Getting a medium sized dog... SUV or estate?

[carparkno1]

Green light has been given on a new mutt. Currently in a 1 series coupe... Am guessing after a few months any labrador / spaniel / collie type dog is going to be a bit of a struggle in and out of the back seats, plus there's a potential chance of tiny feet arriving at some point down the line.

So... Anyone got experience of owning dogs & babies with awkward cars? Persevere or shall I just admit I fancy a change and get a decent used motor? And if so what's better... Estate or Toureg /Rangie/X5 type thing. Ignoring engine and mpg etc, just taking pure dimensions and easiness of getting things in and out.

[green911]

Worth considering the load bay height, as mutt will have to leap in, particularly if wet & muddy and whilst young. Small medium dog might be better with estate.

Not an issue with medium/big dog - I can recommend Volvo XC90/Rhodesian Ridgeback combo (Although fans of the letter 'R' would go down Range Rover route!)

[TurboHatchback]

I don't know the first thing about babies but I do know you don't need a Range Rover to carry a spaniel around, just sit him on the back seat and tie the lead to the seatbelt to stop him moving about.

[carparkno1]

TurboHatchback said:

I don't know the first thing about babies but I do know you don't need a Range Rover to carry a spaniel around, just sit him on the back seat and tie the lead to the seatbelt to stop him moving about.

You're absolutely right. I'm just looking at what's gigantic and then working down to what's sensible! :-)

[Impasse]

carparkno1 said:

TurboHatchback said:

I don't know the first thing about babies but I do know you don't need a Range Rover to carry a spaniel around, just sit him on the back seat and tie the lead to the seatbelt to stop him moving about.

You're absolutely right. I'm just looking at what's gigantic and then working down to what's sensible! :-)

Just ensure you make every part of the back seat unchewable*, unslobberable* and undirtypawable* - preferably by unbolting everything.

Buy a car with a big boot (4x4 or estate) and fit a proper cage for the animal. He/she will be happier and safer.


*all of these are real words and not in any way made up.

[lemonoo7]

I have a dogue do bordeaux and a boxer. I have a mark 1 Yaris. It's not too bad with the rear seats done, only problem is I look like a dubber with lowered suspension. Size doesn't always count.

[TurboHatchback]

Impasse said:

carparkno1 said:

TurboHatchback said:

I don't know the first thing about babies but I do know you don't need a Range Rover to carry a spaniel around, just sit him on the back seat and tie the lead to the seatbelt to stop him moving about.

You're absolutely right. I'm just looking at what's gigantic and then working down to what's sensible! :-)

Just ensure you make every part of the back seat unchewable*, unslobberable* and undirtypawable* - preferably by unbolting everything.

Buy a car with a big boot (4x4 or estate) and fit a proper cage for the animal. He/she will be happier and safer.


*all of these are real words and not in any way made up.

Or just keep a towel in the boot to give him a rub down when wet/muddy and train him not to chew on the car. If you already have a huge car then by all means put the dog in the boot but the idea that you need one is a bit daft.

[S10GTA]

carparkno1 said:

So... Anyone got experience of owning dogs & babies with awkward cars? Persevere or shall I just admit I fancy a change and get a decent used motor? And if so what's better... Estate or Toureg /Rangie/X5 type thing. Ignoring engine and mpg etc, just taking pure dimensions and easiness of getting things in and out.

Yep, me.

I've had a C4 VTS, Xsara VTS, Xanta hatch which were all useless. You could only get two out of following in: Baby/Pushchair/Dogs/Bike Now have a XC70 and its awesome, everything fits.

[Furyjoell]

It's worth bearing in mind that once the pooch gets a little older it may struggle to jump into the boot of a higher car. I noticed how much easier my dog found it just from switching from my old hatch with a fairly high load lip, to my Mazda 6 Estate. I used to have to give him a boost with the old car and the bugger isn't light.
Also I'd pick an estate over an SUV for everything (barring offroad work) but that's just me.

[carparkno1]

lemonoo7 said:

I have a dogue do bordeaux and a boxer. I have a mark 1 Yaris. It's not too bad with the rear seats done, only problem is I look like a dubber with lowered suspension. Size doesn't always count.

I would pay good money to see that. Brilliant dogs as well.

[RGambo]

Two spaniels and 3 daughters. Cars are mini clubman, RS6 avant. We can all fit in the mini for short trips, RS for longer ones. The spaniels love the back of the mini as they don't rattle round.
Really don't see why you'd need a X5 or that type of vehicle.

[sw67]

Had estate and lab could jump in no problem - i have an suv now and i need to lift him in.

Going back to estate next time.

[Tresco]

If it's largely for the dog and you've got the space for a second car have you considered a useable classic or whatever the term is, I chauffeur our German Shepherd to the park in a 1989 S124, bought three years ago for under £2k and probably worth the same now, also great for the tip run and I never worry where I park it.

[carparkno1]

Tresco said:

If it's largely for the dog and you've got the space for a second car have you considered a useable classic or whatever the term is, I chauffeur our German Shepherd to the park in a 1989 S124, bought three years ago for under £2k and probably worth the same now, also great for the tip run and I never worry where I park it.

We have a contender!

[Jasandjules]

I use a Passat estate as the dog wagon.

[Tresco]

carparkno1 said:

Tresco said:

If it's largely for the dog and you've got the space for a second car have you considered a useable classic or whatever the term is, I chauffeur our German Shepherd to the park in a 1989 S124, bought three years ago for under £2k and probably worth the same now, also great for the tip run and I never worry where I park it.

We have a contender!

My work here is done..

[Willy Nilly]

Go to Wales and you will see working Border Collies riding in small tractor cabs, why do you think you need a big car to fit one in? It's a medium sized dog not a fully grown Charolais bull, and babies are dead small too.

[LordHaveMurci]

Our cocker spaniel & westie are equally happy in the footwell of my 996 or the boot of the Clio or Focus. We also have two kids.
If you want a big car then buy one, don't use a dog as the excuse

[Impasse]

Willy Nilly said:

Go to Wales and you will see working Border Collies riding in small tractor cabs, why do you think you need a big car to fit one in? It's a medium sized dog not a fully grown Charolais bull, and babies are dead small too.

LordHaveMurci said:

Our cocker spaniel & westie are equally happy in the footwell of my 996 or the boot of the Clio or Focus. We also have two kids.
If you want a big car then buy one, don't use a dog as the excuse

These are, of course, valid points. But should you be involved in a crash at motorway speeds you really don't want to have something as heavy as a dog being flung around the cabin while the car goes through its deceleration. It's very bad for the dog and the car's occupants.
A car with a big enough boot for a suitable cage is always best in these scenarios, but your mileage and opinions may vary.

[S10GTA]

Willy Nilly said:

Go to Wales and you will see working Border Collies riding in small tractor cabs, why do you think you need a big car to fit one in? It's a medium sized dog not a fully grown Charolais bull, and babies are dead small too.

Quite, but why make life harder than it needs to be.

S10GTA - estate convert.