“Should I take my dog on this trip or leave them behind?” It’s a question plenty of dog owners wrestle with, and honestly, it’s rarely an easy call. If you don’t have someone lined up to care for your pup while you’re away, their well-being can weigh heavily on the decision.
The good news is that many dog breeds actually make fantastic travel companions, adapting well to life on the move and making the whole trip that much more enjoyable.
So you’ve booked the tickets and mapped out the itinerary; what’s next as a pet parent? If you’re not new to traveling with a dog, you’ve likely already crate-trained them and double-checked that your airline is on board with your pup’s size.
Whether you travel often for work or just love exploring for fun, picking one of the best dog breeds for air travel or long road trips can make life a whole lot easier. This guide will help you find the ideal travel companion from some of the best breeds out there.
Top Dog Breeds Perfect for Owners Who Love Traveling
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a famously sociable dog that has all the makings of a great companion for frequent travelers. For one thing, this breed tends to be outgoing, so you won’t have to worry about them getting cranky at an unfamiliar place.
For another, they’re eager to please and trainable; with the right methods, crate training them is going to be a satisfying adventure in itself.
Cavs are gorgeous toy dogs known for their aristocratic attitude and friendly temperament that helps them get along with adults, children, as well as other dogs. They are so adaptable, they can be great travel buddies for both active travelers and those who spend their trips cozying up in a hotel room.
This adaptable temperament means they won’t mind spending some time in a dog crate or carrier. However, it’s important not to leave them alone for long if you’re traveling by car and to keep them protected from heat.
Cavs do enjoy some moderate exercise and outdoor activities, as AKC notes, so make sure to give them some playtime a few hours before the flight.
2. French Bulldog
French Bulldogs or “Frenchies” are sweet and people-oriented, small dogs that can make lovely travel dogs with some care and consideration. These pooches have a happy-go-lucky temperament and can be quite amusing companions during any trip.
While your Frenchie will stay happy with you literally anywhere, there are some health factors that you need to consider. Make sure to get them checked by a good vet a few days before the trip so you know they’re fit for travel.
These little dogs are brachycephalic in nature, which means they are prone to breathing issues, especially during hot and humid weather.
While carrying this pooch can be quite convenient, make sure to properly crate train them, and make sure they don’t overheat or dehydrate. Giving them their favorite toy in the crate will keep them happy, as well as making sure there’s proper air ventilation and air conditioning available.
3. Toy Poodle
Toy Poodles are a great option for people who love to travel with their dogs, as they are one of the smartest and most trainable dog breeds. Despite their small size, Toy Poodles are high in spirit and can be very amusing due to their ability to learn tricks and commands.
While their intelligence makes them easy to crate train, Toy Poodles are playful dogs that need some daily walks and mental stimulation. Apart from other preparations, make sure your pooch gets some exercise a few hours before the flight or car ride begins.
These curly-coated little dogs are wonderful furry friends for people with allergies due to their hypoallergenic nature. But it also means you’ll have to take time to groom them even during your trip. You might want to add visiting some professional groomers to your itinerary, or get them a nice trim before the trip.
During the flight or ride, keep track of potty breaks, ideally every 2-3 hours. If you’re traveling by car, like all doggos, your toy Poodle might be prone to car sickness; this is something you need to watch out for.
These pooches are sensitive in nature, and sudden changes, even in the house, can upset their little tummies, as PetMD states. Proper training and a vet visit before the trip can keep this problem away.
4. Dachshund
Dachshund, also called the “Sausage dog” or “Wiener dog,” is a long-bodied hound that’s always ready to chase a scent and loves to stay active. Once you’ve done all the preparations for traveling with your Dachshund, also make sure to get their back checked, as they’re prone to pain in that particular body part.
Dachshunds originated in the 15th century and were a crossbreed (in Germany) between terriers and hounds, as per Orvis. They were originally used to hunt badgers and vermin and still tend to have a heightened prey drive which needs to be managed with early training.
During the flight or ride, their energy level needs to be considered, as well as getting them a comfortable carrier or crate. Their long spines are prone to injury, and it’s important to carry an appropriately sized harness for them, as well as know where to go in case of emergency.
They’re generally friendly dogs who’ll travel well even with children, but they tend to bond with one favorite pet parent, which makes them good companions for solo travelers as well.
This dog’s playfulness and love for the outdoors, as well as ability to live happily in hotel rooms, make it an amazing travel partner. No matter what destinations you’re exploring with these loyal hounds, they’ll stay high-spirited. Though its tendency to bark at small animals and urge to go after scents is something to watch out for.
5. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise can be the ultimate small travel dog breed as these pooches can literally fit into a bag. With proper care, they can be wonderful companions for van life as well as stay happy during plane travel.
No dog sitter? No problem! Your Bichon can fit comfortably in doggo crates and carriers, though make sure to check the policies of your airlines about carrying a dog this small.
Bichon Frise is a happy-go-lucky breed that descended from water spaniels and originated in the Mediterranean region, as Britannica mentions. Nowadays, they’re one of the most loved little pets for both families and solo owners.
These friendly doggos are easy to train; put their favorite toy or treat in the crate to get them accustomed to it. During travel, keep these pooches hydrated and carefully schedule their feeding and potty timings.
Despite being small, these beautiful white dogs won’t mind exploring the outdoors and new places with you. They are quite alert in nature, and despite getting along well with other dogs, they might bark when they’re excited or suspicious of something.
6. Havanese
If your travel goals are all about exploring new places, with a dog that doesn’t freak out around strangers and new situations, Havanese is a great choice for you. They’re one of the most popular tiny, city dogs that can live anywhere as long as they’re being cared for.
Havanese is a breed that originated in Cuba and has gained worldwide popularity due to its comical and cheerful nature, as well as its beautiful, silky, hypoallergenic coat. From cozying up with you in the hotel room to adding beauty to your travel photos, this pooch can make traveling far more satisfying.
These doggos need some regular daily walks to keep off obesity, and you’ll also need to schedule time for their regular coat care, no matter where you are. Other than that, this easy-going pooch can stay happy on the trip and gets along well with kids and other pets.
They are intelligent doggos that won’t drive you crazy when crate training them; positive reinforcement methods are likely to work better. As with any dog, never use punishment when crate training this pooch, as it will associate bad feelings with the crate for them.
7. Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkshire Terriers are loyal and friendly doggos that will keep your heart warm no matter where in the world you are. While their compact size makes them convenient for travel, taking care of them throughout the trip is essential.
From finding a crate or harness that’s just right for these pooches to ensuring they’re not car sick on rides or stressed during flights, being mindful of your pet’s well-being is crucial.
Originally, Yorkies were used by Scottish weavers to hunt rodents, before eventually these pooches became companions of aristocratic ladies in England, as per Purina. They’re a perfect breed for apartment dwellers due to their manageable size, but they can live happily in different settings.
These toy doggos are braver than you’d expect and can adapt well to new environments. Despite being intelligent, they can exhibit a stubborn streak; early socialization training helps them grow to be more well-rounded doggos. When crate training them, use reward-based methods and avoid harsh behavior.
8. Maltese
Maltese is an ancient dog breed with a playful personality and a long, gorgeous single coat that makes them the center of attention anywhere. These low-maintenance pooches make wonderful companions for travelers due to their size and adaptable nature.
If you’re traveling by car, it’s better to use a safety harness, not just a belt, to keep your little doggos safe. Having a bag to carry them is also a great idea, as these tiny dogs might get exhausted on long walks. If you want to carry your Maltese around in a bag, make sure to find a nice, soft one to keep it comfortable.
Maltese might not be the best doggo for hiking, but they do enjoy walks outdoors and other activities with their pet parents.
To make coat care more manageable during the trip, you can tie their silky hair in a topknot or trim the coat. The lack of an undercoat means there will be less shedding, but you’ll still need to give them some brushing sessions weekly.
9. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzu is a centuries-old breed that has lived with Buddhist monks as well as Chinese Imperial rulers as their prized but alert little pets. They’re quite active and sociable and make wonderful travel buddies for solo travelers as well as families.
Shih Tzus are bound to catch the eyes of people anywhere you take them, with their expressive, adorable faces and their long, lush coats. These pooches love staying close to their favorite person and also don’t mind the company of other dogs.
Being alone isn’t something they appreciate, so you’ll have to train them for some alone time if you want them to stay comfortable in the carrier; giving them their favorite toy might help.
Shih Tzus can live well in small spaces, but they’re brachycephalic dogs and need a proper checkup before the day of the flight or car trip to make sure they’re in optimal health.
Luckily, most airlines have proper air conditioning in their cargo holds, and your pup won’t overheat while in there. Despite being wonderful pets, they can stay happy and feisty outdoors as well, especially if they’ve been given socialization training.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to adopt your fun-loving, travel-friendly little dog, make sure to get in touch with reputable breeders who ensure ethical practices, or your local rescue center. All doggos need some care during travel, from hydration to ensuring they’re comfortable in their carriers. If you have any doubts or confusion, talk to your local vet before adopting your next pet.
