Open the door, let the dog in, close the door. If only taking our four-legged friends with us were that simple! Here’s what you need to know about travelling with dogs in the car, whether you need a dog car seat, and what special considerations – particularly in summer – apply to electric cars. Keyword: Hot Dog.
For our dog, only the best will do: fancy collars, gourmet treats, and even trips to the groomer when necessary. As a beloved member of the family, we spare no expense, but when it comes to car travel, we often become a bit too relaxed about their and our own safety. Transporting dogs is actually regulated by law. According to Section 23 of the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO), dogs are considered cargo. Yes, you read that correctly. As such, dogs must be properly secured. While there’s no seatbelt requirement, failing to properly secure your dog puts both your pet and yourself at risk. In an accident, there’s also danger to other road users. If you’re caught by the police, there’s a fine in Germany. If the dog isn’t secured, it costs €35, and if other road users are endangered, it’s €60 and one point on your licence. But the consequences for the dog can be far more serious.
Many of us at the team are dog owners and love taking our pets everywhere, whether as a trail dog, in a dog trailer (check out our dog trailer test here), or in the car. We’ve gathered plenty of experience on how to transport four-legged companions safely and comfortably in a car or electric vehicle.
Harness, Barrier, or Box – How Shoul I Secure My Dog in the Car?
There are no specific legal regulations, just the requirement that the dog is adequately secured during travel. Whether that’s on the passenger seat, back seat, or in the boot of an estate car is up to you. Depending on the dog and the space in the car, there are various options for securing them. The right method depends on many factors, such as the size and temperament of the dog, the size of the car, and whether you prefer to transport the dog and luggage separately.
Dog car seat
Firstly there’s no seatbelt requirement for dogs, but they must be secured. For smaller dogs, a special car harness is ideal. The dog should never be secured by the collar alone but should wear a special, tested chest harness to avoid strangulation. Depending on the model, this harness can be attached to the seatbelt or directly to the seat belt buckle. There are even special dog car seats that can be fastened to the car seat, but it’s important to secure the dog with a special transport harness. These special seats can also double as travel beds for the dog and protect car seats from dirt and hair. A car harness needs to be chosen very carefully to avoid injury to the dog. Therefore, using a dog barrier or transport box can also be a good solution.
Dog behind bars
You can use barriers to secure the front seats or back seats. Most common are rear barriers that prevent the cargo – in this case your dog – from flying through the car in the event of a sudden stop. While dog barriers are not explicitly required by law, they meet the requirements for securing cargo. A downside is that they don’t always fit every vehicle, so it’s advisable to look for providers who offer custom-fit barriers. This ensures a secure attachment of the barriers to the vehicle. Some cars, like the Range Rover PLUG-IN HYBRID (PHEV), offer suitable dog barriers as accessories. However, a partition barrier should only be used as an additional measure, complemented by special transport boxes.
Dog in a transport box
In estate cars and vans, the dog can travel in a transport box in the boot, but if the box is smaller than the boot, it should be additionally secured to prevent it from being thrown around. This also applies to boxes on the back seat. Smaller dogs in boxes can be safely transported in the footwell behind the front seat. Generally, the size of the dog and the box should be proportionate: the dog should be comfortable and able to lie down but not be at risk of being thrown around inside the box. Some bike trailers can also double as dog transport boxes.
How Do I Protect My Car?
Once the dog’s safety is ensured, there are numerous ways to protect your car from dirt and scratches. Dogs that enter through the tailgate can unintentionally leave scratches. Applying a special paint protection film can help. Additional blankets protect the interior from dirt and moisture.
Older, younger, and heavier dogs often can’t or shouldn’t jump into the boot. A ramp can help, protecting both the dog and the car’s paint. For example, Range Rover offers a pet ramp as part of a special pet package.
What’s the Ideal Car for a Dog?
Not every dog owner has the perfect car for their dog right away. If you’re considering changing your vehicle, consider the following questions:
- How big is the dog, and is the boot large enough for both luggage and the dog?
- How high is the loading edge?
- Are there enough storage spaces?
- Are there factory-fitted dog-friendly packages available?
- How is the air conditioning?
Hot Dog or Frozen Dog – Can I Leave My Dog in the Car?
The comfort of an estate car and ample space for the dog are nice, but climate control in the car can be vital for the dog’s survival: Even at an outside temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, it can get dangerously hot inside because of sunlight, as explained by the Tasso campaign “Dog in the Oven”. Dogs don’t sweat through their skin, so they can quickly overheat on hot summer days. So remember: Never leave the car with the dog inside in direct sunlight. This is where the advantages of an electric car come into play: many electric cars can cool (or warm) the interior even when parked with the engine off. Tesla demonstrates this with its Dog Mode, allowing the driver to maintain a consistent cool temperature inside the car. A display inside the car reassures passers-by that the air conditioning is on, avoiding broken windows and unnecessary emergency services calls. Our editor Patrick even uses the Dog Mode for his son, ensuring he doesn’t set off the alarm with his movements.
Mercedes also offers climate control via the Mercedes Me app. Nevertheless, don’t blindly rely on technology, and never leave pets in a parked car in direct sunlight. Polestar’s Occupant Detection System in the Polestar 3 uses four radar sensors to monitor movements inside the vehicle. The system prevents locking and triggers an acoustic warning if movement is detected. If the driver locks the car from the central display, the air conditioning stays on to prevent overheating or hypothermia.
Driving Style
It should go without saying, but an adapted driving style can make car journeys more comfortable for dogs. Electric cars can accelerate quickly – tempting! But dogs don’t enjoy it as much as owners do. Switching to Creep mode when braking can help reduce stress for the dog. Likewise, sporty driving through curves can be tiring for dogs as they can’t brace themselves. A generally anticipatory driving style ensures the dog is eager to hop back in for the next trip.
Even though the law considers dogs as cargo that must be properly secured, we should take their individual needs into account. Anything that makes car travel easier for them will ensure more relaxed journeys. This includes a thoughtful use of climate control in electric cars and adapting your driving style.
Words: Susanne Feddersen Photos: Antonia Feder
