Mary Allen
So this year, many people take the car to and from the mountains. If the dog is going with you, it can be good to keep track of the rules that apply for the dog to travel safely in a car. It’s not as simple as putting the dog in the trunk and going.
Safety in the car is just as important for the dog as for anyone else who rides in the car. Just like for humans, it is dangerous for the dog to travel by car without being restrained. A German Shepherd weighing 30 kilos, in a collision of 90 kilometers per hour, the weight will be 3840 kilos. A small chihuahua weighing 2 kilos has a power of 256 kilos in a collision at 90 kilometers per hour!
Car Cage or Seat Belt
The dog travels safely in the car in a special car cage or fastened in a seat belt. All this can be found in the pet store. The Swedish Board of Agriculture’s regulations and general guidelines on transport state the rules that apply to the transport of dogs. For example, they may only be transported in the passenger compartment of a passenger car if supervision can take place from the passenger compartment during the transport. In addition, measures must be taken to secure the animals during braking.
The space should allow the dog to stand and lie in a natural position. Objects that could harm your dog should not be in the vicinity. Dogs that go behind gates in the cargo area should not share space with luggage in this space. There is always a risk of luggage falling over the dog and injuring it. Your dog usually travels most safely in a properly anchored cage located in the car’s combi space.
There are transport cages that are adapted for all different car brands. Grids cost slightly less. A good cage must be crash-approved.
This applies in accordance with the Swedish Board of Agriculture’s regulations and general guidelines on transport:
- The dog must not be kept permanently in a vehicle and for a maximum of 3 hours according to the main rule.
- You must not leave the dog unattended in the vehicle if it is possible that the temperature goes above + 25 ° C or below -5 ° C.
- During transport, the dog should be rested and given water at least every six hours. It must be fed at a maximum interval of 24 hours.
- A female that runs must be transported separately from male dogs.
- A pregnant female must not be transported in the next two weeks before the expected puppy.
- The bitch must not be transported earlier than 1 week after the puppy. There are exceptions to these two rules for companion dogs that are transported in a car and for a distance of fewer than 50 kilometers.
- A puppy must be at least 1 week old and the navel should be completely healed for you to be able to transport it.
General requirements for transports with several dogs
- You may only transport your dogs when they are suitable for transport. Dogs that are sick or injured must not be transported.
- When loading the animals into or out of the vehicle, use appropriate equipment.
- You should be able to take care of the dogs during the transport or entrust the care to someone who is suitable.
- The vehicle you use for transport must have a space that is specially designed for dogs. The space must be shielded from the personal space with a grid or net.
- The space where the animals are transported must be designed so that the animals can stand up and lie down in a natural position. If necessary, you should be able to insert partitions that protect the dogs.
- The space must be designed so that it protects the dogs from sunlight. It must be mechanically ventilated with a fan that works even when the engine of the vehicle is switched off.
- The dogs must not be stored permanently in a means of transport.
- It must be possible to evacuate via more than one escape route without inconvenience or delay.
How Heavy is Your Dog
Dog breed – Original weight – Crash at 50 km / h – Crash at 90 km / h
- Chiuaua – 2 kg – 80 kg – 256 kg
- Jack Russel terrier – 6 kg – 240 kg – 768 kg
- Schnauzer – 15 kg – 600 kg – 1920 kg
- Shepherd – 30 kg – 1200 kg – 3840 kg
- Great Dane – 65 kg – 2600 kg – 8320 kg