Corgi & Bichon Relocation to the UK via Europe | Two Dogs, One Route

• Pet Walker（Welsh Corgi）、Bei Bei（Bichon Frise）
• Number of pets 2 pets
• Destination the UK
• Departure 31 December 2025
• Breed type Standard breed
• Special handling Via Europe · Multiple pets

Two variables landed in the same week on this case: a route that is difficult in itself, and a problem discovered hours before check-in. Both dogs still made it into the UK — because someone made a call instead of forcing it.

Before departure: a restricted route and a last-minute wound

Taking a pet from Hong Kong to the UK is not a checked-baggage job. In practice the animal either travels as manifest cargo, or flies into Europe and continues to the UK by road or ferry. Direct cargo is expensive and hold space is tight in peak season. Together with the owner we chose the second option: fly to Europe, then a pet taxi by road into the UK.

In the same period Air France cut its hold capacity to a single pet per flight. For a household moving two dogs at once that is a real risk — book too late and the dogs may have to travel on separate flights, or wait weeks.

Then the harder problem arrived. Just before departure, Walker, a Welsh Corgi, was found with a red, swollen wound. An airline is entitled to refuse carriage on health grounds, so this had to be judged immediately: was it superficial and fit to fly, or a reason to postpone?

What we did

Dr. Tommy examined the wound on the spot and confirmed it was superficial and did not affect flight safety, then treated and documented it there and then so the airline could not refuse carriage at the desk. Both dogs' seats had been secured well in advance, so the Air France capacity cut did not affect them. On arrival we arranged the European leg into the UK and the customs clearance, with a direct transfer to the new home.

Outcome

Both dogs cleared into the UK. Bei Bei's favourite thing is walking the streets with the family, while outgoing Walker made a new friend — an American Bully — and the two ran freely on the grass.

Why "via Europe" is worth considering

For households moving several pets at once, a European transit gives more flexibility in allocating hold space, and the ground leg can be run by pet taxi with rest and exercise stops along the way. It has to suit the pet's age, breed and health, so it is not right for every case. See pet relocation to the UK and pet relocation to Europe. We also surveyed the Ireland–UK ferry route in person — details are in our success stories.