The best dog breeds for travelling: how to choose

Welcome dog-loving travellers! As you may know, bringing your dog with you to see the world and explore makes travelling a lot more fun and helps build memories and bonds like nothing else.

But we know it can get a bit stressful as well, and the type of dog you have makes a big difference. Pint-sized pups may be easy to travel with but then struggle with any outdoor activities you have planned.

Then again, high-energy breeds may take on hikes and beach days with an athlete's enthusiasm, but find settling in a car or plane impossible.

Good dog breeds for travelling tend to have the right size and temperament, but factors like anxiety and personality play a big role. Plus, certain dogs prefer different types of travel.

Here, we list how to choose the best dog breed for travelling by air, car or motorhome, and discuss some of the legal and health concerns you should consider before jetting off with your favourite travel buddy.

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What makes a dog breed a good travel companion? (key traits & considerations)

Generally, when answering "what is the best breed of dog for travel", the key things to look for are:

• Compact size, especially if you're travelling by plane.

• Calm, friendly temperament, especially when travelling with other people.

• Good health. For example, BOAS breeds will struggle to travel by air, and those with joint issues may struggle with long trips.

• Low-shedding or hypoallergenic coats if cleanliness is an issue.

• Manageable energy levels.

• Size and weight suitable for the travel type (for example, larger dogs may not be able to travel in a small car space).

• Sociability.

• Trainability.

But there are nuances here: every dog is different, and you'll need to factor in things like age, breed, health and temperament.

Best dog breeds for air travel (in-cabin & cargo considerations)

Air travel is stressful for dogs, but airlines have made good improvements to make things easier for pets. The best dog breeds for plane travel tend to be small and patient.

A key thing to keep in mind is that airlines have weight limits for dogs. Each provider has different limits, but it's usually around 8kg (17.6lbs).

Guide and support dogs have different rules, and it's worth checking with the airline about this.

Chihuahua

Size: 1.5kg-3kg

Chihuahuas are very portable and usually allowed in-cabin, and they adapt well to being carried around. You may want to train yours to stop barking if they're prone to it. But otherwise, Chihuahuas will snuggle up and enjoy the ride without much issue.

Maltese

Size: 3kg-4kg

Maltese suit air travel due to their small size and relatively chilled temperament. As a low-energy breed, they shouldn't get too overly excited or stressed, and they're a low-shedding dog which keeps things nice and clean.

Pomeranian

Size: 2.1kg-3.3kg

Pomeranians have that perfect mix of low energy, small size and attitude that makes them ideal members of the cabin crew. They're suited to a carrier, and even if they're not 100% happy with what's happening, their sweet, patient temperament helps them adapt to it. They're also intelligent and trainable, meaning you can train them to adapt to carrier travel if there are struggles.

Toy Poodle

Size: 3kg-5kg

Toy Poodles are excellent travel companions due to their intelligence and temperament. They adapt quickly to multiple environments, and their small size lets them sit comfortably in carriers or on seats.

Yorkshire Terrier

Size: 3.2kg-3.5kg

Yorkies have a small size and an adaptable, affectionate nature. This makes them well-suited to plane travel. They're sociable too, but you may need to check if yours has vocalisation issues; planes do expect dogs to be reasonably quiet.

Brachycephalic breeds and air travel risks

Brachycephalic breeds - or flat-nosed dogs - face risks during air travel. Some airlines don't allow them on board, and it's essential you take the right precautions if you're travelling with yours.

These breeds struggle with breathing, and in the stressful environment of an air cabin flight, they face risks like:

• Acute stress

• Overheating

• Oxygen deprivation

• Severe breathing difficulties

Airlines will typically allow them in the cabin, but most will prevent them from travelling in the hold due to breathing and heat problems. Others will only limit travel during hot weather.

It's essential you have a pre-flight check-up with your vet if you're travelling with a brachycephalic breed. Examples include:

• Boston Terriers

• Boxers

• Brussels Griffon

• Bulldogs

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

• Chow Chows

• Dogue De Bordeaux

• French Bulldogs

• Lhasa Apso

• Pugs

• Pekingese

• Shih Tzu

When travelling with one of these, follow veterinary advice beforehand, and make sure they're well-hydrated and cool. You may need to choose a dedicated pet travel service.

Best dog breeds for RV travel (vans & road trip travel)

These breeds tend to suit long stretches of time in a vehicle, and have a patient temperament:

• Beagle - friendly and adaptable with a love of exploration.

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – affectionate lap dog that travels well.

• Golden Retriever – gentle and good-natured, ideal for families.

• Jack Russell Terrier - compact with an adventurous spirit.

• Labrador Retriever – laid-back, obedient, and loves an adventure.

• Miniature Pinscher - small, energetic and well-tempered.

• Miniature Schnauzer – clever, loyal, and doesn’t shed much.

• Poodle mixes ( Labradoodle, Goldendoodle, etc.) - intelligent, adaptable and hungry for exploration.

Best dog breeds for active & outdoor travel (hiking, camping, adventure)

Our guide on the best dogs for hiking has more depth. But the dogs we picked for outdoor trails and walks are:

• Australian Shepherd

• Bernese Mountain Dog

• Border Collie

• Golden Retriever

• Jack Russell Terrier

• Labrador Retriever

• Pembroke Welsh Corgi

• Siberian Husky

• Vizsla

Need inspiration? Find our favourite dog-friendly hikes in the UK.

Best all-around dog breeds for all travel styles

• Border Terrier - hardy and cheerful, thrives on variety.

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - gentle, adaptable and sociable.

• Dachshund – small but bold, with a curious nature.

• Havanese – friendly, adaptable, and suitcase-sized.

Breeds to consider with caution (or avoid) for travel

Generally, we'd recommend avoiding brachycephalic breeds for air travel. You should practice caution with high-energy dogs, who sometimes struggle with sitting still for a long time.

Breeds that have these qualities typically aren't suited to travel:

• Health vulnerabilities exacerbated by travel.

• High anxiety.

• Strong energy.

But every dog is different, and as intelligent animals, they can adapt to most things with positive reinforcement training. We wouldn't recommend doing things that cause your dog anxiety or stress, though.

How to choose the best travel dog for YOU: tailoring your decision

There's no one-size-fits-all approach to this. It all depends on your lifestyle, travel habits and what you want out of your furry family member.

We recommend doing your research, taking a birds-eye-view approach and conversing with breeders and your vet for tailored, specific advice.

Some helpful questions to ask yourself include:

• Can I manage this breed's needs, like exercise and grooming?

• Does this breed fit other parts of my lifestyle?

• How long are my trips?

• What's my budget for pet travel?

• What type of travel do I do most often?

Essential pre-travel preparations for your dog

Some top-level tips include:

• Bring familiar items: bed, food, water, toys, and medication

• Consider specialised gear (car seat, dog bed, portable water bowls).

• Get travel insurance.

• Get your dog checked by the vet before long trips.

• Keep your dog calm with routine and comfort breaks.

• Prepare emergency plans.

• Prioritise crate and carrier training beforehand.

• Refresh behavioural training, leash training and recall.

• Use ID tags and make sure your dog is microchipped.

Need more details? Our guide on travelling with a pet has you covered.

How dog insurance helps

Sometimes, pet insurance doesn't just offer cover from home; it can offer cover abroad too, and protects your pup after they've travelled on the road or high in the skies.

At ManyPets, you can get dedicated pet travel cover with no turbulence. 90 days of worldwide insurance, pet accommodation coverage and up to £20k vet fee limit with our Complete Care dog insurance plan. Woof.

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Dedicated pet travel cover with no turbulence. 90 days of worldwide insurance, pet accommodation coverage and up to £20k vet fee limit with our Complete Care plan.

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