I've been looking into changing my vehicle and i keep coming back to this lovely 4x4.

The back is very high and i know that i'd have to help my dogs into it, but just wondering over time how much damage would it cause to the dogs jumping out of it?
I do have a ramp but its an absolute pain to put up and down each time.

Is it advisable to steer away from a 4x4 in this case or is it something which prob won't make a huge difference to the dogs until they are elderly??

Just a dilemma i'm going over in my head..

For interest i'm looking at the Volvo XC90 and if that is a non starter then the XC70 which is slightly lower at the back i believe...

I chose a Hyundai Santa Fe purely because of the height for the dogs being able to safely jump in.  I have been very pleased with it.  They now have a newer model and not sure if the boot height differs much.

To be honest, as someone else has posted, there are lower 4x4's available.  I have a Honda CRV, incredibly reliable, have hardly spent a penny on it over the two years since I bought it, until I recently got a new set of tyres and had the shock absorber fixed.  It's such a reliable little run around, another one to consider would be something like a Subaru Forester, they last forever.  The only *proper* 4x4 I'd really want to buy, is a Toyota Hilux, they go on and on, but would be a pain for you having to put a ramp up and down all the time, same as the Volvo, unless you can have a sliding one built in, under their box? 

Thanks and keep the ideas and thoughts coming.

Just measured the height of my boot now for my Golf and its not even an 1/2inch shorter than the rear of a Range Rover Vogue, which i thought was very similar to the Volvo...hmmm..

I have got a nissan x trail and although it is quite high my staffy and rottie both jump in with no issues. 

I discovered when I got the car that the jumping height between 4x4's and normal cars isn't as much as I thought as the lip on hatchbacks etc means the dogs have to jump to clear the lip but land lower rather than landing on a level surface.

Hi suejaw, we have just changed to a Honda CRV, got he same breed of dog as you he jumps in quite easy and when he gets out I hold him by the collar and one arm under his tummy so he doesn't go down on his legs it goes quite easily, but must be said he does'nt go in this car very often, not like my little peugot 207 estate which is brilliant think it was made for him.

Suejaw.

We invested in a ramp and it is such a pain to use that it has rarely been used - and it takes up most of the available space. As my two have to be assisted in and out of the boot, I have found that the height makes little difference and if anything easier when the boot is at waist level. One has to be lifted anyway and the other has been taught to place his front feet up and to wait whille I lift him from his rear end. Realise they are just about manageable at 30k to lift and find it much easier at a decent height than having to scoop them out of a low boot. Good luck.

Ah Sue - you are worrying about the wrong thing - Bramble has decided its just not cool to jump into the back of our car any more (renault espace) - I know she can jump in but with typical bernese stubborness she is having none of it! She won't even put her front paws up so I have to lift the front end onto the car then haul the back end in (yes I know she is taking the p!ss :-D) . Now this is bad enough going out in the car but our current walk has a very muddy, disgustingly stagnant pond that she takes great pleasure in lying down in and believe me lifting a sodden, stinking, muddy heap of bernese into the car is not something you want to do on a regular basis :-D. So don't worry about the height jumping out, you need to get one low enough for them to step in! I was thinking along the lines of a truck with a rear lift for my next one :-D :-D

> so I have to lift the front end onto the car then haul the back end in

I do this with my youngster every time he gets into the vehicle, i never wanted him jumping in as a pup and he's just got used to it, but he is a heavy boned dog, so i think its ok :-D
My other one is sooo agile he jumps in and out like he was a BC or something..

I'm soo taken with this vehicle, in black, its very sleek, but not sure how long it would be before they ruined it?? Scratch marks as they get in and out... Hmmm...
http://www.volvocars.com/uk/all-cars/volvo-xc90/Pages/default.aspx
The safety aspect of this vehicle is very good and its actually good off road too. I currently live in a very rural location and when we had snow i had no chance in my little Golf getting through...Emissions, fuel consumption is also very good too, which means lower tax banding..

We also have a Hynudai Santa Fe , our dogues manage without problems , I think it may be one of the lower models.
If we were to change ours it would only be for a newer model , but we'll have to win the lottery first!

Hi Sue
for comparison I don't think the XC90 is any bigger in the back than the XC70 which I drive but getting a big/old/sick dog in & out of the 4x4 was a concern to me. One of mine does need to use a ramp which is heavy & bulky but no choice there. For younger, fitter dogs getting in shouldn't be a problem with either model & you could always install a tailgate guard to have controlled exits rather than a mass exodus!
My friend has the Merc 4x4 (biggest one) & although it's cavenous inside the back is nearly waist high & getting the Newfie in is no joke. She had a Range Rover before but that she said just drank money.
Although I would like to sit up higher in a 4x4 I quite liked the look of a Dog Wardens van - I think it was a Peugot Expert(?).

Sue, I've got friends with a big 4x4 and a young Leo, they've had a ramp fitted to the back of theirs (it just swivels out) and it is amazingly quick and easy to use.  I had the van/4x4 dilemma not long ago, and went for a Fiat Scudo because the back was so low, however if I'd seen this ramp beforehand I would definitely have gone for a nice 4x4!!!

> they've had a ramp fitted to the back of theirs (it just swivels out)

Can you find out details from them as to who fits them and how much that all costs, as that has to be put into the total equation..
I was going for a van, almost got to my test drive at VW and decided it really wasn't for me.

Back to the dilemma of the Volvo's now and maybe a few more vehicles added in for choice.

Also i've got to bear in mind i have 2 large breed dogs and who knows what the future may hold?? ;-) so need enough room in the rear to cover possible expansion of dogs..

> I don't think the XC90 is any bigger in the back than the XC70

Thats is very good to know too...How good was your car when it was snowing?

We had a landrover freelanderand both dogs fitted lovely in the back together,

some days after a walk my eldest at the time used to struggle, she'd put her front legs up and i'd have to lift her bum (laziness or unable to do it i'm not quite sure) however we lost her just befor she turned 6 so she didn't quite reach a really old age.

a great car and nice and roomy, would def recommend a 4x4, although not everyone will agree as you do tend to get the anti4x4 brigade.

Ohh, XC70 is my dream car!

I've got a Nissan Elgrand, like a Hilux, loads of room and very low at the back, no problem for large breeds and it's black and I'm selling it! I live in the country, it's got a snow gear on it and is good through floods, average fuel consumption (diesel) and loads more seats than a standard van. Just got a Mistubishi L200 pick up type thing with a cab back, husband's idea and it's awful have to lift the dogs in and out, lift the trolley in and out, wish I'd never bothered but anything to keep the peace :)

> The back is very high and i know that i'd have to help my dogs into it, but just wondering over time how much damage would it cause to the dogs jumping out of it?
> I do have a ramp but its an absolute pain to put up and down each time.
>

I had a 4x4 when I first got Alfie (St Bernard) and also found the ramps to be a pain.  In the end I brought a sort of step thing from Robinsons that is sold for horses.  It keeps your brushes etc in and also acts as a step/seat.  Its about the size of a tool box and was perfect to tuck in the corner of the boot and Alfie learned to use it easily.

Had to sell the 4x4 in the end as he wouldnt fit in it anymore and got a people carrier that you can take the seats out of.  Perfect for families and large dogs.

Lisa

>http://www.volvocars.com/uk/all-cars/volvo-xc90/Pages/default.aspx

thats my dream car ......... one day I will have one !!

>for comparison I don't think the XC90 is any bigger in the back than the XC70

it is if you remove the two rear seats (its a seven seater)

I usually put the passenger seats down anyway if I can get away with it so oodles of room!
Sue it was fine during the snow - has a "Winter Pack" & you can also go from automatic to manual. OH took the car during the bad weather & left me with his cr***y boneshaker van.

forgot to add that the XC70 being an AWD hasn't a great turning circle like my old volvo 240 which turned on a sixpence, but I am pants at parking.

in answer to OP.....I have a landrover defender, and most of my adults can jump in themselves (giant breed) but even as adults I NEVER let them jump out unaided.....what I do is simply support the front end as they jump out, either with a collar or by taking their fore hand weight and allowing them to lightly touch the ground at the front end before the back end comes out.

sam , you read my mind i used to have a ford explorer and it wasnt the jumping in bit but the jumping out that worried me ,again i had to control their exit to avoid injury not easy with giant breeds

> I NEVER let them jump out unaided.....

Likewise I didn't think it was good for 'any' dog at any age to jump out, especialy large heavy breeds.

wow thanks guys.. It was the getting out that was an issue for me too, which is why i asked.. The only problem i foresee even with a tailguard is that they both want to get out together. I do have to hold the youngster back so he doesn't bomb out of the car..

I have a lot of vehicles to look at and weigh up. I'm not sure that with all the extras i want on the XC90 i'll actually be able to afford it right now :-(..

I'm very interested in the other 4x4's and also the XC70, so will check them out, space inside vehicle - i don't want to be putting back seats down if possible, which is what i do now and its pointless buying another vehicle to do just the same. I also want one which has reasonable fuel consumption and emissions - So basically the XC90 but not(does that make sense)??

I have time this week to sit down and do a lot of research... I appreciate every reply on this thread and the XC70 does also look very promising too..

I hate making decisions like this - why can't it be easy??

Sue, there's plenty of room for 2 BMDs in the back of the Volvo. I've taken 3 to Crufts + 2 passengers but the back seat passenger had to have her dog on the back seat (harnessed) with her & I had to put the roof box on to transport all the shopping home!

Thanks, think the idea of the XC70 might actually now be sold as the better option all round, including price :-)
Now to find the right one on autotrader...
I just didn't want to compromise the back seats if i wanted passengers. If 2 fit in the boot with room then i'm happy with that.

Apparently they bought the ramp ages ago, but because it was such a pain to use it never got used.  Since getting their young Leo they've actually doctored it themselves and made it fit.  So I imagine anyone who's a bit handy could do something similar for you.  I can try and get a photo if it helps, I was incredibly impressed!

Susie if you could take a photo as i know you are a dab hand with your new camera now that would be great. If you could put it on FB, then i can have a good look at how they've done it..

We have an Nissan X Trail 4x4 and it takes our 3 Goldens very comfortable....not to high up to jump.
Also very reliable cars.....this is our second one.

Hi Sue I have just transferred to a VW Sharan. Loads of room in the back for three berns and four for short trips, it is not too high to jump in and out of and with the rear tailgate guard I can release them one at a time. I still have 5 seats and OH has put a wooden board across the back of the rear passenger seats to keep it clean so the gilres don't sit up against it, I love it and so do the girls. The biggggest.. benefit is that I can get 45/48 mpg out of it as well on a long trip.....it is diesel.
Hope you and the boys are well?
Aileen

OK, bear with me Sue, I'll get something to you asap

We bought a Landy Defender to cart our Newf around in. It has a high boot floor so we bought a ramp to get him in and out, but it can be a pain so we ditched the Defender and swapped it for a Subaru Forester, which has a really low floor at the back. Much nicer to drive too.

Now he jumps in and out, except when he's feeling lazy and refuses to move until we put the ramp up for him (so we still have to carry it around in the back seats!). There isn't much you can do with a stubborn 75Kg Newf!

Soon after we first got the Forester, I didn't bother taking the ramp with us when I took him out for a walk in some nearby woods. We got back to the car park after the walk and he refused to get in. I tried throwing treats in, getting in myself and calling him, lifting his front paws up...everything I could think of but he wouldn't get in. After 75 minutes of this in the car park (and lots of laughs from passers-by!) he finally relented and jumped in. Now the ramp stays in the back seat!

Sue, have a look at my 'wall' on FB, my friend has just added some pics for you : )

Thanks Susie!! That's such a wonderful idea and it doesn't look too difficult either to do!! Thank yr friend for putting them up! Xx