Hi all

So me and hubby have been arguing on whats the best way to travel kiara around in the car. He thinks crate , i think harness. ( she always goes in my car by the way).

Shes really well behaved in the car never barks or whines and currently is on a kurgo harmess and sits very calmly in the back seat with her harness on. She can even lye down with it on and sometimes goes to sleep on longer journeys. The reason i have never put her in a crate is because im scared if we ever godforbid had someone crash into us from the back , she'd get crushed is what im scared of. I prefer using a harness and shes fine with it.

What are you thoughts on crate vs harness?

I do both at times. Normally they are just on harnesses in the back seat but if I have to take them all and one of the girls is in season then she goes in the crate in the boot and my others go on the seat in harnesses. Either is fine and as safe as can be really. You can also strap the crate onto the back seat or hold it in place on the back seat with the passenger seat if that makes sense?

Just came to me that it’s not actually for the safety of the dog that they have to be restrained it’s so that they don’t become a flying object in the event of a crash.

Depends on the size and weight of the dog. I honestly don't believe those harnesses would hold back a large and heavy dog.
I opt for crates every time and tell that to puppy owners too. The crate needs to be secure or tailgate and rear guard will also do the trick if space is limited in the boot for a crate that is suitable in size

Most if the harness available have not been fully crash tested to the correct standards either. Last time I investigated there were only about 2 that were .
Personnaly I would always.choose a crate   bespoke to the car if possible failing thay a fixed crate in the boot area or as sj says a rear.dog guard and tail gate guard
Unfortunately in the event of an accident I think it is impossible to say if.the dog would be better in a.crate or.car depends on the accident.  As masajackrussell say the principle.reason is to protect the human occupants .as much as we don't wish to acknowledge that

There is also the issue of cleanliness, muddy paws in a crate versus on your seats should you need to quickly carry humans. 

Of course you can get seat protectors/covers.

I like the light crates as the mesh helps contain the dirt and hair, and is more easy to use on back seat than a fully meatl one, as it has some give.

For me, it's crates (or custom-made cages) every time.    I believe the dog travels far better crated than 'tied up' in a harness.   My Whippet's crate is located width-wise behind the front seats, with my old benching chains attached to the back seat fittings so in the event of an abrupt stop, she + crate don't 'fly'.    On long trips our Basset had his crate behind her crate at the back.   On short local trips, he used to travel behind her crate with extra padding/bedding.   If any dog is a poor traveller, as I always found our lot were better travelling in the dark, I covered the crates.   And with a crate/cage, a travel water bowl can be added.   And with crates, they can be taken into hotel rooms.

Look at K9 transit boxes. They are top quality.
My K9 did not fit the next car so I got a tailgate guard fitted to the car. Thanks to NOTLAW Cages in Gateshead.. It means I can leave the back up if I have to leave them in the car on a hot day, not for long. Or it is the last resort when we have workmen in to put them in the back of the car.

Mine are harnessed and strapped on the back seats. At one point they use to be in the boot but after I had two cars rear ended I won't put them in there anymore. The way the boots had been pushed in I imagine if I had of had a crate in it it may have been difficult to get them out. My current car doesn't have back doors so a crate on the back seat isn't an option for me it would be too awkward.

To crate or not to crate:  As a Breeder and an owner of numerous dogs, I have never used harnesses during transportation or in situ.  In the shooting world I have seen so many accidents happen and on two incidents a poor dog became entangled in the loose part of the harness and hanged themselves in a car accident & the other left in the vehicle between drives. Any New Puppy owner on collection is advised that a crate is a requirement not a recommendation and no Puppy has left my care in a harness or on someones lap. Soz just had to voice my concerns.

So most of you seem to prefer crate. But i have three issues ,

1) im still nervous about putting her in a crate in the boot area if she gets crushed , is there a crate that been crash tested safe for dogs ( in other doesn't get crushed) a friend mentioned police grade crates.

2) if i put the crate on the back seat im not sure if it will fit , i have an audi E-tron SUV. 

3) if i got a police grade safe one or one that made for the boot of our car , i then have the issue that its on PCP and not sure if I'll be allowed to put a custom made crate fixed to the boot. Im waiting to hear a reply from my dealer.

Any advice or thoughts on these issues are much appreciated

The custom made ones don't have to be attached to the car.they are in so tight when erected they don't shift.
There are some crash tested ones and I am trying to remember which. I am sure someone else will know .

If u google crash tested dog crates there are couple of studies done which might help u but I don't know exactly who.the peole are who have done them so.check it out. One also mentions harness and gives info on the safe ones

I think it was transk9 who I was thinking of .

The soft crates, depending on frame type have more give.

I have found a 36 x 24 x 26 inch high crate was too tall (just) to go in my son in laws mercedez 2 seater, but 24 inch tall fit fine.

Try measuring clearance at lowest point above seats and what distance you can get between back of front seats to rear seat backs.

Crate or no Crate:  topdogcustomcages site are the company I have used for many years and are an excellent company to deal with.

Furriefriends, i like the look of transk9 , i like they have an escape door to the rear. I might enquire more about them.

> Crate or no Crate:  topdogcustomcages site are the company I have used for many years and are an excellent company to deal with.

Thanks , I'll look into them too. Do they have to be fixed down to the car or are the tightly fitted but removable?

Crate or no Crate:  If you speak with the Sales Dept they can offer either.  My gundogs are always caged in the boot and that is all my vehicles are used for so mine are permanent but they can also offer removable.  Good Luck!