V8V + Spaniel.

Author
Discussion

TDS86

Original Poster:

496 posts

158 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
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Afternoon everyone.

I'm in the process of saving for a V8V. I'm about 1/3 of the way there and if all goes well will be in a position to buy in 12-18 months time.

In a normal world, there'd be no problem, it'll be a second car and the oh is on-board.

The issue is, we're a couple of months away from getting a cocker spaniel. As such, weekends are going to be taken up taking the dog out and accompanying us to visit various friends and family who are dotted around the country. I.E the type of things that I'd be using the Aston for.

The question, members of the forum, is how will a cocker cope in a V8V. The longest journey we'd do regularly is about 2.5 hours (Manchester to Gloucestershire every 6 weeks or so) and the rest will be shorter trips of up-to an hour.

My initial thought was that it could sit in the passenger footwell or go in a soft bag in the boot with the parcel shelf removed. Friends with the same dog manage in a smart car so fingers crossed there's a solution. I know it's a long-way off but
I'm keen to get something worked out sooner rather than later so I can look at alternative ways to spend my car-fund!



LordHaveMurci

12,045 posts

170 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
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We have a 12yr old working Cocker & he is more than happy in the front footwell of my 996, longest journey has probably been around 2.5hrs smile

JACK6284

328 posts

224 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
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A well behaved dog "could" lay behind the two seats on the shelf above the battery and first aid kit otherwise the boot with the parcel shelf removed will work. Plus the exhaust sounds louder that way too :-)

ds2000

2,690 posts

193 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all
I'd say you'll be fine if you're getting a puppy and can get them use to the car from an early stage.

My late Springer was a rescue at 12 and was a complete and utter nob in the car.... he didn't get near the Vantage smile

Oddly, with the engine off, you'd often find him curled up in the back of my old Prelude.....


Edited by ds2000 on Thursday 27th August 16:04

Jibberingloon

848 posts

201 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all
Just don't leave him on his own with the car you never know what could happen!!

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/aston-martin-...


DAVIDOXE

494 posts

115 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
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As cute as Hugo is he is banned from looking at Aston.
We are fortunate enough to have my works hilux for taking him places.

Jon39

12,840 posts

144 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all
I have a dog which is probably similarly sized to your (intended) when fully grown.
She does not travel in my V8V, because it would probably be unkind to the dog, apart from what those claws might accidentally do to the interior leather. We all love our dogs, and would not want them to have an unpleasant experience.

Footwell - little space with passengers legs, and the dog could not see out. This can result in a dog becoming worried by sudden changes of direction, and possibly developing future stress during all car travel. Unfortunately my dog later in life, developed this condition. I won't go into the details, you might be having afternoon tea.

Storage behind the seats - you must be joking. It would-be like putting a dog in a strait jacket.

Boot - do you like ketchup on your hot dog? Heat from the silencer, and the heat from
the sun through the very large glass, you would not want to be cramped in there.

In case you did not see the news item a while ago, don't let your dog take any interest in the front wings. - smile



Edited by Jon39 on Thursday 27th August 16:34

TuonoPants

284 posts

145 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all
How tall is your OH? The passenger footwell in the Vantage is quite short so is a bit cramped for longer legged folk, I couldn't imagine anything but a petite passenger and a very small well-behaved dog being comfortable together for any length of time.

I wouldn't put any dog in the boot of an Aston, it would be too cramped and claustrophobic.

But that's just my opinion, I have a large Labrador so have never tried to get him in the Aston as I know he wouldn't fit!

TDS86

Original Poster:

496 posts

158 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all
The OH isn't too tall. Maybe about 5' 4" so a spaniel should fit into the footwell for shorter journeys.

I'm not overly concerned about claws and leather etc. As I see it, cars are there to be used - even if it's an Aston, it's got to earn it's keep.

I think the answer might be to use the Aston for shorter trips as a three and then the other car for longer journeys. When it's fully grown, the BMW will be on the cusp of being changed for something bigger, so it's not the end of the world.

Thanks for the help though - the internet's surprisingly light on information about this kind of thing......

Mallinson1984

119 posts

156 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
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I must say here OP, owning a pet comes with responsibilities! The welfare of the animal must be the number one consideration here not the enjoyment you can get out of journeys where he shall be joining you! I don't think you should be considering a 2 person vehicle if you would like to take the dog everywhere with you!

On the other hand, find yourself a nice place where the dog can stay and be care for whilst you go on said voyages and enjoy your V8V along the way. This way the poor animal won't have to endure cramped, uncomfortable and unsafe journeys! Simples.

Please let common sense see you through this!

CSK1

1,608 posts

125 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
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Have you considered a Range Rover?

Jon39

12,840 posts

144 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
quotequote all

TDS86 said:
I'm not overly concerned about claws and leather etc. As I see it, cars are there to be used - even if it's an Aston, it's got to earn it's keep.

Never read that before on this forum.
Most Aston buyers are extremely fussy about condition.
Try selling an Aston with a damaged interior, and the prospective buyers will run.
Perhaps replacing seat covering might sound easy, until you are told the cost.


gf15

988 posts

267 months

Thursday 27th August 2015
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We have 2 English cockers and were in a similar position. I wanted a BMW z4 M Coupe, but boot was too small, so ended up with a BM 6 series which has small rear seats with belts, so we can use the harnesses.

A Vantage / Jag F type coupe may be on the cards, so we are really interested to see how you get on. Keep us updated and Good luck

Omaruk

625 posts

160 months

Friday 28th August 2015
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The boot would have more room than the footwell. But the floor of the boot does get pretty warm due to the exhaust underneath

Omaruk

625 posts

160 months

Friday 28th August 2015
quotequote all
The boot would have more room than the footwell. But the floor of the boot does get pretty warm due to the exhaust underneath

TDS86

Original Poster:

496 posts

158 months

Friday 28th August 2015
quotequote all
Mallinson1984 said:
I must say here OP, owning a pet comes with responsibilities! The welfare of the animal must be the number one consideration here not the enjoyment you can get out of journeys where he shall be joining you! I don't think you should be considering a 2 person vehicle if you would like to take the dog everywhere with you!

On the other hand, find yourself a nice place where the dog can stay and be care for whilst you go on said voyages and enjoy your V8V along the way. This way the poor animal won't have to endure cramped, uncomfortable and unsafe journeys! Simples.

Please let common sense see you through this!
I'm well aware it will, which is why if it's not feasible I'm not going to get one. (Aston that is, the spaniel is non-negotiable)

TDS86

Original Poster:

496 posts

158 months

Friday 28th August 2015
quotequote all
Jon39 said:
TDS86 said:
I'm not overly concerned about claws and leather etc. As I see it, cars are there to be used - even if it's an Aston, it's got to earn it's keep.

Never read that before on this forum.
Most Aston buyers are extremely fussy about condition.
Try selling an Aston with a damaged interior, and the prospective buyers will run.
Perhaps replacing seat covering might sound easy, until you are told the cost.
It's not that it's going to be used like an old Land-Rover and the interior will be left to damage. If I do down the route of an aston, then I'll take sensible precautions.

Phil74891

1,067 posts

134 months

Friday 28th August 2015
quotequote all
I have a Vantage, and while I can comfortably fit a bike in the back, there's no way my dog's getting anywhere near it. He's a bit bigger mind, being a Lab/Collie cross.

I would get the best Vantage you can, and keep it nice, then another bigger car to easily fit the hound in to give him/her a safe and enjoyable ride. Then you won't have to worry about the hair, teeth and claw marks, not fogetting the inevitable dog vomit......