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Original poster

Car for BIG dog!

31 replies

Wolfiefan · 05/02/2017 12:57

Finally got the dog of my dreams but she won't fit in my car much longer.
I'm thinking a 7 seater with the two back seats removed. Don't know which cars allow seats to be removed rather than folded down.
Boot entrance should be as low as possible and boot floor should be flat!(hence wanting to remove seats!)
Can you tip a middle seat forward to allow access through side (maybe sliding) passenger door?
Or do I need a van?!?! Grin

OP posts:
Sadik · 05/02/2017 13:13

Peugeot partner or similar? Drives like a car, but totally flat access to the boot and plenty of space for dog, children and random crap. As well as your dog, you can should you need drop the seats and put a laden pallet in with a forklift . . .
(Should say I used to have an 02 reg version but now have bigger van for work so not sure what the modern equivalent is exactly.)

Original poster
Wolfiefan · 05/02/2017 13:21

Thanks Sadik. That sounds good. Will have a look. We are a family of four so dong need lots of seats.
Do want reliability though. Had a shocking Renault that cost us a fortune in repairs and hassle.

OP posts:
Sadik · 05/02/2017 13:31

Ours was fine - ex-H still drives it though tbf it is pretty knackered now. But we bought it 2nd hand (ex Motability) in the first place and it gets filled with his work gear and hammered up and down unmade tracks, so it's not had an easy life.

I don't know about the newer versions though, would definitely be worth asking around - they're pretty popular round here, though that may be because we're a very rural area and people tend to have lots of dogs / children / work gear to cart about!

Original poster
Wolfiefan · 05/02/2017 13:38

Had a look online and (because of what it is?!) it's hard to get anything very new or low mileage.

OP posts:
Madbengalmum · 05/02/2017 13:41

What kind of dog? I have always found most large dogs to fit into an estate car.

Secretspillernamechange · 05/02/2017 13:42

We've got a Kia carens for our Newfie. Plenty of space for him in the boot without folding seats down. It's an ugly car (sorry to any other carens owners) but SO practical.

Original poster
Wolfiefan · 05/02/2017 13:47

Mad she's a wolfhound. So not exactly a standard size! Grin

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 05/02/2017 13:51

We've just got a Skoda Superb estate, and the lurchers have a huge amount of space in the boot, so might be worth a look as you just want them to get it and lie down.

Madbengalmum · 05/02/2017 13:52

Oh, i see! 😄
Maybe not an estate then!

Rumtopf · 05/02/2017 13:52

I used to have a 7 seater Peugeot estate that you could totally take out the rear two seats, as well as any from the middle row. Nice and low for the dog to get in and out, excellent mileage, cheap tax and really shifted on the motorway. I've got a huge German shepherd and there was plenty of room for him and my friend's Doberman to stretch out after a long walk.

Manepartner · 05/02/2017 13:55

VW sharan - the seats lie flat you don't need to take them out, they are level with the boot opening when flat.

Original poster
Wolfiefan · 05/02/2017 13:59

Haha Bengal no. Maybe not.
The thing is with this breed it's not just about physical space. I need a low entry point so she can ideally step in. Thought cars where the seats folded down would be too high.
Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
Original poster
Wolfiefan · 05/02/2017 14:01

CMOT. She tends to sit in the car not lie down. And I need there to be headspace for her to stand and turn round or get out the car.

OP posts:
Keeptrudging · 05/02/2017 14:05

Vauxhall Zafira, back two seats fold flat into the floor. We used to have one and could fit our big black lab plus all our camping gear in easily. Midfle row also slid forward, giving even more room.

BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 05/02/2017 14:08

We've had: Mondeo, Picasso, Galaxy (x2), s-Max, Mondeo estate & a Peugeot 807. I personally loved the Mondeo estate & the Galaxy. All have fitted a minimum of 1 Saint & as many dc as we had at the time plus a buggy comfortably. We're potentially switching back to a Galaxy from the 807 soon & I can't bloody wait.

BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 05/02/2017 14:12

For reference our Saint when we had the Mondeo estate was just shy of 90cm lanky moo. She could sit up to look out the window Smile

Manepartner · 05/02/2017 14:15

Thought cars where the seats folded down would be too high. not really because they fold flat to the level the dog would need to climb to get in, its flush against the boot entry point. Removing the seats would just mean there would be a dip down into a lower part after climbing in. I hope that makes some sense :/

Original poster
Wolfiefan · 05/02/2017 14:21

Mane that makes sense. I'm worried about her having to jump up over a boot lip into the car.
For context. She can't do steps as it would injure her joints. We are on very restricted exercise as she's a pup. And chewing my feet! Grin

OP posts:
SouthPole · 05/02/2017 14:25

No help (or maybe it will be!) but I met a chap whilst out walking the beagle and he had a mother and daughter Irish wolfhound duo.

In order to fit them in his car and not have to lift such huge dogs into the boot he bought a London Cab to take them around!!

BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 05/02/2017 14:25

Wolfie we have a ramp for our Saint when we have higher cars, I've a friend that's a fabricator so had it made for me but quite a few online pet supply companies sell them.

Original poster
Wolfiefan · 05/02/2017 14:26

Haha! I would love a cab! Need to be able to separate bouncy chewing puppy from passengers and upholstery!

OP posts:
Original poster
Wolfiefan · 05/02/2017 14:27

Bernards I have a ramp but it's such a blinking faff! And takes up valuable space in the car. If I have to replace my car anyway I would rather have one that means I could do without if that makes sense.

OP posts:
BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 05/02/2017 14:36

Oh yes completely! Our difficultly is that we have to fit 4, soon to be 5, dc in too so we're well in to people carrier territory. Have a look at mondeo estates, the boot in ours was flush with the entrance because it had had an upgrade (so under that it was storage) and either the passnger side or middle seat of the back row could be folded flush.

Original poster
Wolfiefan · 05/02/2017 14:38

Just don't think an estate will be tall enough. Shock

OP posts:
Sadik · 05/02/2017 14:38

I do think if you could find one in budget something like a Partner or Citroen berlingo would fit the bill perfectly. Ours you had totally flat side entry as well (either one, two or three seats folds forward in their entirety leaving a flat van base). They used to be reasonably cheap ex motability in particular as they're popular with people who use a wheelchair. What sort of budget are you looking at?