Who says traveling and pet ownership need to be mutually exclusive? Certainly not us! While you’ll need to take extra precautions to ensure a smooth experience, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy traveling with the right furry companion.
However, some dogs are simply better suited to the traveling lifestyle than others, and we’ll discuss 10 remarkable breeds to help you pick your next travel companion!
The 10 Best Dog Breeds for Travel
1. Labrador Retrievers
| Origin: | Newfoundland, United Kingdom |
| Lifespan: | 10–12 years |
| Height: | 22–24 inches |
Labrador Retrievers are too big if you plan on flying all over the country or the world. But if you plan on traveling by car you won’t find a more accommodating breed.
They do great with strangers and other dogs you’ll meet along the way, and they don’t mind spending some time in the car looking out the window as you drive around. They’re incredibly loving and sweet and do great with change, making them ideal travel companions.
2. Bichon Frise
| Origin: | France |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Height: | 9.5–11.5 inches |
The small, hypoallergenic Bichon Frise checks several boxes for frequent travelers. They’re small enough to fly in the cabin of airlines, and they do great on longer car rides.
Another perk of their small size is that they’re comfortable in smaller hotel rooms, so you don’t need to take them out all the time while you’re away. They also don’t shed much, which has numerous advantages, including a car that isn’t full of dog hair after a long drive!
3. Chihuahua
| Origin: | Mexico or China |
| Lifespan: | 12–20 years |
| Height: | 5–8 inches |
Speaking of small dogs, few get smaller than the Chihuahua. Although they’re not always the best choice for first-time dog owners and can be a bit yappy in hotels, proper training and socialization can curb quite a few of those tendencies.
They bond very strongly with their owner, and they’ll even curl up in your lap during longer car rides. Their small size is their number one perk for traveling, but there’s plenty to love about these small dogs once you get to know them.
4. Miniature Poodle
| Origin: | Germany, France |
| Lifespan: | 13–15 years |
| Height: | Under 15 inches |
Their intelligence, small size, and hypoallergenic nature are all great features the Miniature Poodle provides for frequent travelers. They generally get along great with everyone, but keep in mind that you’ll need a small Miniature Poodle if you want them to fly with you in the cabin.
They’re great companions for flights, car rides, and play sessions at home, and their exposure to novel environments and unfamiliar humans can keep them mentally stimulated and interested!
5. Golden Retrievers
| Origin: | United Kingdom |
| Lifespan: | 10–12 years |
| Height: | 20–24 inches |
If you want a larger dog but still want to travel, a Golden Retriever might be just what you’re looking for. They’re much larger dogs, which is far from ideal for air travel, but they usually don’t mind curling up in a back seat for longer car rides.
They get along with strangers and other dogs, helping ensure you won’t have any problems during your travels.
6. Yorkshire Terrier
| Origin: | Great Britain |
| Lifespan: | 13–16 years |
| Height: | 7–8 inches |
There’s no doubt about it: when you’re looking for travel-friendly breeds, their size plays a huge role. The Yorkshire Terrier is another smaller dog that’s easier to travel with. They can fly in the cabin if you’re flying, and they’re great companions in the car, too.
They’re great around other people, but remember, they can be more vocal than other breeds. Proper socialization can help, but the barking can land you in trouble at hotels.
7. Maltese
| Origin: | Italy |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Height: | 7–9 inches |
Maltese dogs might be the perfect travel companions. They’re tiny pups, so they can go with you just about wherever, and all they want to do is curl up in your lap as much as possible.
They’re not always the best with other dogs or children, but as long as you socialize them early on, they should be fine while you’re traveling. They’re also not quite as vocal as many other dogs, which can come in handy while you’re in a hotel or on a plane!
8. Corgi
| Origin: | Wales |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Height: | 10–12 inches |
The real selling point for a Corgi for traveling is their size. They’re small enough to travel on a plane, but their personalities can get them into trouble. They’re vocal dogs, and they take a while to warm up to strangers.
Proper socialization goes a long way, but they’re still herding dogs at their core. They have a higher energy level than most small pups, which isn’t always easy to deal with while you’re traveling.
9. Australian Terrier
| Origin: | Great Britain, Australia |
| Lifespan: | 12–15 years |
| Height: | 10–11 inches |
The Australian Terrier is a great travel companion for most dog owners. They’re small enough that they’re generally easy to fly with, and they don’t take up much space in your car. They’re not always the best with other dogs, but they usually get along with every human they meet.
Another perk is that they’re not always the most vocal pups, and they don’t usually have the highest energy levels, which come in handy while you’re traveling!
10. French Bulldog
| Origin: | Great Britain, France |
| Lifespan: | 10–12 years |
| Height: | 11–13 inches |
The French Bulldog offers quite a few positive characteristics for you while traveling. For starters, they’re small but also tend to get along great with everyone they meet. Whether a small child or another pup, a well-socialized French Bulldog will become fast friends with them.
Moreover, they have much lower energy levels, so you don’t need to worry about them bolting out of the car, which is a significant perk on your active travel days. Finally, they tend to be quieter, so they’re usually not the dog that’s getting you into trouble at a hotel or in other cramped living arrangements.
Conclusion
Remember that although these dogs are easier to travel with, they still require thorough training and socialization. Traveling exposes your dog to new people, scents, and environments, and without proper training, some dogs can become frightened in unfamiliar settings.
However, the dogs we discussed aren’t difficult to train, and they are happy to follow you around on your adventures.
- Related read: Traveling to Hawaii With a Dog
Featured Image Credit: Eudyptula, Shutterstock
The 10 Best Dog Breeds for Travel
