Once I'm solo, want to have a mid-sized dog along. Which breeds are best
for traveling, or does it matter? Plan on starting w/a pup. Thanks!

Be sure to look at non-shedding breeds like Scotties...man it would be hell to live with a shedding dog in a truck.

__________________
Neal


Support the Semper Fi Fund!

Wind it up! Accelerate it!
'nother hundred miles in a dead man's shoes,
Diesel fuel, I smell burnin'
White line fever and the interstate blues.

I agree with the least shedding type of dogs. I would think that cattle dogs, ie. australian shepards, border collies would be the worst because they are the most active, but it seems I see them the most. Also see lots of Boston terriers, chihuahuas, and french bulldogs. Our dog is a boxer, have yet to see another boxer...

I agree with non-shedding as a quality, but also some breeds do get car sick. A small dog has big advantages over a large dog overall, it seems to me.

Good Morning! A few thoughts about your question:

Well, it would be almost next to impossible to train a puppy while in a truck. Puppies are like two-year-olds, you have to look for the signals and race to get the puppy out the door. Not likely to happen while driving a truck. It wouldn't be fair to the dog or you.

Why not adopt an older dog from a shelter? So many older dogs are put down every day just because no one wants them, thousands of them every day, and most are house pets who were either lost or their owner's just couldn't keep them. The best furry pal doesn't always have to the best looking.

Most of those pets will already be spayed or neutered and all you will have to do is bail them out.

Invest in a micro-chip, a well-fit collar and leash, ID tags, and away you go with a best friend.

There are also many very good dog training videos available. I would still keep the dog on a leash unless you were in an enclosed area.

Happy 2008!

SC

Excellent post saphirecat!! great Idea!! I'm partial to Labradors, but they do shed a bit, and man they love to ride!!

IMO the best dog to have in the truck is a lizard in a wire cage :P

Pros:
It wont have accidents in the truck.
You wont find yourself franticaly trying to find a place to pull over before it has an accident.
No water bowl to forget about have have tip over.
No 4wheeling mental midgets to call the local SPCA on you for leaveing it in the truck while your having lunch. NM that the truck was idling /sigh

Cons:
Its really not going to care if someone tries to get into the truck.
They are not very adapt at cuddling.

__________________
Save a target... Shoot a Tweeker
Why is common sense so damned uncommon?

(Spoiler) Swift kills Dumbledore

Try a nice toy or miniature Poodle. They don't shed and they are intelligent and very loving.

Hey Globetrotter, I've actually thought of a boxer, and when I say a puppie
I mean to start riding from a puppy. I'm afraid an older dog or one from a
shelter may have problems, maybe, maybe not- but a young'un who has
limited contact with people, and grows up in the trucking enviroment, the
riding, the noise ect. ect. makes a good watch dog also. When I'm sleepin'
a weapon beside the bed does no good, a pet "hears" things a gun won't,
and any growling or barking is sure to wake me up as well as startle any
one snoopin' around. A weapon would be a second line of defense only. I've also considered a Beagle. Provisions can be made to accommodate pups and such and I don't find it a bother. Not above vacuuming and shampooing. Thanks to all for your feedback!

I personally think that Boxers are the best dog breed ever, but I am very biased. They have the most amazing personalities, but as I said I am biased. I understand what you are saying about having the dog in the truck from puppy stage to ensure that it will like it and such. If you do decide this I would maybe use a small crate on the bottom bunk until they have been fully potty trained and to make sure that they arent going to chew up anything.

But I also understand what SapphireCat is saying about adopting. There are so many dogs in shelters just waiting for a home, it is so sad. I too would have to same fears though that maybe a 4 year old dog you may adopt would already have a fear or hatred of riding in cars, but I think if you explain the situation to the rescue they would def work with you to find the perfect dog. If you are still partial to a boxer or any other particular breed you could check our a Boxer Rescue in your area. You could adopt a younger pup that is already potty trained and have the best of both worlds.