Best Dogs for Car Rides: Breeds, Training Tips & Road-Trip Safety

Discover the best dogs for car rides, which breeds tend to travel well, how to train your dog for the car, and practical tips for safer, more comfortable road trips.

Some dogs only need to hear the car keys before they are waiting at the door. Others start drooling, whining or backing away as soon as they realize a drive is coming.

So, what are the best dogs for car rides?

Certain breeds tend to have characteristics that make travelling easier, such as adaptability, trainability and an ability to settle. But breed is only part of the equation. A dog's individual temperament, training, age, previous experiences and tendency toward motion sickness can matter just as much.

The good news is that many dogs can learn to become excellent passengers. Whether you're driving across town or packing up for a weekend road trip, gradual training and the right vehicle setup can make travelling more comfortable for everyone.

Key Takeaways

• Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Standard Poodles, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Whippets are among the breeds that can make adaptable travelling companions.

• Temperament and training matter more than breed alone.

• Introduce dogs to the vehicle gradually instead of starting with a long drive.

• Use positive reinforcement to create good associations with the car.

• Dogs should travel properly secured rather than roaming freely inside the vehicle.

• Motion sickness and car anxiety can look similar but may require different solutions.

• For dog-owning families, usable cargo space, rear-seat room, climate control and easy entry can make road trips considerably easier.

What Makes a Dog Good at Car Rides?

A good travelling dog usually has a few characteristics that make life on the road easier.

Dogs that can relax after an exciting activity are often easier passengers than dogs that remain highly stimulated for long periods. Confidence around new noises, people and environments can also help.

Trainability matters too.

A dog that understands cues such as wait, load up, settle and out can be much easier to manage around vehicles, parking lots and roadside stops.

But there is no breed that automatically comes with perfect car manners.

A relaxed adult mixed-breed dog with plenty of positive travelling experience may be a better road-trip companion than a puppy from a breed known for being calm.

Physical comfort is another consideration. A large dog needs enough space to sit, lie down and travel securely. Smaller dogs still need an appropriately sized carrier or restraint rather than being allowed to wander around the cabin.

7 of the Best Dogs for Car Rides

These breeds can have characteristics that suit frequent travelling, but every dog is an individual. Consider the dog's personality, energy level and training history in addition to breed.

1. Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers are popular family dogs partly because they tend to be social, trainable and enthusiastic about joining family activities.

A well-trained Lab can be a great match for a household that regularly heads to parks, trails, cottages or other outdoor destinations.

Their adult size does need to be considered. Make sure your vehicle has a suitable area for the dog's restraint or crate without requiring the dog to compete with luggage for space.

2. Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers share many qualities that can make travelling easier. They tend to enjoy being involved in family activities and generally respond well to training.

When car travel is introduced positively from an early age, a Golden may quickly learn that getting into the vehicle predicts something enjoyable.

As with Labradors, plan your vehicle space around the size of the adult dog rather than the puppy you initially bring home.

3. Standard Poodle

Standard Poodles can make excellent companions for active households.

They are intelligent and highly trainable, which can be useful when teaching a consistent vehicle routine.

Commands such as load up, wait, settle and out can help make everything from leaving the driveway to stopping at a busy trailhead more controlled.

Their athleticism also suits families whose road trips frequently involve walking, hiking and outdoor adventures.

4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

For people who prefer a smaller travelling companion, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can be a convenient size for vehicle travel.

A smaller dog can often be accommodated comfortably in an appropriately sized secured carrier without taking up the cargo space required by a large breed.

However, small dogs still need to be properly secured. Being small does not make travelling loose inside a moving vehicle safe.

5. Whippet

Whippets are incredibly fast when they want to run, but many are equally enthusiastic about relaxing once the activity is over.

That ability to switch between exercise and downtime can be valuable during longer drives.

A properly exercised and car-trained Whippet may be quite content to settle in its designated travel space until the next stop.

6. Bernese Mountain Dog

A calm, well-socialized Bernese Mountain Dog can make a pleasant family road-trip companion.

The major consideration is space.

These dogs are large, so cargo dimensions, opening width and load height become particularly important.

If you're choosing a vehicle for a large dog, don't rely only on the manufacturer's overall cargo-volume number. Measure your dog's actual crate or restraint setup and make sure it fits through the opening as well as inside the vehicle.

7. Adult Mixed-Breed Dogs With Known Temperaments

One of the most overlooked answers to the question "What dogs are best for car rides?" is simply a dog that has already shown it travels well.

With an adult dog, you may have more information about its established personality and behaviour than you would with a young puppy.

A calm, adaptable mixed-breed dog with positive previous experiences in vehicles can make an outstanding road-trip companion.

How to Train a Dog for Car Rides

Even the most easygoing dog isn't born understanding what a car is.

From the dog's perspective, a vehicle is a strange environment filled with unfamiliar smells, vibrations, movements and sounds.

The goal of car training for dogs is to introduce those sensations gradually while creating positive associations.

The American Kennel Club's guidance on preventing car anxiety and motion sickness recommends gradually getting dogs comfortable with the vehicle and associating car trips with enjoyable experiences.

Step 1: Start Outside the Parked Car

Don't begin by driving anywhere.

Allow your dog to approach the parked vehicle at a comfortable pace. Reward calm investigation with praise or a favourite treat.

If the dog is nervous even being near the vehicle, begin farther away.

Over several short sessions, gradually work closer.

The objective isn't simply getting the dog physically inside the car. You want the dog to feel comfortable being there.

Step 2: Introduce the Harness, Carrier or Crate

Don't introduce unfamiliar restraint equipment immediately before a three-hour road trip.

Let your dog become comfortable with its travel equipment beforehand.

Allow the dog to investigate it and reward calm interaction.

The Center for Pet Safety's guide to selecting and introducing a travel harness stresses the importance of acclimating pets to safety equipment rather than expecting them to accept it immediately.

Practise at home before transferring the routine to the vehicle.

Step 3: Sit in the Car Without Going Anywhere

Once your dog willingly enters the vehicle, spend a few minutes together inside the parked car.

Don't start the engine yet.

Offer praise, practise a settle cue or give the dog something positive to focus on.

Then get out.

A few successful five-minute sessions are much better than one stressful half-hour session.

Step 4: Start the Engine

Once your dog is comfortable sitting inside the parked vehicle, start the engine without moving.

Your dog now has to become accustomed to vibrations, fans, engine noise, warning chimes and other new sensations.

Keep the first sessions short.

When your dog can remain relaxed with the engine running, you can progress to movement.

Step 5: Take a Very Short Drive

The first car-training trip doesn't need to have a destination.

Drive around the block and return home.

If your dog remains relaxed, gradually increase the duration during future sessions.

The Ontario SPCA's advice for creating a positive car-travel experience similarly recommends practising in the driveway and taking short trips to destinations the animal enjoys.

Step 6: Go Somewhere Fun

Consider where your dog's car trips normally end.

If every drive leads to the veterinarian, groomer or another place your dog finds stressful, the dog may learn that getting into the car predicts an unpleasant experience.

Mix in enjoyable destinations.

Try a short drive to:

• a favourite park;

• a walking trail;

• a friend's house;

• a dog-friendly outdoor area; or

• another place your dog enjoys.

Eventually, the vehicle itself can become associated with adventure rather than uncertainty.

Step 7: Teach Your Dog to Wait Before Getting Out

Car training isn't finished when you arrive.

An excited dog that bolts from an open door or hatch can end up in a parking lot or roadway within seconds.

Teach your dog to remain inside until you have attached the leash and given a release cue.

The AKC's dog car-safety training guide recommends specifically practising calm entry and exit behaviour.

A simple wait command can become one of the most useful parts of your dog's travel routine.

What If Your Dog Gets Carsick?

Some dogs aren't afraid of the car — they genuinely feel sick when it moves.

Signs can include:

• excessive drooling;

• repeated lip licking;

• whining;

• restlessness;

• lethargy;

• nausea; and

• vomiting.

Motion sickness can also contribute to anxiety. If a puppy repeatedly feels nauseated during car rides, the puppy may eventually learn to associate the vehicle itself with feeling ill.

The American Kennel Club's overview of carsickness in dogs explains several signs of motion sickness and approaches to gradually conditioning dogs to car travel.

Keep training trips short and increase their duration gradually.

If your dog regularly becomes sick, speak with your veterinarian. Persistent motion sickness or severe travel anxiety is worth addressing professionally rather than simply hoping the dog will eventually get used to it.

How to Keep Dogs Safe During Car Rides

A dog can have perfect car manners and still need to be properly secured.

According to the Ontario SPCA's pet travel safety recommendations, dogs travelling in a vehicle should be confined to the back seat using an appropriate carrier or animal seatbelt system.

Choose equipment that suits your dog's size and follow the manufacturer's installation instructions carefully.

The Center for Pet Safety also cautions consumers to look closely at product claims. A manufacturer stating that a product has been "crash tested" does not necessarily mean that it successfully passed independent crash testing.

Other important habits include:

• keeping your dog away from the driver's area;

• attaching the leash before opening the vehicle door;

• preventing your dog from sticking its head out the window;

• scheduling regular water, bathroom and exercise breaks; and

• carrying identification and basic pet supplies on longer trips.

And never leave a dog unattended inside a parked vehicle during warm weather.

The Ontario SPCA's hot-weather pet safety guidance warns that even a short period inside a hot vehicle can be life-threatening.

Choosing a Car When You Regularly Travel With a Dog

If your dog regularly rides with you, the number of passenger seats shouldn't be the only factor you consider when choosing your next vehicle.

Think about the vehicle from the dog's perspective too.

For Burlington families packing children, a dog and weekend gear into the same vehicle, useful features can include:

• a wide rear opening;

• comfortable rear-seat space;

• manageable cargo load height;

• room for an appropriately sized crate or restraint;

• rear climate-control vents;

• flexible or folding seating;

• easy-clean cargo surfaces; and

• practical storage for water, leads, towels and other pet supplies.

For larger dogs, physically measure the crate or travel equipment before shopping for a vehicle.

Cargo capacity numbers don't tell the whole story. A vehicle can have plenty of total cargo volume but still have a rear opening that is too narrow or a roofline that is too low for your particular setup.

Families should also consider what happens when the vehicle is fully packed.

Your dog's safe travel area shouldn't disappear because you've added suitcases, hockey bags, camping equipment or groceries.

The Best Road-Trip Dog Is a Well-Trained Dog

Breed can provide clues about a dog's likely size, energy level and temperament, but it can't guarantee whether an individual dog will enjoy travelling.

Ultimately, the best dogs for car rides are dogs that have learned that the vehicle is a safe, comfortable and predictable place.

Start slowly.

Create positive associations.

Use an appropriate restraint.

Practise short drives before taking long ones.

And pay attention to your dog's behaviour instead of forcing the dog through obvious fear or discomfort.

If you're also looking for a vehicle with enough room for your family, luggage and a properly secured dog, practical testing can tell you more than specifications alone.

At Unique Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM in Burlington, you can compare passenger space, cargo access and family-friendly features in person and take a test drive before deciding what works for your household.

If you already own a travel crate, bring its measurements with you. Knowing exactly how your dog's setup fits can make choosing a road-trip-friendly vehicle much easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

What dog breed is best for long car rides?

There isn't one universally best breed for long car rides. Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Standard Poodles and other adaptable breeds can make excellent travellers, but an individual dog's temperament, training, physical comfort and experience with vehicles are more important than breed alone.

Can you train a dog that hates car rides?

In many cases, yes. Begin with the dog simply approaching a parked vehicle, then progress to sitting inside, starting the engine and eventually taking very short drives. Use positive reinforcement and progress according to the dog's comfort rather than forcing the process.

How long does it take to train a dog to enjoy the car?

There is no fixed timeline. A mildly uncertain dog may improve after several positive sessions, while a dog with significant fear or a history of motion sickness may need much longer. Gradual progress is more important than speed.

Should a dog ride loose in the cargo area of an SUV?

A loose dog can distract the driver and can be injured during sudden braking or a collision. An appropriately selected and installed carrier, crate or vehicle restraint system is a safer approach.

How often should you stop with a dog on a road trip?

The Ontario SPCA's pet travel guidance recommends planning rest stops approximately every two to four hours for exercise, water and bathroom breaks. Puppies, senior dogs and dogs with individual health needs may need more frequent stops.

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With over four decades in the automotive industry, Dealer Principal Rick Paletta is a trusted name across the Hamilton–Burlington region. Born and raised locally, Rick is respected for his integrity, work ethic, and people-first leadership—and he still loves this business because it’s about helping neighbours, building relationships, and matching people with vehicles they’re excited to drive. His commitment to the community shows up in consistent giving, including long-running support of McMaster Children’s Hospital through Car Nation Cares.