Canine Co-Pilot

Lots of truckers have tiny, yappy, non-manly dogs. (Just don't tell them that or you'll get yer ### kicked!)

 

Not if you gave it a mohawk and grafitti'd the side of it, maybe poke an eye out

 

I know, totally irrational. I was thinking about that after the fact wondering why I thought of that first. I think it's because there was a smashed pumpkin in the middle of my street that week leftover from Halloween, so that's what my mind thought it looked like!

 

Great daneeeee

 

My pit bull loves the truck and going on trips, hops in (well with a bit of help these days, her age is starting to show), sits in the passenger seat looking around at everything, hopes to the bunk, naps, taps on the door glass if she needs to get out and do her thing.

My coonhound now, when he follows me out to the yard if I go straight to the truck and open the door he looks at me, turns and heads for the other side of the pasture fence, if I do get him in the truck he curls up on the bunk and whines and shakes. He just hates it.

Just depends on the personality of the dog. Between the two the coonhound is the one to watch out for if someone were to break in, not that the pit bull would be a cake walk either lol

 

Get one that doesn't shed hair too much.
West Highland White Terrier
Bichon Feise
Maltese
Havanese
Miniature Schnauzer
Shih Tzu
Poodle
Boston Terrier
Dachsund
Yorkshire Terrier
Chinese Crested Hairless
Chinese Crested Powderpuff

 

My parents years ago had a West Highland White Terrier. They're called Westies and they are very smart. But it's up to you and good to see some planning for the future.

 

That could ve been the dog s owner leaving that pile.

 

I have a car so I can't speak from personal experience but I have seen drivers with huskies out here. As has been said, it depends on the dog and their personality. Ideally you'd want one that's lazy and not destructive. I'd like to get a Newfoundland because while they get big they're usually extremely lazy. In the long run cats are easier since you don't have to stop to let them do your business but I've known of people who train small dogs to use the litter box so that's a thought.

 

Best dog I ever had in the truck (and best one I ever knew) was a mutt named Luke. He was mostly Labrador with some Chow but his hair was short like a Lab. Got him at 6 months old and started getting him used to moving vehicles early (car rides). When we saw he liked it I would put him in the truck for short errands (bobtail to the store) when I was home--we made sure he was Potty trained first. I'd hang out with him in the sleeper some also, and it took no time to get him associating the truck with good times. We rode together for five years. He even came along when The Hot Chick was with me. He was 47 pounds but knew his way around the truck and was not in the way. He kept me in shape (TIME TO GET UP AND PLAY FRISBEE DADDY!!) and on one occasion saved my truck when I forgot to lock the door and he ran a would be thief out of it and chased him across the parking lot. I lost him about a year ago and not a day goes by that I don't remember him.

Almost everything that has been said here so far is valid, especially the comments about breeds that don't shed (Luke's fur bunnies were epic in their size and numbers). Also remember you will need somewhere to store the dog food and a consistent place to put the toys, blankets, and food/water bowls (not a good idea to leave those out when moving). Remember some facilities do not welcome pets so be prepared to plan Potty breaks accordingly. And even though the AKC places the pit bull Terrier near the bottom of the list when it comes to likelihood of biting a human, they are so freakishly strong that on those rare occasions when they do attack it tends to be quite spectacular/disastrous. Because of this, even though they are ideally suited for being truck dogs, there are many people who succumb to the mass hysteria formented by the media and are quite prejudiced against them. Be aware of any policies banning them or other breeds your company might have. Some facilities don't allow them on their property.

That aside, good luck in your search. My Little Buddy made this bearable during a dark time in my career.

(Also remember to invest in a good Pooper Scooper appropriate to whatever size dog you end up with, and to have a place to store it away from your other things. And that investing in a quality dog food like Iams or Nutro Select will SIGNIFICANTLY cut down on the size and runniness of said poop, making your job much easier. Happy trails!)