Two dogs and a baby

[Roo3125]

Trying to get as prepared as possible as currently ttc.

In need of a new car that is big enough for a DC and two small dogs.

Dogs currently travel crated in the boot. Would ideally like to continue with this but also have enough space for a buggy.

Any suggestions? Don't want anything brand new, too big or expensive. Not that I'm fussy at all! 😂 Currently have a Corsa and Fiesta.

We have a Nissan X-trail - 2 dogs are crated in the boot and 9 month old in the back in car seat - which means the pram doesn't fit anywhere except also on the back seat very squashed up. we've stopped taking it out, she goes in a carrier now when we go out for walks.

We have decided that a van would better fit our needs though.

@SherlockSays I quite like slings so will probably go for that option, but OH would prefer pram pushing.

Quite like the look of the Nissan Juke/QashQai. Not sure if the Xtrail is bigger?

Our dogs are small so would probably half or quarter the boot and have a crate made to fit the space. Hoping a buggy would squeeze in the extra space! 😂 maybe putting the back seat down and feeding it through would work?

Dacia Logan with the longer boot also looks a relatively 'cheap' option! 🤔

My current car is up for sale. Will need to see when that goes or if I decide to trade it in.

We have a Kia Sportage and can fit in our dog crate, which is quite big, and folded pram alongside it, which is City Mini Jogger GT. It's a squeeze but it work! Can also get pram in back seats and still have space for car seat.

The X-trail is bigger than the Qashqai - the Juke is absolutely tiny.

I have 2 beagles so they're in a large crate and it takes up the entire boot - which isn't small by any means! Pram is just used for walking around shops when we don't take the dogs out now.

@SherlockSays Think that's going to be the same for us tbh. I do dog sports so would hope to bring baby along in the pram/buggy after a few months. Hopefully can fit one on the back seat though! 🤦‍♀️😂

We had the same dilemma, due our first baby in July but only have 1 dog, a mini schnauzer. We've settled on a Volvo xc40 which we're collecting next month. Other contender was the Skoda kodiaq but lead time on the order was too long.

If you can find a second hand Mazda 5, I can recommend - huge boot and they sell dog boot dividers even. We fit adult kids, large dog, 4 suitcases, dog bed and large quantities of hiking gear in without need for the roof rack.

Ps there's two extra seats in boot for when kid gets older and you have to run the football team (or in my case ferry older ladies about for work)

@stucknoue I like Mazdas! Will give the 5 a look, thank you!

@thedust We have a Bichon and a spaniel. The spaniel needs to be created as he becomes highly stressed and destructive otherwise! 🤦‍♀️

@Roo1325 yes ours is the same, she's a highly anxious rescue dog, barks at everything going past before we got the crate! Relaxes nicely now in the car with a crate and a blanket over it. Currently we have a fiesta and the crate is on the back seat so need more room! I keep saying to people the new car is more for the dog than the baby 😂

Skoda Octavias are very good for boot space and reliable enough to be popular as taxis.