Dog owners! Pram recommendations please?

[CharlieD2020]

Hi, we're now in tier 4 so our plans to have a pram appointment have been cancelled :(

This is our first baby (due in May) and we have absolutely no idea what to look for in a pram/what prices are reasonable/what brands are good/what we really need from a pram. I'm wondering if we should buy one in the January sales, but don't know what to go for!

I'd love to hear your recommendations / suggestions for prams that could be suitable for off-the-beaten track walks with our cockapoo. We live in a City so all walks from outside the house will be urban and on paths, but I would also like to pop the pram in the car and take baby and dog on a 15 min drive to a nearby country park once or twice a week. In these country parks, the pram would need to negotiate bumps, soil, grass etc.

Other things we're wanting from a pram:

• we want a separate car seat so don't want the pram to be part of a travel system
• ideally one that can be tailored to accomodate a second baby in the future (though not essential)

Thanks if you can help!

Hi @CharlieD2020 I'm in the same boat! Pram appointment cancelled next week, baby due in May. I can't really offer much advice, I'm leaning towards the Venicci soft or pure as the reviews for off roading look good but want to go bang it around in a shop to test it out for ease of use first lol I'm following your post for others suggestions. Might just buy it if in the sales, can always send it back but cba with the hassle

My boy is now 9 years old but if they're still as good as they were, my nipper 360 was amazing. outnabout.com/nipper-single?locale=en

Had a rowdy terrier and walked him every day with baby. Had one pram/pushchair all the way through until ds was 4 years old. Light as a feather,great in shops or off road. Fitted in the back of our small car. Lovely accessories. Honestly couldn't fault it. I loved it.

I’ve been looking at prams recently (I’m shocked at the prices!!) and I like the look of the Uppabany Vista.

We live in a village (but just outside the city) and have a dog so lots of pavements but also lots of woods/field walks too!

I feel the Vista is a good option and it can also turn into a 2 baby pram. The basket is also MEGA huge which is always a winner for days out!

Also in the same boat due beginning of May, tier 4, one very excitable dog need to begin to start looking. Online I was looking at the cosatto but I see on another thread today a couple of people don’t rate them. I don’t want to spend an arm and a leg!

Not a 3 wheeler ime... Once did a 360 spin with a delinquent ddog pulling!!

I was mortified!!

Have an uppababy vista which has done us well from newborn to 2 now. We live out in a village and it has been great for rougher and muddy tracks as has big wheels. Have also taken it on the bus and train into the city which was absolutely fine. A very friendly shop assistant in John Lewis told us that they sometimes keep last years models (display models) in the back and there was a little catalogue of everything they had so got the whole system half price. Was perfect other than a couple of small scratches.

Oh I should have said we have a dog!

I found a sling about a million times easier for dog walking.

We live in London so have a bugaboo bee for ease of getting about on public transport, and it handles better than I thought over rough terrain, but the sling/carrier was always my go to for decent walks

Hey! Congratulations - prams are very confusing when you first start out. I'm onto dc3 - we have had a fair few prams over the years and a few that turn into a double (uppababy and genie). By far the best we have had is the out n about nipper (we currently have the double) only "downside" is that it is forward facing. You can get a parent facing carry cot for it though - the wheels are fantastic they can handle snow, wet weather, sand, rough terrain and is so light to push. If you do get a out n about I'd recommend slime for the inner tubes...they're not a pretty pram but very practical...I bought a custom cosy toe & liner for the pram we have so it's a little bit more attractive. I'd also mention looking on secondhand sites for a pram - it can save you some money.

Also another vote for looking into a sling / and or local sling library - these can be great for babies who hate the pram and just want to be cuddled. We've used a stretchy sling for newborns and a tula / connecta for when they're a little older.

Oooh thanks for this thread, in exactly the same boat, due end of May with a dog that needs walking! Haven’t had a chance to look at prams yet (think we’re going to wait until after our 20 week scan in the new year) but watching with interest!

Not a three wheeler! Dog pulls in the slightest (after a good smell or a squirrel) and they tip. I learnt that the hard way. I had an uppa baby vista with my first and it was great. Massive basket to shove coats in when you take one but it suddenly gets warm. Really sturdy and I’d definitely recommend. Turns in to a double later on as well.

Hi. I have a bugaboo donkey, I have a 14mo DS and I’m currently pregnant with my third. I live in a city and have a 2 year old labradoodle. I find the bugaboo donkey great, the wheels are really big so makes going over little bumps so easy. It’s lovely to push which is a big help when I’ve got a dog lead on my wrist whilst walking. You can add a second baby to it (reason we bought it) and you don’t need to buy car seat adaptors if you don’t want to, but the option is there should you need to.
My dog pulls but I find because it’s such a big sturdy pram then the pulling isn’t really an issue. Also the basket underneath is nice and big!

@Ladsladslads

I found a sling about a million times easier for dog walking.

We live in London so have a bugaboo bee for ease of getting about on public transport, and it handles better than I thought over rough terrain, but the sling/carrier was always my go to for decent walks

Same - Ergo baby sling is fantastic.

Out n about 360

Mountain Buggy all the way - took on any terrain & coped with a bouncy spaniel. Really easy to push. We had one with a fixed front wheel and never had tipping /spinning issues. They look bulky but it fitted easily in the back of my little car (though admittedly the car was a bit tardis-like).
Friend had a similar Phil n Ted buggy that allowed for a 2nd child underneath - might be worth a look?

I have a babyjogger city GT and walk 3 dogs with it. We live in a village.

I do use a sling if I have someone with me to pick up the poo, but I prefer the buggy mainly. I've never had any problems 3 wheels with my 3 slightly naughty dogs but appreciate that may be luck.

I'm going to get the double when my next arrives in June.

I have the Jane Trider and have used it for my both my children. I have a springer spaniel and it’s great for going on off road walks. Both my husband and I love it. We also have a Phil and Teds which can be made into a double. I wouldn’t recommend that though, we’re constantly getting punctures and flat tyres. Like others have said consider investing in a decent sling. I just feel you have more freedom when out and about when baby’s in one