Around 82% of owners say they feel worried about their dogs when they travel.
So it’s easy to see why many of us choose to avoid that heartache completely and take our pups along for the ride.
But if you love to travel or need to rack up the miles for work, what is the best dog to travel with?
Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash
25 Best Dogs To Travel With
Labrador
Chihuahua
French Bulldog
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Beagle
Boston Terrier
Shih Tzu
Dachshund
Maltese
Yorkshire Terrier
Whippet
Australian Shepherd
Affenpinscher
Golden Retriever
Havanese
Poodle
Bichon Frise
Shetland Sheepdog
Border Collie
Boxer
Portuguese Water Dog
Miniature Schnauzer
Cocker Spaniel
Jack Russell Terrier
Pomeranian
1. Labrador
It will come as no surprise to Labrador owners that this breed tops the list. These incredibly friendly, inquisitive, and easy-going dogs are perfect for taking journeys either as a twosome or as a whole family.
Moreover, when you get to your eventual destination your Lab’s mellow nature allows them to explore their new environment without too much anxiety.
Black Labrador standing on a rustic bridge. Photo by Ben Hanson on Unsplash
2. Chihuahua
From a larger dog to one of the smallest, Chihuahuas make naturally brilliant travel partners. Partially because of their size but also because of their brilliant adaptability, these tiny Mexican marvels have your back on the road.
Plus, at their heart, Chihuahuas are a sociable breed who love exploring new spaces and spending time with you. As an additional bonus, Chihuahuas tend to deal well with temperature changes. So traveling to new climates is not off the table.
3. French Bulldog
A quiet and calm breed, if you’ve got a Frenchie then you’ve got a companion who (somewhat counterintuitively) loves lying down almost as much as they like exploring.
Ultimately though, it’s their low energy levels that make Frenchies so good in the car. Obviously, each pet is different, but you can say with reasonable certainty that your French Bulldog will be chilling on the road.
French Bulldog with its tongue out, standing in front of a field. Photo byMay Gauthier on Unsplash
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Friendly, adaptable, and calm (as Spaniels go) your King Charles Spaniel will make a great travel partner. Much like the Labrador, “Cavies” are incredibly intelligent which ensures they remain as adaptable as possible.
One huge problem you might face, though, is their cuteness. Good luck keeping your eyes on the road with that cute little puddin’ next to you.
5. Beagle
Speaking of intelligence, Beagles are renowned for their smarts. But, they’re also well-known for being an incredibly fun-loving and inquisitive breed.
Now, you might think playfulness does “play well” in a vehicle or on your travels. However, because that nature to explore works in balance with their bouncy energy, they’ll be just as happy as you to be out on another adventure.
6. Boston Terrier
Much like the Frenchie, Boston Terriers are a super chilled breed. This laid-back nature makes them perfect for a road trip.
In addition to being super chill, Boston Terriers also boast a fair amount of adaptability in their trait settings. Making them perfect for exploring new spaces.
7. Shih Tzu
Sitting most of the day like elegant old ladies, Shih Tzus possess a calm demeanor and low propensity to bark which makes them great for heading out on the road with.
If you need to travel for work the Shih Tzu is perfect as, although it may be a lap dog, it shares little desire to get out and explore. Which could work well when you need to put in some time on the laptop or jump on a Zoom call.
Shih Tzu standing on autumnal leaves. Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash
8. Dachshund
It goes without saying, Dachshunds make incredible travel partners on account of their teeny tiny (but incredibly cute) frames. However, their propensity to bark can make it a little more tricky to move with them.
To combat your weiner getting a case of the barkies, it pays to put time into training and create a special bond between the two of you.
9. Maltese
Up until now, we’ve focused on car travel. While Maltese dogs do make excellent road partners, they are probably a perfect pick for acing air travel with your dog too.
Their caring and calm lap dog nature really shines through and, when paired with their diminutive frame, you get a perfect recipe for canine airplane adventures.
10. Yorkshire Terrier
With adaptability, a small frame, and an adventurous spirit spurring them on, Yorkshire Terriers are great at hitting the road.
Plus, those little legs don’t need as much exercise as the larger breeds. So even when you’re out enjoying your adventure you won’t need to explore too far - if you don’t want to, that is!
11. Whippet
Smart, friendly, and sociable, these are all the qualities that make Whippets one of the best dog breeds to travel with.
Their usually quiet and approachable demeanor also means they’re great when it comes to meeting new people and exploring new environments.
A Whippet dog lying on some sunny rocks. Photo byMitchell Orr onUnsplash
12. Australian Shepherd
One of the larger breeds, you’d think their size would mean they’re not the best choice of travel companion. But Australian Shepherds are incredibly intelligent.
Their big brains mean they can be easily trained to cope with time on the road, in fact, nothing engages a Shepherd more than a good training session or learning a new skill.
However, if you are thinking of traveling with your Australian Shepherd, you should be more proactive when it comes to planning stops.
13. Affenpinscher
If your journey is for an active holiday or you’re thinking of spending some time out on the trails, then an Affenpinscher is a great breed.
Their agility and high energy levels mean they can take on most active challenges. However, because of their small stature, Affenpinschers don’t take up much space in the car.
14. Golden Retriever
There are subtle differences between Golden Retrievers and Labradors. But the cousin of the Labrador is just as well-behaved in the vehicle.
With brains and beauty, Retrievers will do anything to make you happy. So make sure you reward them with lots of walkies, treats, and pets.
15. Havanese
The only dog breed native to Cuba is also one of the most travel-friendly dog breeds. Being small and super sociable means they have everything they need to enjoy new people and experiences.
Havanese dog lying among daisies. Image by JackieLou DLfrom Pixabay
16. Poodle
One of the most popular dog breeds in the world because of their charismatic behavior and looks. Poodles are also incredibly intelligent which means they are super easy to train and love the opportunity to learn new skills.
Toy Poodles are also rising in popularity and they are equally good on the road. The other good thing about the Poodle is their short hair which doesn’t shed, so won’t end up all over your upholstery.
17. Bichon Frise
Like little rays of sunshine, the Bichon Frise has a wonderfully upbeat personality. It’s this cheerful manner that makes them one of the best travel-friendly dog breeds.
Plus, like with many of the pups on this list, the Bichon Frise is a small dog so they’re not likely to crowd up the car.
Although, if you’re thinking of getting out into the great outdoors during your trip, you might want to think about grooming and how to keep your Bichon’s coat that beautiful white color.
Bichon Frise standing on a sand dune. Photo by John Holden on Unsplash
18. Shetland Sheepdog
Renowned for their intelligence as well as their passive personality. “Shelties” are great to train and love being around people or other animals.
This placid mentality and friendly nature ensure the Shetland Sheepdog also loves an adventure.
19. Border Collie
From one sheepdog to another. It will come as no surprise that the Border Collie has a place on this list. I mean, the breed has literally been brought up traveling around pastures in a farm truck.
Alongside that working dog heritage, Border Collies also boast incredible brains. They love training and taking on new environments. So get your Collie trained up and hit the asphalt.
Border Collie with its tongue out, standing in front of a forest. Photo byAnna Dudkova onUnsplash
20. Boxer
Although they are large and playful, Boxers are easy to train and have a low propensity to bark. So you should be in for a reasonably calm journey.
However, they do require lots of walkies to work that energy off. Absolutely perfect if you’re thinking of taking them on an active escape.
21. Portuguese Water Dog (PWG)
No prizes for guessing what this breed loves most. If you’re planning a trip to the coast, maybe the Florida Keys? Or one of the Great Lakes then a PWG would love to accompany you.
They love getting out into water, but their intelligence and friendly demeanor are what make them truly great travel buddies. Add into that mix the fact that they don’t shed much and you got a winner, right?
22. Miniature Schnauzer
Again, what makes the Miniature Schnauzer one of the best dogs to travel with is written in the name. Their little bodies and ability to take on any environment help make them awesome on the road.
23. Cocker Spaniel
The second Spaniel on the list, although Cockers are naturally playful and energetic many owners do find it easy to channel that energy into constructive tasks such as behavior training.
In addition, that energy also means they take to new environments reasonably happily.
Cocker Spaniel standing on a field in winter. Photo by Austin Kirk on Unsplash
24. Jack Russell Terrier
Our final stop in terrier town is to the humble abode of the Jack Russell Terrier. Of course, these teeny pups make great car buddies on account of their small size.
However, Jack Russells also boast super brains and are incredibly in tune with their owners. All this ensures they will stay well-behaved when on the road.
25. Pomeranian
Although they are known to be a little barky, it is possible to train that trait out of your Pom. And when you do manage to do that, you’ll be left with an incredible little dog that loves its owner.
One thing to be aware of when traveling with your Pomeranian is they do require a little bit of upkeep. Those luscious locks do shed and start to look a little worse for wear pretty quickly without proper brushing.
Pomeranian standing behind the horizontal slat on an external wooden fence. Photo by Austin Kirk on Unsplash
Top Tips For Traveling With Your Dog
Going on an adventure with your pup is a brilliant way to cement your relationship. It’s also a great way to show them that the car isn’t just there to take them to the V.E.T.
But, before you go, it’s important to prepare well and ensure your pet is ready for a stint on the road. Getting out there too soon could cause issues like car sickness in dogs.
Luckily, we’ve got some top tips for you:
Do some practice runs to get them used to the car (increase the distance each time)
Bring their favorite blanket and put it on their seat
Visit the vet before you go to ensure your pet is healthy
Plan in rest stops - this is good for you and the dog
Take a pet first aid kit (because it’s better to be prepared)
Get a good carrier
Find pet-friendly accommodation (we got you covered for this)
Start Exploring Today With A Pet-Friendly Hotel
Getting out on the road with one of the best dogs to travel with is a great way to see the country and make some lasting memories with your pooch.
Now all you need to do is plan some rest stops. We’ve got you covered though.
Check out our list of top pet-friendly hotels in the US now and start mapping out your journey.