Driving with large dogs across Mexico

[beachbaby]

In 3 years in Southern Mexico, we have only been asked once to remove our dog from our van so the military checkpoint can do a quick look-see in the van. Our van has not been searched at a border. Usually, when they know we have a dog in the van - they pass on any ideas of a search.

With our dogs we have made border crossings US into Mexico and Mexico into Guatemala and back into Mexico - no one has asked for any veterinarian papers for our dogs. But we've always had current ones just in case we are asked.

In my observations - most Mexicans prevent their children from running up to dogs because they have better common sense than parents in the US - and realize that dogs have teeth and they might bite. But sometimes someone walks right up to our dog without asking if it okay to pet her.

We always walk our dog on a leash - not because she's difficult - but because it is common to leave poison out for the street dogs as a way of controlling the population. We do our best to never let our dog eat anything she finds while out on a walk - as it could be poisoned.

[Maery Clarity]

@ tepetapan I am feeding Nutrena River Run 27/18 professional kibble...I've looked over Nutrena's distributorship information and don't believe it's available in Mexico.

I'll certainly be asking at the consul about the dog food, it's my biggest question at the moment.

@ TundraGreen I can control my dogs, although I can relate to what you're saying about your situation as a pedestrian.

First, I would not debark these dogs and walk them through a crowd along the way, although they have both been walked through crowds and they are fine as long as people keep walking and don't confront us. It's the people who want to insist on approaching us closely...like within 5 feet, making eye contact and continuing to come forward...that will get a reaction sometimes.

I also realize that it's somewhat scary for an observer to see a small woman on the end of a lead with a giant breed dog, because folks don't know that I'm an animal professional with nearly 30 years experience working with animals a lot larger than dogs, sometimes. It's not all about strength, there is some martial art associated with animal wrangling, and I know it...but still I am VERY cautious about making sure that my animals are not exposed to risk, and that people are not exposed to risk. My worst nightmare is that some human will be pushy about it. We'll be working very hard to keep the dogs away from everyone.

We are headed towards a place in the middle of nowhere in the Yucatan so when we arrive the worry will be over...there aren't any neighbors, and I never ever ever use my dogs to menace people, that's not the reason I have these dogs...I have them because I bottle fed them and their siblings, and it's difficult to find placements that are suitable for a large bully breed.

We found homes for six and these two eventually became too old to place without it being a real adjustments and heartbreak for the dogs. They are a dog that bonds very deeply and they are big homebodies, they don't really belong out and about in society, the breed is too territorial.

These are South African Mastiffs, Boerboels, which means Farm Dog in Africaaner. They are absolutely excellent farm dogs, gentle with livestock and their families and friends, loyal, and big couch potatoes when nothing is going on, which is a huge plus in a house and farm dog...it's like not even having dogs a lot of the time, they sleep so much.

Our truck is brightly painted in feista colors so hopefully the cheerful truck will defuse any perception that we're mean people who have mean dogs, that's not the case at all.

[tepetapan]

Originally Posted by Maery Clarity

@ tepetapan I am feeding Nutrena River Run 27/18 professional kibble...I've looked over Nutrena's distributorship information and don't believe it's available in Mexico.

I'll certainly be asking at the consul about the dog food, it's my biggest question at the moment.

.......Asking a consulate about dog food would be a complete waste of time...........

Our truck is brightly painted in feista colors so hopefully the cheerful truck will defuse any perception that we're mean people who have mean dogs, that's not the case at all.

.
brightly painted, aka deadhead style, will cost you lots of time and some money. You will likely be stopped at nearly every checkpoint , town and village. . That is a very bad idea. Mexico very much profiles people and rigs like you describe.
Any information and permits obtained in the US is superceeded by agents at the border. They make the final determination on weather you pass or not..

[evafla]

We are headed towards a place in the middle of nowhere in the Yucatan so when we arrive the worry will be over...there aren't any neighbors



do you mind to tell us a little bit more ?
Sounds very interesting .


We have 2 dogs , what can I say ,
it adds a component of not always easy job to our travel .
If you really will avoid crowded places , you will be fine .
People are mostly very afraid of dogs and will not approach you ,
to vaccine the dog is not common practice in Mexico , even if dog has
so called owner .

I personally think, you will need to find a little bit remote locations
to boon dock over night . We do it quite often , mostly in small , and I mean it, small towns . So far we are O.K. ( 3.5 years in Mexico)

all the best e

[Maery Clarity]

Originally Posted by tepetapan

.......brightly painted, aka deadhead style, will cost you lots of time and some money. You will likely be stopped at nearly every checkpoint , town and village. . That is a very bad idea. Mexico very much profiles people and rigs like you describe.
Any information and permits obtained in the US is superceeded by agents at the border. They make the final determination on weather you pass or not..

Eeeeek, I may be a Deadhead but I have a little taste hahahahaha....the truck was a horrible dirty yellow when we got it, we've repainted it with a nice white box and two tone cab colors, a dark teal blue and forest green. If that draws too much attention, I guess we can deal with it...everything will be in order and we're friendly and will have a Spanish speaker with us for the journey.

I'm glad to hear from so many that it seems like my dogs will not be that unusual.

We are leaving in a few weeks barring complications, we'll have a laptop and will do some reporting from the road, I'll be sure to write and let y'all know how it goes with the dogs....

Y'all have a great day and thanks again for all your thoughts!

[telcoman]

Be aware the rules have changed. You now need a signed certificate of health on your vets letterhead showing his license number, no more than 10 days old. This is not being largely enforced, but it is on the books.

[sunnyvmx]

Here at Tepetapan in Catemaco, Veracruz we welcome dogs in RVs. The campground has lovely grounds and is walled in with bath and laundry facilities. Great place for a break from travel and to give your dogs some relaxed time outside the rig. You'll enjoy the town also which is an easy walk to the Plaza or the malecon along the lake. Go early in the morning during the week and you can take the dogs. I used to take my Chloe a lot of mornings for a swim in the lake and then breakfast in one of the restaurants. I'm in Casita #3 with the garden patio. Hope to see y'all.

[redraidermty]

I recently crossed the border with2 small dogs, spent almost $500 in paperwork at the vet but when I crossed the border I got a green light and nobody even looked at us. For what I understand, you are only allowed to bring enough food for the duration of the trip (I know this is a little vague) and large amounts of dog food can be confiscated but if you get a green light at the border nobody will know how much food you have in your vehicle. There's a second check point about 20 miles south of the border we also got a green light on that one. Maybe you will luck out.

[telcoman]

Yes, better safe than sorry. i have my ear pretty close to the ground on border crossing issues. I heard of only one person last year who was asked for the health certificates.

[telcoman]

Just found the latest info. Seems they have relaxed the 10 day requirement, but a health certificate is still needed.

Mascotas de origen EU y Canad

You cannot bring food in, but I do it every year with no issue. I do make sure it is sealed in original packages. I like to take those Beneful containers of wet food to make the kibble more palatable. You cannot buy them in Mexico except in the PV Walmart where they cost a fortune.