Guide: Picking the Right Car For Your Big Dog

Does your giant canine friend make your current car feel like a clown car? You know the struggle: trying to fit a Great Dane or a Saint Bernard comfortably in a small sedan. It’s a funny sight, but the reality is often cramped and stressful for both you and your furry companion. Big dogs need space, and standard vehicles just don’t cut it.

Finding the perfect vehicle for a large dog involves more than just trunk space. You need easy access, good ventilation, and enough room for them to stretch out safely on long trips. Settling for less means constant door-slamming mishaps, unhappy rides, and maybe even some chewed-up upholstery. We understand these pain points because we’ve been there, wrestling oversized leashes and toys into tiny cargo areas.

This guide is here to solve that headache. We break down exactly what features matter most when shopping for a car that truly accommodates your gentle giant. By the end of this post, you will know the best vehicle types and essential features to look for, ensuring happy, safe travels for everyone. Let’s dive into the vehicles that give your big dog the room they deserve!

Top Car For A Big Dog Recommendations

No. 1

URPOWER Back Seat Extender for Dogs - Hard Bottom Dog Car Seat Cover with 1PC Leak-Proof Pee Pad, Dog Hammock for Car and SUV, Pet Rear Seat Protector Dogs Travel Bed

Hard Bottom Design: The hard bottom dog car seat cover turns the back seat into a dog car bed, which increases 40% secure space and holds up to 400lbs to let your dog easily move around and lay down during the ride
Extra Large Dog Pee Pad 55x29.5in: Shield your car seats from messy accidents! The super absorbent pet pee pad can absorb liquid faster and quickly convert urine into gel, preventing unexpected puppy accidents, vomit, muddy paws, and drool
Full Coverage Protection: The dog car hammock features zippered side flaps to prevent your dogs from falling into the floor, while protecting your car seats and doors from scratches, dirt, spills, and pet hair
Fit Sedans & SUVs: For a better fit, please measure your backseat space before ordering! 51" L x23.6" W (hard bottom size) fits Compact Sedan, Midsize Sedan, Compact SUV, Midsize SUV, Full-size SUV. Adjustable straps and seat anchors ensures a snug and secure fit. This dog car seat cover for back seat ensures a stress-free ride for both you and your pet, whether you're heading to the park, the beach, the vet, or on a long trip
Visible Mesh Window & Pocket: The mesh window allows your pets to see you and brings better air circulation to relieve their anxiety on the road. Plus, the built-in pocket can store pet toys, treats, and other essentials

No. 2

Dog Car Seat for Large Dogs up to 60 lbs or 2 Small Dogs with 4" Memory Foam, Medium Pet Booster Seat Cover with Triple Safety Belts, Adjustable Leashes, Detachable/Washable (Dark Black, Large)

✅Prioritize Your Friend's Safety with Our Durable Dog car seat Your pup's safety is our top priority! This sturdy car seat for dogs features 3 reinforced seatbelt channels and dual adjustable tethers to securely contain your furry companion during all adventures. The non-slip base adds extra stability, ensuring the large dog car seat stays firmly in place as you drive. Perfect for medium-sized dogs and large dogs, this pet car seat offers peace of mind on every journey, making each ride safe and enjoyable
✅Indulge Your Dog in Cloud-Like Comfort Treat your pet to a premier travel experience in our car seat for dogs, designed for ultimate comfort. Generously padded with 4 inches of high-density memory foam, it creates a cozy haven where your dog can relax. Wrapped in ultra-soft crystal velvet, this large dog car seat offers a plush environment that promotes restful naps. Convenient side pockets let you easily store treats and toys, ensuring a delightful, stress-free ride
✅Effortless Cleaning and Vehicle Protection Maintaining a pristine dog booster car seat is easy! The removable, zippered cover is machine washable, allowing for quick cleaning that keeps it looking fresh. The enlarged backrest provides superior comfort for your pup while also protecting your car's upholstery, preserving your vehicle's interior. Enjoy worry-free travels without messes, so you can focus on creating joyful memories with your furry companion
✅Perfect for Travel & Daily Use Discover our multifunctional large car seat for dogs that transforms into a portable dog bed for car. This adaptable product is perfect for every occasion - traveling, relaxing at home, or going out. Your furry friend will feel secure and comfortable no matter where they are. With its easy transition from dog car seat to cozy bed, you can ensure their familiarity and contentment, making this an indispensable companion for all your adventures
✅Durable, Time-Tested Design for Lasting Performance Built to withstand countless journeys, our dog car seat is crafted from high-quality, durable materials. Reinforced stitching enhances its strength, ensuring long-lasting protection for your pup and your vehicle. This is no ordinary seat - it's designed to endure everyday use. With this secure and reliable product, you can count on it to provide a safe haven for your furry friend, offering peace of mind and dependable comfort for years

No. 3

JOEJOY Dog Car Seat for Large Medium Sized Dogs Under 55 lbs, Dog Booster Seat for 2 Small Dogs with Detachable Washable Cover, Memory Foam Pet Car Seat with 2 Safety Belts and Storage Pockets

【Elevated Design, Perfect View】：Boost your pet up by 4 inches, so they can enjoy the scenery outside the window. Whether it's a quick errand or a long road trip, this dog booster seat keeps your pup entertained and reduces their anxiety, making every trip a breeze. The high-density memory foam filling delivers superior support, minimizing the impact of road bumps and vibrations for a smoother, more enjoyable ride for your pet. Your dog will love the added comfort and feel more at ease in the car.
【Secure and Stable Design】：This dog car seats for small dogs feature a built-in adjustable safety belts to secure your dog's harness, preventing them from jumping out the window. This design prevents the seat from shifting, the non-slip bottom and headrest strap keep the seat stable and secure. ensuring a safe and comfortable journey for your furry friend.
【Optimal Size】：This large dog car seat measures 30 in (L) X 19 in (W) X 14 in (H), providing ample space for medium to large dogs or two small dogs, fitting seamlessly into the back seat or trunk of your car. It's not just a car seat; it also doubles as a travel dog bed and sofa cushion and more. WARM TIP: Please measure your pet before purchasing. Refer to the provided picture for specific size details.
【Comfort with Dual-Sided Design】：The two-sided design of this dog car seat features soft, short plush fabric on one side and breathable, comfort-enhancing faux leather on the other. This dual-material design ensures your furry friend stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter, providing year-round comfort.
【Multi-scene Use 】：The JOEJOY dog car bed is not only perfect for car rides but also doubles as a cozy bed for your dog. Its portable design allows you to easily bring it anywhere-whether it's in the car, at home, or outdoors. It features large capacity storage side pockets on both sides, providing a convenient spot to store doggy snacks, puppy kibble, and other essentials.

No. 4

Dog Car Seat for Medium/Large Dogs up to 60 lbs, Memory Foam Dog Booster Seat with Thick Cushion, Pet Car Seat for Back with Detachable Washable Cover, Storage Pockets for SUV, Pick Up, Trunk, Grey

Perfectly Sized for Comfort: This 35″ L x 22.5″ W x 13.7″ H dog car seat offers a spacious yet cozy ride, securely fitting medium to large dogs or two small dogs in your car's back seat or trunk. More than just a dog car seat, it easily doubles as a travel dog bed and a cozy sofa cushion at home, seamlessly adapting to your pet's needs wherever you go.
Versatile and Practical: This dog booster car seat is designed with raised bone-shaped sides for security and comfort. Crafted from premium crystal velvet fabric and filled with high-resilience sponge, it provides excellent support while effectively minimizing road vibrations. Built to maintain its shape over time.
Thickened & Elevated Comfort: The plush, waterproof 3.14 inch cushion of car seat for dog raises your dog to a comfortable window view. The floating base minimizes vehicle vibrations, helping ease anxiety and motion sickness, while the sturdy sponge maintains its shape and provides excellent support made every ride is calm and enjoyable.
Convenient & Safety Travel: This dog car seat includes two large back pockets to keep treats, toys, leashes, and waste bags neatly stored and within easy reach—so you never have to search for supplies on the go. It also features two built-in safety leashes to secure your pet and prevent jumping, while adjustable straps underneath and around the car seat ensure a stable and snug fit throughout the journey.
Easy to Clean & Maintain: The fully detachable design allows all components of the pet car seat to be quickly removed and reassembled. The sturdy and smooth surface resists dirt and odors, simply wiping or machine washing for effortless care. The raised backrest also protects your car seats from paws and fur, keeping your interior clean.

No. 5

URPOWER Dog Car Seat Cover for Pets 100% Waterproof Seat Cover Hammock 600D Heavy Duty Scratch Proof Nonslip Durable Soft Back Seat Covers for Cars Trucks and SUVs

DOG HAMMOCK WITH SIDE FLAPS - URPOWER dog seat cover with side flaps can protect not only your backseat but also the car door from scratches. Side flaps with up/down zipper is easier to help elderly dogs get in and out of the car. It can also easily convert from dog car hammock, to dog bench seat cover, or trunk cargo liner.
Fits Sedans, SUVs, Compact &Mid-size Trucks: Before ordering, please confirm whether your backseat length is close to 54 inch. The Standard size fits Sedans, SUVs, and Compact & Mid-size Trucks. It can cover the entire back seat for ultimate protection and hassle-free rides. Now you can enjoy family excursions without damaging your car!
WATERPROOF & WEARPROOF - Made of 4-layer fabrics, this dog car seat cover is waterproof to protect your seat from mud, liquid, hair, or any mess, durable to avoid scratching your leather seats, and comfortable for long road trip. No more endless sweep.
Nonslip & SAFE - Our pet seat cover has 4 levels protections to prevent your dog from slipping every time you apply the brake. The dog cover is equipped with nonslip backing, adjustable headrest anchors, seat anchors, and 2 Velcro openings to keep your dog in place. Your dogs’ safety is always our priority.
No Smell Material: The dog seat cover without terrible smell is friendly for pets and children. In an enclosed car space, no terrible smell is also important to keep you focused and driving safely, something that others’ dog covers on the market ignore.

No. 6

Instraella Dog Car Seat for Large Dogs, Back Seat Extender for Dogs, Foldable Pet Car Seat with Waterproof Oxford Fabric and Non-Slip Bottom, All-Around Protection and Strong Support

✅ Comprehensive Protection: The Instraella dog car seat for back seat features a 360° wraparound protection design that keeps your pet safe and secure during sudden stops or sharp turns. With its non-slip base and sturdy structure, this dog seat for car remains stable at all times, creating a reliable and secure travel environment for your pets.
✅ Spacious Comfort for Dogs: Measuring 27.5*21.6*20 inches, this large dog car seat expands your vehicle’s back seat area by approximately 40%, offering more space for your pet to move and rest comfortably. Ideal for both short trips and long drives, it helps reduce fatigue and anxiety.
✅ Flexible Installation: This dog seat cover for back seat can be flexibly installed on the left, right, or middle of the rear seat. Passengers can sit alongside their pets. Suitable for sedans, SUVs, family cars, etc. This versatile dog carrier adapts easily to different travel setups.
✅ Installation Notice: Please ensure the two tubes are tightly inserted into the connector during installation, pull all the surrounding zippers fully to the top to prevent the sides from collapsing, and firmly tuck the seat anchor into the gaps of the car seat to provide maximum stability and keep your dog securely in place.
✅ Waterproof & Durable Materials: Crafted from premium fabric, the dog car seat cover for back seat features a dual-layer waterproof coating, along with scratch- and dirt-resistant materials. It effectively protects your seats from mud, hair, and wet paws, while the wear-resistant construction ensures long-lasting performance for every journey.

No. 7

PROZAR Dog Car Seat Cover for Back Seat, Hard Bottom Back Seat Extender for Dogs - Supports 400lbs, Back Seat Pet Cover, Dog Hammock for Car SUV and Trucks

【HARD BOTTOM】: Back seat extender for dogs is more sturdy and stable than those soft bottom dog hammock, can hold up to 400 pounds, during the drive prevent dog falls. Fit most cars, mid-size SUV and truck.
【EXPANDED SPACE】: The dog car seat cover with hard bottom extends the backseat into a car bed. Enabling complete coverage of the rear area. The back seat extender provides your dogs with maximum space. Suitable for dogs of all breeds, this makes the back seat so comfortable for both of them to relax and actually lay down on long car rides.
【FULLY PROTECTING】: The hard bottom dog car seat cover is made of 6 layers of thicker wear-resistant fabric and a high-density fiberboard, waterproof, tear-resistant and non-slip, easy to clean. It can completely cover your back seats and doors. Fully protecting your car from scratches, dirt.
【WITH MESH WINDOW】: The car back seat protector has a mesh window that allows your pets to see you, relieving their anxiety on the road. You can store pets' toys, treats, and other essentials in the 2 storage pockets.
【EASY TO INSTALL】: The dog seat cover for back seat for car is simple to install and remove with straps and buckles. Just open it and spread it to the back seat of the car. Buckle the buckle and hang the strap on the headrest pole.

No. 8

MIXJOY Dog Car Seat for Large Medium Dogs, Back Seat Extender for Pets, Waterproof Pet Carseat for Medium Sized Dog, Hammock for Pet, with Storage Pocket for Cars/SUV/Truck(L-28 * 22 * 20.5in)

[Back Seat Extender+40% Space for Dogs]: The MIXJOY dog car seat extends 40% space in the back seat. Large dog car seat provide a larger and more comfortable resting space for dogs.
[Passengers Can Sit Next to Dogs]: Using dog car seat can better utilize the space of backseat of a car, passengers can also sit in the back. If you use the full wrap-around dog over, the rear seats will not seat people.
[Large Dog Car Seat ]: 1, MIXJOY large back seat is 28*22*20.5in and suitable for most dogs; 2, Car dog travel bed mattress suitable for Limousine, Family Car, SUV and Truck.
[Prevents Dogs Falls and Seat Scratches]: If your dog is very active, or if you brake sharply while driving, the seat cover help your dog stays on and keep your dog safe, giving you peace of mind during your travel.
[✓100% Waterproof ✓Slip-Resistant ✓Scratch-Proof]: The back seat extender for dogs is made of high-quality waterproof 600D Oxford fabric, the dog seat cover is easy to clean and durable. The dog car hammock on both sides can be used at the top to protect the dog's car seat from scratches, dirt, wet mud claws, and dog fur.

The Ultimate Buying Guide: Finding the Right Ride for Your Big Dog

Bringing your large dog along for adventures is great. But you need a car that fits them comfortably and safely. This guide helps you choose the perfect vehicle for your big furry friend.

Key Features to Look For

When shopping for a car for a big dog, some features really stand out. Think about space first. Your dog needs room to stand up, turn around, and lie down easily. Short trips might work with less space, but long road trips demand more.

Cargo Space and Access

Large Rear Opening: A wide and low liftgate makes it easy for older or stiff-legged dogs to step in and out. Tall openings are helpful too.
Flat Floor: A flat loading floor prevents your dog from tripping or stumbling when entering or exiting the vehicle.
Ample Cargo Volume: Measure the depth and width of the trunk or cargo area. A large Labrador or a Great Dane needs significant square footage.

Safety and Security

Tie-Down Points: Strong anchor points let you secure a crate or a safety harness. This keeps your dog safe during sudden stops.
Durable Flooring: Look for rubberized or easy-to-clean floor mats. These protect the original carpet from mud and accidents.

Comfort and Climate Control

Rear Vents: Good airflow in the back seats or cargo area keeps your dog cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Important Materials for Durability

Big dogs are tough on interiors. You need materials that last. Cheap fabric seats will shred quickly.

Upholstery and Liners

Leather or Durable Vinyl: These materials wipe clean easily. Spilled water or muddy paws do not soak in.
Heavy-Duty Seat Covers: If you prefer fabric seats, invest in thick, waterproof seat covers immediately. These take the abuse instead of your car’s interior.
Plastic or Rubber Cargo Liners: These protect the very bottom of your trunk from scratches from claws or heavy dog toys.

Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

The overall quality of the ride affects both you and your dog. A smooth ride is a happy ride.

Improving Quality

Air Suspension: Some SUVs offer adjustable air suspension. You can lower the car for easy loading. This greatly improves the user experience for large breeds.
Quiet Cabin: Better soundproofing reduces road noise. This helps nervous dogs stay calm during travel.

Reducing Quality (What to Avoid)

High Load Floor: If the trunk sits very high off the ground, lifting a heavy dog in becomes difficult for you. This reduces the quality of daily use.
Sharp Edges in Cargo Area: Uncovered metal edges can scratch your dog when they move around.

User Experience and Use Cases

Think about how you actually use your car. Do you drive to the dog park daily? Or do you take cross-country trips?

Daily Use Scenarios

Park Trips: You need quick cleanup features. Being able to hose out the back quickly saves time.
Vet Visits: Easy access means less struggling when your dog feels unwell or scared.
Family Travel: If you need to fit people *and* the dog, you must prioritize fold-flat seats that create a continuous, usable space.

Choosing the right car means balancing your budget with your dog’s needs. Prioritize space and durable materials. A happy, comfortable dog makes every trip better.

10 FAQ for Buying a Car For A Big Dog

Q: What vehicle type is usually best for big dogs?

A: SUVs, crossovers, and minivans usually offer the best space. They have large, square cargo areas perfect for crates or unrestrained movement.

Q: How much cargo room do I really need?

A: For very large breeds like Newfoundlands or Mastiffs, look for at least 40 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, or enough floor space for a 48-inch crate.

Q: Should I use a crate or a harness?

A: Both are good options. Crates offer maximum protection. Harnesses attach to seatbelts, which is great for general travel, but ensure the harness is crash-tested.

Q: Are third-row seats a problem?

A: Yes, if you need to use the third row, your dog must ride in the second row. This means you need durable protection for those seats.

Q: What is the importance of the door opening height?

A: A lower opening reduces the step height. This prevents strain on your dog’s hips and joints, especially as they age.

Q: What makes interior cleaning easier?

A: Non-porous materials like vinyl or rubberized cargo liners make cleaning fast. Look for minimal crevices where fur can get trapped.

Q: Does fuel economy matter more than space?

A: It is a trade-off. Larger vehicles use more gas, but safety and comfort for your large companion should come first.

Q: How do I stop my dog from scratching the windows?

A: Window guards or window screens are available. They protect the glass and allow airflow without letting the dog stick their head out too far.

Q: Are electric vehicles (EVs) good for big dogs?

A: Many EVs have excellent, flat cargo floors, which is a big plus. Check the actual cargo volume, as battery placement can sometimes reduce space compared to gas models.

Q: What should I check for regarding temperature control?

A: Make sure the rear vents blow strong air. Directing rear vents toward the cargo area is crucial for keeping your dog comfortable during hot weather drives.