However, before you go out and get a dog to hit the road with, you first have to make sure that he’s likely to be a good fit for RV travel. You’ll find plenty of breed-specific pointers in our list – but when making your decision, don’t forget to think about your own personality. If you are an active person, a dog breed with high energy levels might be a good companion for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more relaxed RV lifestyle, then a dog breed with medium to low energy levels may be your best travel companion. Besides your own personality, other factors that will help you tell whether or not a dog is suited for RV travel include the dog’s temperament, its noisiness, and it’s trainability. Table of Contents: The trainability of your dog is one of the most important factors you need to consider. Getting your dog accustomed to an RV lifestyle may prove difficult especially considering the fact that the RV will likely be in constant motion. In the end, it may depend solely on your dog’s ability to adapt to new environments. A dog that can easily be trained will be well behaved while you are on the road, making your traveling experience much more memorable. No one wants to travel with a constantly irritated dog. Different dog breeds have different characteristics. Some dog breeds are just better equipped to adapt quickly to life on the road than other breeds. This is why it is so important to do your research on the characteristics of your specific dog’s breed and his characteristics. Alternatively, if you are planning to buy a dog, do your research on breeds that are accustomed to traveling on the road for long distances without causing much trouble. You also need to consider the size of the dog you intend to have as your traveling companion. Large dog breeds may take up a lot of space, especially if you have a small or medium-sized RV. They may only be suitable if you have a large RV with sufficient space. This is why most people prefer traveling with small or medium-sized dogs that are more economical when it comes to space. The temperament of the dog is another important factor to consider. Most RVs have thin walls and are not soundproof. So get a quiet dog that does not bark excessively. He should also be friendly and relate well with the neighbors and their pets. A territorial breed may cause problems with other dogs and inconvenience you and your neighbors. A breed that sheds heavily all year round will force you to clean your RV more frequently when compared to a dog that sheds little or no fur at all. Also, if you are allergic to dog fur, breeds that shed will affect you more than one that does not shed at all. The Labrador Retriever is a large dog that is very popular in the US, United Kingdom, and Canada. Males grow to heights of around 57 to 62 cm and weigh between 60 to 80 pounds. Females are slightly smaller, reaching heights of around 55 to 60 cm and weighing anywhere from 55 to 70 pounds. They are known for their loyalty, obedience, and friendliness. They have an easygoing temperament and often exhibit a playful nature. They also have high energy levels, needing at least 40 minutes of exercise every day. These dogs don’t bark too much, which makes them ideal for living close to other RVs. They are a very good breed if you have an active RV lifestyle. However, as long as you exercise them regularly, no matter what your lifestyle looks like, you do not have to worry about them barking excessively or being generally destructive. So if you love hiking or swimming, this is the breed for you. They are also very friendly and gentle with children, making them amazing RV travel companions. The Cocker Spaniel is a gun-dog breed whose main distinguishing feature is its long fluffy ears. These dogs are compactly built, with males growing up to a height of between 38 and 43 cm and weighing anywhere between 28 and 34 pounds. Females reach heights of around 36 to 42 cm and weigh anywhere between 26 and 32 pounds. It is an intelligent breed with a friendly temperament. They may seem shy at first, but once they get to socialize well with their environment, they can be quite active. Perhaps one of the most lovable things about them is that they have moderate energy levels and are quite adept at swimming. So if you have a moderately active lifestyle and you intend to swim while RVing, this is the breed for you. Cocker spaniels are very friendly to children, making them wonderful traveling companions if you are traveling with kids. Their compact structure also makes it easy to accommodate them in almost any small to medium-sized RV. The Dachshund is a muscular, short-legged, and long-bodied hound-type dog. A full-grown one has an average weight of between 16 and 32 pounds and a height of not more than nine inches. Dachshunds are loyal and independent, although they can have a slightly stubborn temperament sometimes. They were originally bred to hunt badgers and other burrowing animals, so they can also be very bold. Dachshunds have moderate energy levels and require approximately 20 to 40 minutes of exercise per day. They tend to tire out rather easily, though, owing to their short legs. Exercising them regularly and taking them for daily walks has been proven to make them less irritable, so you absolutely have to do this if you want to avoid some undesirable behavior like unnecessary barking. On the plus side, they are a very affectionate breed. This means if you have young children, they will absolutely love this dog, and he will show them lots of love right back. Also, since they are a relatively small breed, you can easily accommodate them in almost any small to medium-sized RV. Greyhounds have a tall and slender structure, with long skulls and elongated muzzles. A fully grown male Greyhound has an average weight of between 60 and 88 pounds with a height of between 71 to 76 cm. On the other hand, a fully grown female Greyhound weighs around 55 to 75 pounds and has an average height of between 68 to 71 cm. Their streamlined bodies make Greyhounds very swift runners. They also have a very keen sense of sight, making them a great breed to have if you spend a lot of your time in the wild outdoors. However, keep in mind that greyhounds get their energy in quick, short bursts. They cannot endure this for too long, so they tend to sleep a lot. Greyhounds are not bred for endurance, so they do not require extended periods of daily exercise. This breed is the perfect choice for you if you want a dog that is the best of both worlds: active when you need it to be, and laid back right after. They also do well in both outdoor activities and a smaller indoor space. The Beagle is a small scent hound breed that looks a lot like the much larger Foxhound. Beagles have an impressive sense of smell and incredible tracking instincts because they were originally bred to be hunting dogs. Fully grown male Beagles have an average weight of 22 to 25 pounds and a height of between 13 to 16 inches. Female Beagles have an average weight of 20 to 23 pounds and a height of between 12 to 15 inches. They are very loving and have a friendly temperament. They are also very social and need to be provided with constant company and attention. When left alone for extended periods, they will easily become bored and resort to destructive tendencies such as digging, barking or howling, or trying to escape. Beagles make great RV companions because they are so loving and loyal. However, be prepared to deal with their frequent barking and the fact that you have to pay a lot of attention to them. They have medium energy levels and make really good company as you exercise. The Dalmatian is a medium-sized dog breed whose distinct feature is its unique black-spotted coat. Dalmatians have a well-defined muscular structure that makes them look like they are packed full of stamina and endurance. Males have an average height of 23 to 24 inches, with an average weight of between 48 and 60 pounds, while females have an average height of 22 to 23 inches and an average weight of between 40 and 56 pounds. Dalmatians are very affectionate, intelligent, and have a friendly temperament. They are very active, having high energy levels that would require daily exercise, including walks, plenty of runs, and hikes. They would be an ideal pick for you if you have a very active lifestyle. They are also very friendly and gentle around children, making them awesome RV companions (the dog, not the children). The Fox Terrier is a medium-sized dog breed that was originally developed to chase prey and dig burrows. They have an average height of between 36 and 39 cm, with males weighing between 7 and 9 kg and females between 6 and 8 kg. They are loyal, active, and have a friendly temperament. They also have high energy levels, so they require a lot of exercise. They can also be quite playful and are fond of games, especially chasing games. Their highly friendly and active nature is also their undoing, though. They can be too rough at times, making them unsuitable to have among small children. That being said, they still make really great RV travel companions, especially if you are an active individual. Border Collies are herding dogs that were originally bred to help shepherds and herdsmen. Thus, they are an extremely energetic breed. Male border collies weigh approximately 31 to 44 pounds with a height of between 48 to 56 cm. Fully grown females weigh between 26 and 42 pounds with a height of 46 to 53 cm. Border collies are extremely intelligent dogs. In fact, they are thought to be the most intelligent domestic dog breed in the world. They are also very attentive and alert and have a nice, lively temperament. Their very high energy levels mean that they require a lot of exercise and other intensive activities such as playing fetch, running, and hiking. Since they are so smart, they make very good RVing traveling companions. Combine that with their high energy levels and the fact that they are great swimmers and you have the perfect dog for someone with an active, fun, lifestyle. However, since they have high energy levels, they may not be a good option to have around small children because they may sometimes be a little rough. The Jack Russell Terrier is a small dog breed that was bred for fox hunting. This terrier breed is distinguished from other terriers by its tiny triangular floppy ears. Adult Jack Russell terriers have an average weight of 13 to 17 pounds with a height of approximately 36 cm. Jack Russell Terriers are lively and affectionate and have a friendly temperament. This is why they are so perfect for the RV lifestyle. They have high energy levels, so they require intense exercise for about 30 to 45 minutes every day. Apart from the exercise, frequent long walks are also helpful to prevent them from being destructive. Traveling with your dog in an RV can be an amazingly fulfilling experience. Few things can match the freedom that comes with hitting the road on your own terms. In truth, almost any dog can comfortably live in an RV and will be suited for RV travel. The size or breed does not really matter as long as he is well trained. However, this list gives you the best breeds that will easily adapt to this new environment and maintain their cool no matter how far you need to go. As long as you dedicate some time and effort to provide your traveling companion with all that he needs, your experience should be fun and memorable.What Characteristics Make a Good Dog for an RV Lifestyle?
The Trainability of the Dog
Breed Characteristics
Size
Temperament
Shedding
The 9 Best Dog Breeds for RV Travel
Labrador Retriever
Cocker Spaniel
Dachshund
Greyhound
Beagle
Dalmatian
Fox Terrier
Border Collie
Jack Russell Terrier
Conclusion
Paw-fect Partner in Adventure! The 9 Best Dog Breeds for RV Travel
Traveling in an RV, either solo or with your family, is always an incredible experience. Having a dog as a traveling companion only makes things even more special.
Some of the best dog breeds for RV travel include Labrador retrievers, cocker spaniels, dachshunds, greyhounds, beagles, dalmatians, fox terriers, border collies, and Jack Russell terriers. Here is a closer look at each of these.
