What is your mastiff hauler?

[Abby&Fiona]

Just got a new Ford Flex for my two monsters and it's perfect. I couldn't ask for a better car. Hubby has a F150 that we need to get a cap for so they can ride in the back of that too.
Just don't get the four door Jeep Wrangler. Consumer Reports rated it the worst vehicle ever made and actually recommend that people do not buy it what so ever. I was like WOW!

lol the four door is NOT a jeep Even the newer widened 2 doors are not nearly as capable as 2005 and prior....... :-D Just sayin.

 

[leonardo/brownie]

I haul my boy in the back of my Audi A4, not the roomiest car in the back seat, but he's only 130lbs so its not too tight; not much hair since i have him trimmed always, but there is slobber all over the place, in the head rests, in the windows (off of which he is ALWAYS hanging out), in the door panels, and yes, all over my arm and neck, so i keep a towel around... "don't forget to bring a towel"
I'm thinking of getting an old Cherokee, i used to have one and they r good and reliable, and if u fold the back seat the dogs have plenty of room and windows to enjoy themselves

 

[dpenning]

I haul my boy in the back of my Audi A4, not the roomiest car in the back seat, but he's only 130lbs so its not too tight; not much hair since i have him trimmed always, but there is slobber all over the place, in the head rests, in the windows (off of which he is ALWAYS hanging out), in the door panels, and yes, all over my arm and neck, so i keep a towel around... "don't forget to bring a towel"
I'm thinking of getting an old Cherokee, i used to have one and they r good and reliable, and if u fold the back seat the dogs have plenty of room and windows to enjoy themselves

Ok, now we are talking the size I'm looking at in convertibles. The A5 convertible is on my short list. I really don't want to drive a tank if I don't have to. Of course all the convertibles are 2 door so I'm having a hard time picturing a dog being able to get into the back. I may be stuck with an SUV but it won't be for lack of trying!

 

[PuppyPaws]

I don't yet have a mastiff but one day plan to! I currently have 3 other furry monsters. We just purchased a used Honda Element. Not the prettiest vehicle but I LOVE it! (Never thought I would either until I got in it and took a look around.) It was MADE for hauling dogs! Plenty of head room even for giant breeds. The flooring is vinyl. It is soooo easy to wipe down and vaccum out! The leg room between the back seat and front seat is HUGE. I can put a huge dog bed on the floor behind the front seat and there is plenty of room for my boxer to stretch out and snooze. The back seats can also be completely removed or folded up and to the side of the vehichle. The can also be folded flat to sleep on. I have also been told if you are a "camping" fan there is a camper attachment for the back. It has a tailgate type rear. It may look like a toaster on wheels but it is completely "utility" and "pet friendly". (It also turns on a dime.) Did I say I "LOVE" it???

If your in the market for a dog hauler, check it out!

 

[suzu600r]

2009 Ford F-150 supercrew all the way. Plenty of room for my EM but not both dogs. We are looking at getting an SUV as we need it with 3 kids and 2 dogs lol

 

[Caleb]

2009 Ford F-150 supercrew all the way. Plenty of room for my EM but not both dogs. We are looking at getting an SUV as we need it with 3 kids and 2 dogs lol

I second this. Just fold the seats up in the back and you could put a cow back there. Ive got 3 kids as well....all in car seats. That is why the dog usually rides in the Forrester behind the seats, but when It's just me and the dog, The F 150 is hard to beat.

 

[dpenning]

I don't yet have a mastiff but one day plan to! I currently have 3 other furry monsters. We just purchased a used Honda Element. Not the prettiest vehicle but I LOVE it! (Never thought I would either until I got in it and took a look around.) It was MADE for hauling dogs! Plenty of head room even for giant breeds. The flooring is vinyl. It is soooo easy to wipe down and vaccum out! The leg room between the back seat and front seat is HUGE. I can put a huge dog bed on the floor behind the front seat and there is plenty of room for my boxer to stretch out and snooze. The back seats can also be completely removed or folded up and to the side of the vehichle. The can also be folded flat to sleep on. I have also been told if you are a "camping" fan there is a camper attachment for the back. It has a tailgate type rear. It may look like a toaster on wheels but it is completely "utility" and "pet friendly". (It also turns on a dime.) Did I say I "LOVE" it???

If your in the market for a dog hauler, check it out!

You are so right! I forgot about those. I used to have a ridgeline and loved it. I saw the element back then and thought the inside was cool, too bad about the outside. LOL That might have to get a second look. Spacious but not a tank.

 

[lilliesmomma]

I drive my 2 door dodge challenger and they fit. My moms drives the same car (diff color) but her biggest at 250 rides fine in the back seat. What ive learned is that if you plan to take them in the car alot start them off as puppies, going everywhere.

That is so true, start them little riding in the car. I got Lillie at 4 months, she came via car ride from VA. Not sure if that was a bad ride for her or not but she is hard as heck to get in the car now..I wish I had thought about taking her for pleasure rides.
BTW I drive a Kia Sorento, plenty of room in the back (when I can get her there)

 

[dpenning]

I drive my 2 door dodge challenger and they fit. My moms drives the same car (diff color) but her biggest at 250 rides fine in the back seat. What ive learned is that if you plan to take them in the car alot start them off as puppies, going everywhere.

Moose, that is a good point. I plan on taking the dog on lots of pleasure outings for just that reason. The car I really want is the Infiniti convertible but I wasn't sure about them being able to climb in and out of the back seat in a 2 door. If you start early do they get used to it?

 

[PuppyPaws]

You are so right! I forgot about those. I used to have a ridgeline and loved it. I saw the element back then and thought the inside was cool, too bad about the outside. LOL That might have to get a second look. Spacious but not a tank.

It is definately worth consideration. When I saw the "Element" on the road prior to being in the market, I remember saying to myself...
"Why on earth would someone by a BOX?" I didn't like the look of them at all. But I had never looked inside one until I was shopping. It was just a whim that I even agreed to go over to it. When I got in it, the first thing I said to my husband was, "This would be great for hauling the dogs!" He agreed and we really have enjoyed it. I even have surprised myself... Now, I actually like the look of the whole vehicle (except the back). I guess you could say she has her "good sides" -straight on or profile only My friends thought I had lost my mind a bit I think, but I honestly LOVE the car. The standard sound system in it is pretty awesome too! We have an older model so the gas mileage is not super, but decent. I think I get about 20 mpg in city and 23/24 hwy. The newer models have better gas mileage, I think. I have heard the 2011 is the last model year for the Element so, you might find a used newer model at a decent price point. At this point, I would purchase another.

My husband loves it too. He drives a VUE with a standard transmission. He would love to drive the Element but I don't do well at all with a standard so there's not much choice for him. The dogs have done fine in the VUE behind the bench seats, but we would definately NOT purchase another VUE. It has been trouble from the get-go almost. It won't be long before it gives out on us and we will be looking again. Let us know what you decided on.

 

[dsaw247]

Moose, that is a good point. I plan on taking the dog on lots of pleasure outings for just that reason. The car I really want is the Infiniti convertible but I wasn't sure about them being able to climb in and out of the back seat in a 2 door. If you start early do they get used to it?

My English mastiff was only 26 lbs when he started riding in my Camaro. Now at 7 months, he still gets in and out of my 2 door car just fine. I've found that it's always easiest to let him out on the side he's laying towards or facing...even if I feel that he's a booger for making me walk to the passenger side sometimes. I know he still has a lot of growing to do, but so far the whole getting in the back of a 2 door car hasn't been a problem. Honestly, he enjoys riding in my small backseat better than our F-150 where he has more room.

 

[moose]

Yeah I have never really had any isssues with the two door, and I actually switched from a four door to a two door. Also I think its important to have the puppy get use to the back seat, I know alot of people who like to hold the puppy up in the front when there tiny only to have them get bigger but still wanting to be up front.

 

[Farakin]

This is a funny thread. I drive a Silverado atm and I really want to get rid of it and get a GTO or a Genesis Coupe because I am in a sports car mood. As I was looking at the GTO I thought about where the hell the dog would go when she graduates from puppy status.

I am still debating the GTO with a trailer hitch and a horse trailer, lol.

 

[dpenning]

This is a funny thread. I drive a Silverado atm and I really want to get rid of it and get a GTO or a Genesis Coupe because I am in a sports car mood. As I was looking at the GTO I thought about where the hell the dog would go when she graduates from puppy status.

I am still debating the GTO with a trailer hitch and a horse trailer, lol.

Well apparently there is no need for the trailer, just a back seat!

 

[deltakosmo12]

2007 Jeep Wrangler X, seats fold down or I can put the one in the back with seat up

 

[Moose's keeper]

my "little" guy rides in the back seat of my crew cab Chevy 2500 most of the time. with the seats folded up he has enough room to lay down or stand up with his head out the window. hes getting to the point now that he has to really think about turning around back there. so i just open which ever door he is facing to let him out. he has mastered getting out on his own but getting in the lifted 4x4 proves tuff some times. i usally end up giving him a push. and the slober is everywhere! there are treat chunks on the side of my truck right now!

 

[Cody]

We also have a mustang and if we are just hauling 1 kid and 1 dog it fits us all fine.
We drove from St Louis - Calgary (Canada) roughly 3000+ kms with our 4 year old son and Aurora when she was 8 months with no issues at all.
All the dogs can do 2 door cars with no issue.
It is just when you are trying to fit family, gear and more then one dog into a sports/muscle car that there can be a problem

 

[thomas20]

So I like to see some of the different TB's that are out there to give me ideas..

 

[Kandie]

I dont have a mastiff YET but drive a 08 Pontiac Grand Prix. This should work with a CC. It's roomy enough

 

[Catherine Shaffer]

We have a Suburban and a Toyota Matrix. The Matrix works fine to haul two mastiffs on short trips as long as there are no back seat passengers. We use the Suburban for longer trips. We just took a cross-country trip with our Suburban and an airstream trailer. (Blogged extensively at my website soshiny.net) One dog has no problem jumping up into the back. The other one will put his front paws up, then we help him step on the tailgate and give a big shove. After daily practice for three weeks, he was starting to climb in on his own.

We had one of those tension mounted dog barriers with the sliding bars, but Chewie systematically destroyed it. We had to jerry rig a new barrier out of our Xpen and bungie cords and drug him with benedryl to get home. When a 170 pound dog wants to get through a barrier, not much can stop him. We are looking into car harnesses that we can hook to the cargo rings in the floor.

Catherine