Have you ever felt the stress of traveling with a dog who hates car rides? The barking, whining, and restless pacing can turn a simple trip into a nerve-wracking experience. But some dogs are naturally easygoing travelers, making every journey smooth and enjoyable.
Imagine a long drive with your furry friend peacefully curled up, snoozing beside you. No mess, no anxiety—just quiet companionship. For dog lovers, this is a dream come true, especially for road trips or vet visits.
Certain breeds seem to have a natural talent for relaxing in moving cars. Their calm demeanor isn’t just convenient—it’s a reflection of their loving and trusting nature. Knowing which dogs handle car rides well can save you stress and make every adventure more memorable.
In this article, we’ll explore 9 dog breeds that sleep calmly in moving cars, helping you find the perfect travel companion.
Dog Breeds That Sleep Calmly in Moving Cars
1. Labrador Retriever
The sweet-faced, lovable Labrador Retriever isn’t just one of America’s most popular breeds—they’re also surprisingly calm travelers. Despite their high energy and playful personalities, Labs have a trusting and adaptable nature that often helps them relax in moving cars, as per the AKC.
With proper early socialization and training, a Lab can learn to associate car rides with positive experiences, making long drives more peaceful.
Labs thrive on exercise, whether it’s swimming, fetch, or agility games, which helps them expend excess energy before a journey. A well-exercised Lab is more likely to settle down, curl up, and snooze while traveling, rather than pacing or whining.
Their friendly, companionable demeanor also makes them excellent travel partners, as they bond with family members and enjoy new experiences together.
For road trips or vet visits, the Labrador Retriever proves to be a loving, easygoing, and reliable co-pilot.
2. Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever isn’t just one of America’s most beloved breeds—they are also one of the dog breeds that sleep calmly in moving cars. Friendly, intelligent, and naturally adaptable, Goldens often view car rides as another opportunity to spend time with their favorite humans.
Their people-pleasing and loyal nature means they behave well during travel, turning even long drives into enjoyable experiences for the whole family.
While their energetic and playful personality shines during outdoor activities, Golden Retrievers have a natural confidence that helps them adjust to the sensory experience of a moving vehicle.
They may show excitement at the start of a journey, but their moderate energy level allows them to settle down quickly, often curling up and napping peacefully.
Early socialization, obedience training, and positive associations with trips to beaches, hiking trails, or adventure spots further reinforce their calm demeanor.
Whether it’s a short ride to the vet or a long road trip, the Golden Retriever’s trusting, friendly, and eager-to-please personality makes them a loving and reliable travel companion.
3. Cavalier King Charles
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the dog breeds that sleep calmly in moving cars, thanks to its affectionate and trusting nature. Originally bred to enjoy carriage rides and warm laps, Cavaliers adapt easily to travel and often settle peacefully during journeys.
Their friendly temperament makes them excellent companions for families, strangers, and new environments alike, as per PetMD.
These dogs thrive on human interaction and companionship, so having family nearby during car rides helps them feel secure and relaxed.
Although they enjoy moderate exercise and outdoor play, once their energy is spent, Cavaliers are content to curl up and nap. This combination of social bonding, gentle temperament, and adaptable personality makes them ideal travel partners.
Whether on short errands or long road trips, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel ensures a serene, stress-free, and enjoyable journey for everyone.
4. Shih Tzu
Small in size but big in heart, Shih Tzus are perfect companions for road trips, often snoozing calmly while traveling with their humans. This affectionate breed, originally bred in Tibet as royal companions, has a gentle and friendly temperament that helps them settle easily during car rides.
Shih Tzus thrive on human interaction and are happiest when close to their families, which makes travel less stressful and more enjoyable. Although playful and lively, they adapt well to short and long trips when introduced to car travel gradually.
Early socialization and positive experiences in the car help prevent anxiety and restlessness, ensuring they remain relaxed throughout the journey.
Whether enjoying a leisurely drive or heading to the park, Shih Tzus balance energy with calmness.
Their loyalty, adaptability, and love for companionship make them one of the breeds that reliably curl up and sleep peacefully in moving vehicles, turning every trip into a stress-free adventure.
5. Yorkshire Terrier
Small in size but full of charm, Yorkshire Terriers often rest peacefully during car rides, making them ideal travel companions. Despite their spirited personality, Yorkies have a loyal and protective nature that helps them remain composed and relaxed while on the road, as per Purina.
Intelligent and motivated to please, they respond well to early socialization and gentle training, learning to associate car trips with enjoyable experiences. Daily walks and play sessions help expend energy, allowing them to stay tranquil and content in the vehicle.
Their flexible, loving, and people-oriented nature encourages them to snuggle close to their owners, making Yorkshire Terriers serene and easygoing companions for both short errands and longer road trips.
Despite their lively and spirited character, Maltese dogs remain composed and content during car rides, making them excellent travel companions for families. Their small size and long, silky coat make long hours in the car more comfortable, while their affectionate and trusting nature helps them settle easily.
6. Maltese
Maltese dogs thrive on human interaction and feel happiest when included in daily activities, which makes car journeys enjoyable rather than stressful.
Their small size and long, silky coat make long hours in the car more comfortable, while their affectionate and trusting nature helps them settle easily.
As per WebMD, although they can be a bit stubborn at times, early socialization and positive travel experiences help them associate the car with comfort and security. Providing familiar toys, a favorite blanket, or a cozy spot encourages them to relax and enjoy the ride.
With their gentle, loyal, and adaptable personalities, Maltese dogs often curl up peacefully beside their humans, remaining tranquil and relaxed throughout the journey.
Whether it’s a short drive to the park or a long family road trip, Maltese companions ensure peaceful and stress-free travel.
7. Papillon
With its signature butterfly-like ears and sparkling personality, the Papillon is a tiny bundle of energy that surprisingly relaxes well during car rides. This intelligent and curious breed enjoys being part of family adventures, making it an excellent travel companion for both short errands and longer road trips.
Despite their spirited nature, Papillons can quickly learn to associate car travel with comfort and positive experiences. Introducing short rides early on, along with favorite items, helps them feel secure and confident on the road.
Their keen awareness and affectionate personality mean they often snuggle close to their owners, observing the journey before drifting off into a peaceful nap.
With preparation and attention, Papillons transform even busy trips into calm, enjoyable experiences, proving that small dogs can make surprisingly serene travel companions.
8. Affenpinscher
The Affenpinscher, often called the “monkey dog” for its expressive face, is a compact and sturdy breed that surprisingly adapts well to car travel. Even with their spirited and sometimes feisty nature, Affenpinschers can remain composed during rides, making them ideal companions for road trips.
Their small size and wiry coat make them easy to transport, and their inquisitive yet loving temperament allows them to settle comfortably in the car. Gradual exposure and positive reinforcement help them associate travel with enjoyable experiences, reducing any initial anxiety.
While generally healthy and adaptable, Affenpinschers can be sensitive to motion sickness. Ensuring they are well-rested and offering familiar items like a favorite toy can help them feel secure during the journey.
With their resilient and devoted nature, Affenpinschers often curl up and rest peacefully, proving they can be surprisingly serene travel companions, even on longer car trips.
9. Newfoundland
Newfoundlands, often called “nanny dogs,” are renowned for their patient and protective nature, making them naturally tranquil and composed travelers. These affectionate giants often settle comfortably during car rides, enjoying peaceful naps while remaining attentive to their family.
Providing a spacious area in the vehicle allows these large-sized dogs to stretch out comfortably, giving them room to stay serene and relaxed throughout the journey.
Their nurturing personality ensures they remain composed, often keeping a watchful eye over children or other pets on board.
With consistent, positive travel experiences, Newfoundlands transform road trips into stress-free and soothing adventures. Their size may be imposing, but their gentle, devoted, and protective demeanor makes them ideal companions for families on the move.
Conclusion
Traveling with dogs can be a joyful experience, especially when you have breeds that naturally adapt to the motion and environment of a car. From the affectionate Maltese to the protective Newfoundland, each breed brings its own unique blend of tranquility, loyalty, and companionship, ensuring road trips remain relaxing for both pets and owners.
Not all dogs love car rides. These breeds demonstrate that size, energy level, or spirited personalities don’t have to interfere with calm travel. With gentle socialization, gradual exposure to car rides, and attentive care, dogs can learn to associate journeys with comfort, safety, and even excitement.
Whether it’s a quick drive to the park or a long family adventure, choosing a breed that settles peacefully in moving vehicles allows everyone to enjoy the ride. Ultimately, these nine breeds prove that travel can be stress-free, enjoyable, and filled with loving companionship, making memories that last a lifetime.
