How do you transport a large Dog?
Discussion
It depends how big 'big' is! Our dog is the size of a large Collie, and has been fine in a variety of cars including a MK1 Focus and MK2 Seat Leon. If you're talking Alsatian or Great Dane I think they'd start to struggle.
I'd look for cars with near vertical tailgates. The Leon was good for this. The Mondeo's tailgate has quite a shallow slope, so whilst big, it would limit the dogs headroom.
I'd look for cars with near vertical tailgates. The Leon was good for this. The Mondeo's tailgate has quite a shallow slope, so whilst big, it would limit the dogs headroom.
I think the shape of the boot space is what matters (as said above) My Weim' spends a lot of time in the back of my Mazda323 which has a fairly upright boot door (it's not officially an estate but not far off) but he'd struggle to fit in a mondeo hatchback even though it's a bigger car.
I switched form a coupe to an estate when my dog got a bit big for the back seat. Worst move ever. She hated being in the boot and nothing I did seemed to help. Only had the car for about a year, the shortest I have ever owned one for. Bought a pickup to replace it and she just goes on the back seat of that and is happy as Larry.
I would recommend getting a cage in the back but you will need big estate or a 4x4 for that. This is what most of my friends seem to have though.
I have to admit personally , despite the mess, I would rather have the dog on the back seat and the boot free. Especially if I had family to take too. As with a dog belted in with a harness and the 2 kids on the back seat you can make much better use of the boot for all the stuff you need to take rather than the boot being solely for the dog and having to pile the rest of the stuff on the kids. Or buy a trailer/ roofbox I guess.
Also if your dog has sticky up ears be careful not to shut them in the boot at the top where it hinges, had a few close calls on that front.
I would recommend getting a cage in the back but you will need big estate or a 4x4 for that. This is what most of my friends seem to have though.
I have to admit personally , despite the mess, I would rather have the dog on the back seat and the boot free. Especially if I had family to take too. As with a dog belted in with a harness and the 2 kids on the back seat you can make much better use of the boot for all the stuff you need to take rather than the boot being solely for the dog and having to pile the rest of the stuff on the kids. Or buy a trailer/ roofbox I guess.
Also if your dog has sticky up ears be careful not to shut them in the boot at the top where it hinges, had a few close calls on that front.
Thanks for your replies, the Dog is a Bullmastiff and my current car in an E46 Coupe, he is a puppy and quickly out growing it, Im thinking odd days out, U.K holidays, my real problem is some cars I would have the estate and others I wouldn't, for example I had a look at a Vectra C, I would only buy the Hatch version of this, but the Mondeo I would have the estate, or I could live with the estate is what I mean, the trouble is any estate I like I cant afford, hence the question.
P.S this is mainly a looks thing, that unfortunately always been important when buying a car to me.
P.S this is mainly a looks thing, that unfortunately always been important when buying a car to me.
Rumple said:
P.S this is mainly a looks thing, that unfortunately always been important when buying a car to me.
One thing to bear in mind is the roof on the estate, Audis in our experience (we had a Newfie now have LGD dogs who are still 28" to the shoulder) have a rear that cuts too low. Only really Volvos and Passats that kept a nice top line that enable the dogs to stand (and sit) whilst in the boot.
m4tti said:
Get a discovery. We used to transport 2 dogue de Bordeauxs and a British bull dog all together in ours. Plenty of width and headroom, with added protection of having them up high.
Are you based down on the Kent coast,?sI aw people with that combo of dogs a few weeks ago and they looked amazing!Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff