The best option is the one you will actually use. My opinion is that anything is better than loose dogs.
I spend a lot of time in the working dog world. Some of us are volunteers, others are in law enforcement with specially equipped vehicles. Every single one of us uses a crate for our dogs (with the exception of law enforcement officers where the vehicle is specially equipped--generally for remote release). Even the law enforcement officers use crates for their personal dogs. Crates should be well secured to vehicle (as noted, no bungee cords). You certainly do not need to pay thousands for a crate. Any airline approved kennel (example: Vari-Kennel) will work well. If you will take them in/out frequently a Vari-Kennel may be preferable to a heavier version like a Ruffland. Personally for 2 dogs I like 2 separate kennels, but others may prefer a single 2-door model.
If you elect to do the divider route, you don't need to buy a Volvo brand cargo/pet divider at the premium price you quote; there are many aftermarket brands that are perfectly good.
One factor in your decision-making: does your vehicle have side curtain airbags, if yes are they in the cargo area? Having personally been in 2 rollover crashes where these deployed, I suspect it could be very bad for a 60 pound dog sitting unrestrained at the window when these deploy. But admittedly, I don't have hard data to back this up.
I spend a lot of time in the working dog world. Some of us are volunteers, others are in law enforcement with specially equipped vehicles. Every single one of us uses a crate for our dogs (with the exception of law enforcement officers where the vehicle is specially equipped--generally for remote release). Even the law enforcement officers use crates for their personal dogs. Crates should be well secured to vehicle (as noted, no bungee cords). You certainly do not need to pay thousands for a crate. Any airline approved kennel (example: Vari-Kennel) will work well. If you will take them in/out frequently a Vari-Kennel may be preferable to a heavier version like a Ruffland. Personally for 2 dogs I like 2 separate kennels, but others may prefer a single 2-door model.
If you elect to do the divider route, you don't need to buy a Volvo brand cargo/pet divider at the premium price you quote; there are many aftermarket brands that are perfectly good.
One factor in your decision-making: does your vehicle have side curtain airbags, if yes are they in the cargo area? Having personally been in 2 rollover crashes where these deployed, I suspect it could be very bad for a 60 pound dog sitting unrestrained at the window when these deploy. But admittedly, I don't have hard data to back this up.
Statistics: Posted by Vermonster — Wed Mar 27, 2024 9:52 am
