[Craig-SM]

We will be soon adopting a large dog. I’m currently driving a 3 series saloon that I’m in no rush to change. Anyone else in the same position with a working solution that protects both dog and car interior, I’d greatly appreciate your recommendations.

[xenon]

Get a hammock cover that covers the back seat and the footwell, and the back of the front seats. Clips to the headrests front and back. I got an official BMW one for my F10 but just a generic one for the F31.

[Mottok]

Jesus I really misread that title, thought there was going to be lots of car park talk there for a second...

[Jeff123]

If its a large dog, I just would not put it in a saloon. Slobbering, dog hairs, dirt, plus other less mentionable things.

A small dog is fine in the front footwell if its well behaved and supervised. Anything other than that I would have an estate or hatchback.

[Nobby Clark]

Originally Posted by Jeff123

If its a large dog, I just would not put it in a saloon. Slobbering, dog hairs, dirt, plus other less mentionable things.

A small dog is fine in the front footwell if its well behaved and supervised. Anything other than that I would have an estate or hatchback.

Strange how things change. When I was in shorts we had labradors - and an original mini. Dog was always happy in the footwell. Now everyone seems to need a new £40k hearse at the mere whiff of a pooch.Man maths...

[TodmordenLad]

In my experience, dogs and saloons don't mix, unless you're getting a miniature breed
Hatchback or estate is the best route, and even then you'd need a good liner

[Alscoob]

Personally I'd forget the dog & keep the car.

I would never put a dog in a saloon car period, unless it's a real emergency then it would have to be strapped down or you have a dog guard behind your front seats, if you don't, you hit the brakes hard..it hits your windscreen ! & as yours will be a large dog too much of a danger, it'll be slobbering in your ears. Not fair on the mutt either, rear of a 3 series doesn't give it enough space to move around to be comfortable.

You could do what my mate did when his wife wanted a dog... he bought an old mondeo estate as a dog car for her ! Dogs and cars = Estates or 4x4's

[xenon]

Usually mines in the estate boot but if ever I carry mine on the back seat he's got his harness on. I assume the OP would harness the dog too, especially if it's a large one.

@OP, if you're new to this you can get a harness that has a hasp on that fits straight into the seat-belt recepticle.

[Jeff123]

[QUOTE=Alscoob;23240762]Personally I'd forget the dog & keep the car.

Deffo, I had dogs for many years and on reflection they are a F****g nuisance. The dog was on my mind all the time, every time you go out, you have to get back "for the dog." Any issues - "sort the dog out."

When I put mine in the kennels to go on holiday, I felt instantly better.

[Mr Burt]

Big dogs and saloons don't go well.
Hairs, slobber as mentioned by others is not a good combo.
If you do indeed go down that route make sure the dog is secure.
The obvious reason is to prevent the dog from being injured or killed in an accident and the not so obvious reason is the dog killing you or your front seat passenger in that accident.
You need a F31 with a boot liner and crate. Dog jumps in and out on command, no mess for your car or you picking it up. Estates are great for transporting dogs.
Or get an SUV or a 'sporty' SUV and have to pick the dog up everytime it needs to get in or out as witnessed by me last week with a very wet, muddy Lab and a Q5 thing.

[xenon]

Originally Posted by Jeff123

When I put mine in the kennels to go on holiday, I felt instantly better.

If you feel better when you lock your dog up in a kennels it does beg a very obvious question.

[JNW1]

I know some people just cover the rear seat and put a dog there but personally I prefer to keep them out of the passenger area and hence as a minimum I'd want either an estate or hatchback with a dog guard.

The Hatchbag arrangement Drek has in his F31 looks good to me and if I decide to keep mine long-term I'll invest in something similar - like ACS springs, it's probably something I should have done years ago!

[Oompah]

Depends what is a big dog for you. We have a 42kg bulldog and he loves the hammock (6 point) in saloon. We did a 1000 miles trip with him at the back without any problems.
The main issue for me is him shedding all year round.
So in order to avoid clouds of his hair, I don't open any windows with him in the car.
Aircon on and off you go. Zero problem.

[Craig-SM]

She is a GSD size cross around 40kg so not a little dog. I’ve had big GSD's before but always had estates until recently. The shedding and hair doesn’t bother me, it’s only cleaning.
It’s more keeping the dog safe as I've only once had to have a dog in a saloon and it was when my wife had to come and collect me. The dog lead was tied to the seatbelt and the dog was doing its best to have a go at driving when she pulled up. The hammock and seat belt clip with harness seems the recommended route.

[Pizzaeatingking]

I have a 16kg dog, so not huge but a hammock works well for us. As long as the dog is well behaved then I dont see the issue, the hammock covers the seat bases, backs, backs of the front seats and door cars.

[Chappers 71]

We have been taking our Alsatian out in the back of the e92 for six months or so now, he's quite happy in there but I have decided that we need a wagon sooner rather than later, hence my recent decision to look at buying a F31 330d & not waiting for 340i prices to fall to within my budget.

[kzg1969]

put him in the boot......


...i say that in jest, but neither of our dogs would mind that. they would just lie down and sleep in the darkness.

[RobUK]

Not had a dog since I was about 10 yrs old. Do miss the company but don't miss picking up dog excrement. If you carry a dog inside the passenger compartment of a saloon then surely it becomes a projectile in an accident?

Unless of course...

[Nobby Clark]

Originally Posted by RobUK

Not had a dog since I was about 10 yrs old. Do miss the company but don't miss picking up dog excrement. If you carry a dog inside the passenger compartment of a saloon then surely it becomes a projectile in an accident?

Unless of course...

In an accident, that dog will flap about and pivot on that one securing point. Sure it may not be catapulted through the windscreen but it will hit the passenger seat and every occupant in the back.

safest it so put the animal in a crate in the footwell behind the front seat.
http://www.sacbee.com/entertainment/...127879114.html

[rossm]

Originally Posted by RobUK

Not had a dog since I was about 10 yrs old. Do miss the company but don't miss picking up dog excrement. If you carry a dog inside the passenger compartment of a saloon then surely it becomes a projectile in an accident?

Unless of course...

Yeah that would probably break the dogs back in the event of an accident but it will stop it launching through the windscreen at least

[Torque of the Devil]

It's a guaranteed way to make your car smell like a Dogs asshole but to each their own

[RobUK]

Originally Posted by Nobby Clark

In an accident, that dog will flap about and pivot on that one securing point. Sure it may not be catapulted through the windscreen but it will hit the passenger seat and every occupant in the back.

Originally Posted by rossm

Yeah that would probably break the dogs back in the event of an accident but it will stop it launching through the windscreen at least

Watched the second video...

...after the first one and 15 out of 16 tether-style pet restraints they tested, failed. So yep, dog and other occupants would most likely have a bad outcome.

Originally Posted by Nobby Clark

safest it so put the animal in a crate in the footwell behind the front seat.
http://www.sacbee.com/entertainment/...127879114.html

Good point, if you're in a saloon and have a pet that would fit.