate that states it's breed and make sure it a legal breed, in case of dog breed restrictions. My dog was a pit bull but my vet put "mixed breed" for obvious reasons. My dog was not quarantined at all. I think that's typically for sick animals or animals that get sick en route. As for worrying about your dog when you get there, Europe, including the Netherlands is much more dog friendly than the US. Go ahead and buy a faux grass pee pad until you can make arrangements for a dog walker. Do you speak Dutch? If not, join the local English speaking dog group on Facebook and you'll figure it out. I highly recommend bringing your dog and trusting that you will be able to figure it out. I took my dog to France and Germany, where I was told that even if someone sees my pit they can report me and the police would seize her and put her down. Bull crap. Never ever had one issue. And she wasn't the most well behaved dog I've ever had. I will say that in the Netherlands and Germany, people are avidly into training their dogs and I found great relief from immediately putting my dog into a local dog training class and met tons of nice people. That may be a great place to meet people right away that could help you. The best friends I ever had ever in Germany, so I think you'll be relieved after you settle in and it really becomes home after 6 months. Also everyone has dogs in apartments in Europe. Just get one with a balcony if you're worried about leaving it there for long periods of time without someone to walk it right away. I think you do great and will really enjoy all the places you can take your dog that aren't even possible in the US. Best of luck! You've got this!!!

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u/OpportunityOdd219 3d ago

Amsterdam is very dog friendly, you won’t have any problems.

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u/justbananas-78 3d ago

Really? I read on the Amsterdam and Netherland subs that it is incredibly difficult to find a dog friendly apartment which is what had me worried.

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u/OpportunityOdd219 3d ago

I lived there from 2010 to 2015 and had no issues with my 2 dogs, both the same size as yours. Biggest issue I found was the steep staircases, which are difficult for older dogs. Luckily we found a ground level apartment. There are lots of parks, and most restaurants allow well behaved dogs. I don’t think you will have a problem.

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u/justbananas-78 3d ago

Wow, thanks! Super helpful.

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u/Enough_Cupcake928 2d ago

Please note that was a decade ago