Best Vehicle for Dogs

[Wild Wolf]

Hey everyone,

I am looking into getting a larger vehicle to accommodate Hunter, and wanted to get opinions on which cars, trucks, SUVs or vans are ideal for training and trailing.

I want something that will fit a crate in the back, have room for storage for all my training gear, and will not be a mammoth to drive around. I don't want a gas guzzler, or one that is enormous.

Any ideas? Anyone have an experience with good vehicles that fit these requirements? Thanks!

[jocoyn]

Do you need to grow to two dogs? Off Road / On Road?

[DanielleOttoMom]

I think a truck or SUV is what you need if you need room for multi dogs.

I prefer my husbands Toyota Tundra 2010. 2012 Toyota Tundra Truck <---- This but red. I love it!

[Liesje]

I LOVE my minivan (Mazda MPV), best bang for the buck hands down, but it's not good for off road. I live in west Michigan so we get snow Nov - May so I'm used to that though it's not the best vehicle for this either but I see tons of what I have on the road and I just got new tires. I can fit any combination of 6 dogs/humans. The normal config is two humans, 3 dogs (kenneled), and one "open" space for gear. I have plenty of space for three dogs, three additional (flattened) kennels, and two weeks worth of food, clothing, bedding, vacuums, fans, computers...you name it we can fit it and STILL see out the back, plus my minivan is shorter than the mid-sized sedan it replaced so it's easier for me to turn and has better viewing. I like that the rear windows go down, not just pop open an inch, and there are separate rear controls for air so I can blast the dogs when they are hot but not freeze myself.

I do not know of any SUV that offers me the same amount of interior space as my minivan, and my husbands Dodge Caravan has even more space (but I don't use it b/c it's old and dying). The next step up for me would have to be a dog trailer or a full size van. All the SUVs I've looked at have been way more expensive, more gas guzzling, and far far less space but I haul 3-4 dogs at a time plus 2 people, not just me and 1-2 dogs.

With just one dog, you can really use anything. I used to train with two dogs - crated - on the back seat of a Mercury Sable. If I only had one dog I'd get me a Subaru Outback (for the 4WD).

[ladyfreckles]

I've been wondering this as well. We're hoping to have growth room for two dogs some day, but don't want anything too huge. I'm interested to see what people reply with.

These are on our list of potential vehicles:

• BMW X5
• Audi Q7
• Nissan Xterra
• Land Rover LR2
• BMW X3
• Ford Edge Sport

The Honda Element is extremely popular among dog owners for its affordability, gas mileage, and how easy it is to clean. It's not on our list because we don't really enjoy the way it drives that much.

Worth mentioning is the Audi Q5. I test drove it, but it was too small for me. If you're looking for something to fit one dog crate in, that's good on gas, and has a nice agile drive like a sedan, I would highly recommend it. Not sure of your budget though, and most of the used ones in my area are back ordered.

[mysweetkaos]

When my car was in the shop they gave me a Chevy Traverse to drive. It was great. Plenty of room. Easy to access area in back. Had all the convenience of a minivan without being one!

[Wild Wolf]

Thanks for the replies, everyone! Keep those opinions rollin' in - I appreciate the reviews and suggestions!

I know I will get another dog, but that is a few years down the road. I live in Canada where snow is an issue, so I would ideally want something that can handle weather safely.

[jocoyn]

My take is if you are going to get a 6 cylinder SUV then move up to an 8 cylinder truck unless you do a lot of city driving. Highway mileage is about the same and the 8 cylinders has more power and has room to spare not to mention a commanding view of the road.

Truck v SUV- with a truck the dogs can be in the back in secured crates with much better ventilation than the back of an SUV which is a consideration for a hot climate and long times at training. I can park my truck in the direct sun on a hot summer day and it is no hotter than the outside air in the back. The key is VENTILATION and fans. I can legally put limo black tint on my camper windows too. My dogs get nasty and muddy and I appreciate not having all that in the passenger compartment. Conversely they *have* ridden in the back seat on some really hot days when I don't want to drive down the highway with my windoors open which I will do at lower speeds.

If I were not offroad, it would be a mini van with two sliding doors in a heartbeat. Better fuel economy, lower entrance, more capacity. SOme have AWD.

[Wild Wolf]

Anyone know anything about the Jeep Liberty?

[4TheDawgies]

I would say minivans are hands down the best option. They get better gas milage than SUV's and Trucks, have a huge amount of space and usually more if not the same amount of space than a truck or SUV.

My minivan is flexfuel so it gets even better gas milage because of that. I was looking at SUV's before I considered a minivan and other than looking like a soccer mom in it, the minivan beat the SUV's hands down.
-better gas
-more space
-more options
-more luxury

My minivan even has a 110v plug so I can hook up a laptop for trips, or fans for air flow, or my dremel for nails at a show etc.