Dog-friendly holidays are becoming more and more popular. In fact, as part of our recent Dog-friendly Trends Report, we found that bookings with dogs are up by 36% year on year! We love that people are taking their pups on holiday with them; introducing new environments and sensory sensations can be beneficial to your dog's health and well-being.
Taking a closer look at dog-friendly holidays, we’ve revealed the dog breeds that make the best travel companions. We’ve also teamed up with Dr Emma Scales-Theobald, PhD Veterinary Medicine & Science, who has shared her top tips and tricks for when you’re travelling with your dog.
At Canine Cottages, we have plenty of accommodation options for you and your four-legged friend(s). Paw through our dog-friendly holiday cottages to find the perfect property for you.
The best travel companion breeds
Whilst all dogs are different no matter what the breed, certain traits can make some dog breeds preferable to travel with. Looking at factors such as how easy-going the dogs are, how good they are at adapting and their ability to travel on longer journeys, we have found the top five dogs to travel with!
Labradoodle
A crossbreed between the labrador and the poodle, a labradoodle is an all-rounder that is perfect for taking with you on holiday. As a friendly and highly intelligent dog, this breed takes first place as the best breed for holidaying with. Labradoodles have high energy levels and will need a lot of exercise to feel satisfied. But if you’re a hiker or a runner, this breed could be the perfect dog for you. They’re also hypoallergenic, so people with allergies can, in most cases, own this breed too.
Bichon frise
A wonderfully fluffy, snow-white dog, the bichon frise might not be one to take on a muddy run, but they’re a great dog for holidays. Taking second place, this hypoallergenic dog is great with children, with a playful but kind demeanour. This is a dog that will need frequent and consistent grooming due to the nature of their coat, but with care and love, they’ll be the best travel companion, all the while staying fresh and clean!
Boston terrier
The Boston terrier claimed third place as the best dog to take on holiday with you. A relatively small dog, the Boston terrier is a lively dog and travel buddy. With their distinct tuxedo markings and a body built for activities and walking, they’re great for long walks and exploring the countryside and beaches across the world. They also make for great family dogs and can easily be around children. They can have a high prey drive, so this is something for owners to be aware of when out and about on walks.
Commenting on the different dog breeds, Dr Emma Scales-Theobald explained, “These breeds make great travel companions! Many are small breeds, which makes them a more manageable size and easier to travel with. However, the larger breeds listed have lovable, laid-back and confident temperaments, which more than compensate for their larger size when travelling. All these breeds are sociable and adaptable, allowing them to adapt well to new environments and with meeting new people.”
The full list of dog breeds included in the study, along with the ‘travel compatibility’ score can be found below.
How to travel with a dog according to an expert
Sharing advice on travelling with your dog, Dr Emma laid out her three top tips to ensure that you and your dog have an enjoyable holiday.
1. How to travel long-distance with your dog
- If you are going to go for a long journey, but your dog is only used to doing short, local trips, try some longer drives before the big trip
- If your dog gets a little stressed or anxious in the car, consider using calming aids like pheromone sprays or consult your veterinarian for medications
- Some dogs suffer from motion sickness, so it’s worth feeding your dog a couple of hours before their trip to give them time to digest their food before going
2. Key considerations when planning a trip
- For their safety, it’s worth making sure your dog’s microchip and tag details are up-to-date and you have a list of local veterinary practices or contact details for a video-vet service ready
- Your dog must have the same food because a sudden change in food can cause a stomach upset, which your dog may be particularly prone to if they find travelling stressful
- Make sure to bring their water bowls, or travel bowls as some dogs are very fussy about what they want and drink out of and might not like a change
3. Helping your dog adapt to their new holiday environment
- It’s important to allow your dog time to familiarise themselves with the new environment. When you arrive at your destination, give your dog time to explore and get comfortable
- If your dog is used to sleeping in the same room as you at home, then try to accommodate that during your trip so they can feel secure. It’s important when on a trip to try and stick to your dog’s routine as much as possible
- Playing their favourite games can also help them feel more settled and secure
Hopefully, you’ve now got a better idea of which dog might suit your holiday needs! Remember to always consider your dog’s health and fitness before embarking on a trip. If you’re about to book a staycation, why not check out our best dog-friendly properties for 2024?
Methodology
To rank the top travel companion dog breeds, we first found an up-to-date, reliable source containing a list of the 30 most popular dog breeds in the UK.
We then conducted sentiment analysis of social media posts using the social listening platform Linkfluence. To do this, seven different factors were used. Once the factors were collected, they were normalised, to provide each factor with a score between zero and one. The normalised values were then summed, to give each breed a total score out of seven. Where data wasn't available, it was given "-" and a score of zero. The dog breeds were then ranked from highest to lowest, based on their total scores. We then spoke to dog behaviourist, Dr Emma Scales-Theobald to back up our findings.
The factors used were:
- Compatibility with other pets
- Size
- Long journey
- Pub
- Long walks
- Easy-going
- Adaptability
You can view the full methodology, index scores and all seven data points here.
Sit, stay and lie down in one of our cottages
When planning a holiday with your faithful canine companion, you'll want to sniff out the perfect dog-friendly holiday cottage. We have thousands of pet-friendly holiday cottages to choose from, so take a look and see which one sets Fido's tail wagging!
Emma Scales-Theobald PhD MSc
A canine behaviour and nutrition consultant who provides regular expert advice to Canine Cottages on the subjects of canine health and behaviour. She holds a PhD in Veterinary Medicine and Science from the University of Surrey, as well as an MSc in Animal Behaviour from the University of Exeter.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.