🇬🇷Adopting a rescue dog from Greece

Greece has a large stray-dog population, and its UK-facing rescues rehome a mix of street dogs and shelter dogs of all shapes and sizes.

Getting a Greek dog to the UK

Greece is an EU country, so the entry rules are the standard microchip, rabies vaccination, 21-day wait and tapeworm treatment — see the rabies and 21-day guide. Dogs typically travel by road-and-ferry or by air.

The health tests that matter

As a Mediterranean country, Greece's profile leans towards sandfly- and tick-borne "Mediterranean diseases" — most notably Leishmaniasis, alongside Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis and heartworm. ESCCAP UK & Ireland recommends screening imported dogs for these exotic pathogens; ask your rescue which tests have been done and agree follow-up testing with your vet.

The dogs

Greek rescue dogs are predominantly mixed-breed street and shelter dogs. As always, the individual dog's temperament and history matter far more than any national generalisation.

Sources

• GOV.UK — bringing your pet to Great Britain
• ESCCAP UK & Ireland
• BVA — the disease risk from imported dogs