Best car for loading dogs?
Discussion
Hi all,
An elderly friend has asked me to look for a new car for her, but I haven't looked at new cars for decades - your suggestions will be appreciated.
She's early 80's, used to a larger car (currently a Mondeo estate) and is starting to struggle to lift 2 small dogs into the crates in the boot.
She want's a large-ish car, 1 or 2 years old, that she can get the dogs into harnessess on the back seat without too much struggle,
All-round parking sensors are a must, as is automatic gearbox. Other than that, there are no restrictions.
Is there something feasible out there, or are most cars pretty similar in dimensions these days (sports and exotica excluded)?
An elderly friend has asked me to look for a new car for her, but I haven't looked at new cars for decades - your suggestions will be appreciated.
She's early 80's, used to a larger car (currently a Mondeo estate) and is starting to struggle to lift 2 small dogs into the crates in the boot.
She want's a large-ish car, 1 or 2 years old, that she can get the dogs into harnessess on the back seat without too much struggle,
All-round parking sensors are a must, as is automatic gearbox. Other than that, there are no restrictions.
Is there something feasible out there, or are most cars pretty similar in dimensions these days (sports and exotica excluded)?
Buy a dog ramp or teach the dog to jump into the boot or back seat and buy what ever she wants.
https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/light-weig...
https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/light-weig...
Not sure if she'd be interested but I would bin the idea of lifting and suggest a Honda Civic/Jazz that has the Magic seats
Lift up the bases of the Magic Seats and it's the perfect area for dogs. They just walk in, no need for lifting or anything like that and it's a great space that's contained by the front and rear seats with small hump between the rear footwells.
It's what we use for our dogs. Ours is an 07 cheapy special Jazz but it's perfect for them.
It's filthy inside, but that's why we got it, to stop the other cars getting messed up
Lift up the bases of the Magic Seats and it's the perfect area for dogs. They just walk in, no need for lifting or anything like that and it's a great space that's contained by the front and rear seats with small hump between the rear footwells.
It's what we use for our dogs. Ours is an 07 cheapy special Jazz but it's perfect for them.
It's filthy inside, but that's why we got it, to stop the other cars getting messed up
Edited by juice on Wednesday 28th April 08:51
juice said:
Not sure if she'd be interested but I would bin the idea of lifting and suggest a Honda Civic/Jazz that has the Magic seats
Lift up the bases of the Magic Seats and it's the perfect area for dogs. They just walk in, no need for lifting or anything like that and it's a great space that's contained by the front and rear seats with small hump between the rear footwells.
It's what we use for our dogs. Ours is an 07 cheapy special Jazz but it's perfect for them.
It's filthy inside, but that's why we got it, to stop the other cars getting messed up
Thar is absolutely brilliant. Lift up the bases of the Magic Seats and it's the perfect area for dogs. They just walk in, no need for lifting or anything like that and it's a great space that's contained by the front and rear seats with small hump between the rear footwells.
It's what we use for our dogs. Ours is an 07 cheapy special Jazz but it's perfect for them.
It's filthy inside, but that's why we got it, to stop the other cars getting messed up
Edited by juice on Wednesday 28th April 08:51
juice said:
Not sure if she'd be interested but I would bin the idea of lifting and suggest a Honda Civic/Jazz that has the Magic seats
Lift up the bases of the Magic Seats and it's the perfect area for dogs. They just walk in, no need for lifting or anything like that and it's a great space that's contained by the front and rear seats with small hump between the rear footwells.
It's what we use for our dogs. Ours is an 07 cheapy special Jazz but it's perfect for them.
It's filthy inside, but that's why we got it, to stop the other cars getting messed up
That’s a brilliant idea I wonder why more cars don’t do it, only seen it before in an f150 pickup! Lift up the bases of the Magic Seats and it's the perfect area for dogs. They just walk in, no need for lifting or anything like that and it's a great space that's contained by the front and rear seats with small hump between the rear footwells.
It's what we use for our dogs. Ours is an 07 cheapy special Jazz but it's perfect for them.
It's filthy inside, but that's why we got it, to stop the other cars getting messed up
Edited by juice on Wednesday 28th April 08:51
Glenn63 said:
juice said:
Not sure if she'd be interested but I would bin the idea of lifting and suggest a Honda Civic/Jazz that has the Magic seats
Lift up the bases of the Magic Seats and it's the perfect area for dogs. They just walk in, no need for lifting or anything like that and it's a great space that's contained by the front and rear seats with small hump between the rear footwells.
It's what we use for our dogs. Ours is an 07 cheapy special Jazz but it's perfect for them.
It's filthy inside, but that's why we got it, to stop the other cars getting messed up
That’s a brilliant idea I wonder why more cars don’t do it, only seen it before in an f150 pickup! Lift up the bases of the Magic Seats and it's the perfect area for dogs. They just walk in, no need for lifting or anything like that and it's a great space that's contained by the front and rear seats with small hump between the rear footwells.
It's what we use for our dogs. Ours is an 07 cheapy special Jazz but it's perfect for them.
It's filthy inside, but that's why we got it, to stop the other cars getting messed up
Edited by juice on Wednesday 28th April 08:51
How u doing said:
juice said:
Not sure if she'd be interested but I would bin the idea of lifting and suggest a Honda Civic/Jazz that has the Magic seats
Lift up the bases of the Magic Seats and it's the perfect area for dogs. They just walk in, no need for lifting or anything like that and it's a great space that's contained by the front and rear seats with small hump between the rear footwells.
It's what we use for our dogs. Ours is an 07 cheapy special Jazz but it's perfect for them.
It's filthy inside, but that's why we got it, to stop the other cars getting messed up
Thar is absolutely brilliant. Lift up the bases of the Magic Seats and it's the perfect area for dogs. They just walk in, no need for lifting or anything like that and it's a great space that's contained by the front and rear seats with small hump between the rear footwells.
It's what we use for our dogs. Ours is an 07 cheapy special Jazz but it's perfect for them.
It's filthy inside, but that's why we got it, to stop the other cars getting messed up
Edited by juice on Wednesday 28th April 08:51
sherman said:
Buy a dog ramp or teach the dog to jump into the boot or back seat and buy what ever she wants.
https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/light-weig...
If only it was that easy - my last dog wouldn't go near a ramp, they can be quite steep with some cars. I'd second the Honda option, we ahve a civic with the fold up rear seats and couple of dogs fit with ease. One thing I'd say though is that I like to double up on securing the seat bottoms with a bungee cord, don't want to find you haven't clipped them up quite right and have one guillotine the doggo underneath :Ohttps://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/light-weig...
mikeyr said:
sherman said:
Buy a dog ramp or teach the dog to jump into the boot or back seat and buy what ever she wants.
https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/light-weig...
If only it was that easy - my last dog wouldn't go near a ramp, they can be quite steep with some cars. https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/light-weig...
There are several style of ramps and even steps available too.
Ford B-MAX or Ford Grand C-MAX have to be options? Both have sliding doors, the B-MAX has no b pillar at all so very good access to rear seats.
Dont think either are made any more but I think the last of the line are maybe 3-4 years old. You can defo get with auto box. £10-12k ish for either.
The other option is a Berlingo. You can get that nearly new for sub £20k. Auto. Decent spec. Or a 2-3 year old one for £12-14k.
HTH
Dont think either are made any more but I think the last of the line are maybe 3-4 years old. You can defo get with auto box. £10-12k ish for either.
The other option is a Berlingo. You can get that nearly new for sub £20k. Auto. Decent spec. Or a 2-3 year old one for £12-14k.
HTH
sherman said:
mikeyr said:
sherman said:
Buy a dog ramp or teach the dog to jump into the boot or back seat and buy what ever she wants.
https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/light-weig...
If only it was that easy - my last dog wouldn't go near a ramp, they can be quite steep with some cars. https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/light-weig...
There are several style of ramps and even steps available too.
But if my in-law's dopey old (he's 11, bless him) Labradog can learn how to use a ramp, any dog can!
Having said that, he's got it in his head he can't go up at the moment so we're having to train him again.
FunkyNige said:
That's what we do - but my Disco Sport's boot lip is high that the ramp was really long and couldn't fit in the boot! The other cars they go in are a Grand Cherokee and A6 estate where they can get away with shorter ramps.
But if my in-law's dopey old (he's 11, bless him) Labradog can learn how to use a ramp, any dog can!
Having said that, he's got it in his head he can't go up at the moment so we're having to train him again.
We've used the exact same ramp for over 10 years, first of all with our old labs and now with our St Bernard - they all used it with no fuss at allBut if my in-law's dopey old (he's 11, bless him) Labradog can learn how to use a ramp, any dog can!
Having said that, he's got it in his head he can't go up at the moment so we're having to train him again.
Cars its been used on are X5, X3, Q5, Disco4, XC90 and new defender with no issues, we also store it behind front seat when the dog is in the car
It is a tad on the heavy side though but smaller versions are available.
It may also be an idea to consider a car with air suspension as you can then lower it a bit to make loading easier
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