Do you have an adventurous lifestyle that entails you regularly traveling from one spot to another in your RV? If that is the case, then you should get a dog who would easily adjust to traveling in an RV with you.
Several breeds can not only handle RV travels but also enjoy them. To spare you the heartache of having to leave your dog behind when you go on a trip, we have listed 22 of the best dog breeds for RV travel.
Table of Contents
List Of 22 Best Dog Breeds For RV Travel
1. Labrador Retriever
Labradors are naturally drawn to adventure, making it no surprise that they seamlessly adapt to RV travel. Their adventurous sense does not only extend to RV travel, but they also enjoy hiking and swimming. The Labrador Retriever would be your ideal adventure partner.
2. Greyhound
These highly attentive dogs are natural protectors. They can unleash quite the impressive sprint when need is, but they can also be calm and relaxed. Greyhounds prefer to relax in cool areas and nap the day away when they are not running about outside.
3. Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is widely admired for being one of the first-choice companion dogs. Golden Retrievers are always keen to please their owners and spend time with them. Whether it be in an RV or a campsite, your Golden Retriever will gladly be at your side.
4. Cocker Spaniel
This friendly and intelligent breed is highly adaptive to all sorts of living environments, including RVs. A Cocker Spaniel is an ideal RV travel dog due to its adaptability and relatively calm nature. However, they are energetic enough to be excellent hiking buddies.
5. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an easy-going breed that generally tends to go with the flow. They are undemanding and are a breed that will compromise to ensure that their owner is happy. Their eagerness to please their owners makes them a highly responsible and dependent breed.
6. Maltese
Taking an affectionate Maltese on an RV trip with you is like taking a piece of your home with you. This breed has a unique charm that makes them one of the favorites among domestic dog owners. Maltese have also been known for being an easy breed to train.
7. Beagle
This medium-sized breed was initially bred for hunting. They are highly social and would never complain about having company. Hence this makes them the ideal road trip partners. However, their high shedding volume may make it difficult to clean your RV after a trip.
8. Bichon Frise
If you are on the market for a hypoallergenic canine companion, then the Bichon Frise is the dog for you. They hardly shed while being fun-loving and easy-going. These fluff balls would gladly chill and keep you company for hours while you drive your RV.
9. Dalmatian
As you may have guessed from the Movie 101 Dalmatians, this breed is highly energetic and loyal. As someone who frequently indulges in various outdoor activities, a Dalmatian would be the ideal dog for you because of their boundless energy. They would gladly hike, climb, and swim at your side all day.
10. Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd is distinct from its unique fur pattern and can adapt to various environments. They can live in cold or warm weather, and Australian Shepherds are among one of the friendliest breeds. If you are traveling with more than one pet, your Australian Shepherd would seamlessly get along with your other pet.
11. Great Dane
Despite their large frames, the Great Dane is a favorite in terms of RV travels. Their insatiable thirst for adventure and their reassuring presence is something that many individuals simply cannot seem to get enough of. Having your Great Dane with you on a hike would simply make you feel even safer.
12. Border Collie
The Border Collie would not be an excellent match for novice owners despite their affectionate nature. They do not fend well when they are left alone for too long and often wander off, and they also become bored quite quickly. However, their curiosity makes them ideal for RV travel.
13. Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russel Terrier is a small independent breed that can be described as a ray of sunshine. They are prone to becoming overweight, so you should ensure that they can exercise now and then during your travels. A quick walk should be enough for them.
14. Fox Terrier
These elegant dogs are generally seen in dog shows because of their intriguing appearance. As their name suggests, they have high exercise requirements, and they can grow somewhat depressed if they are not allowed to play or exercise.
15. Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are highly adaptive to any living environment and are great dogs for novice owners. They are affectionate and easy to train. Chihuahuas love to sleep, so a couple of hours on the road is nothing they would complain about.
16. Dachshund
Dachshunds are medium shedders; they are as intelligent as they are stubborn. They can be tricky to train, but training them would be a good challenge for a patient owner. Dachshunds are a generally healthy breed too.
17. Vizsla
The Vizsla is an excellent RV travel companion for you and your family. They tend to get along well with children, and they have the energy level and patience to keep up with children while playing around. Despite their kind nature, they can also be excellent protectors.
18. Boxer
The Boxer is a guard dog who does not shed much and is easy to groom. Boxers are generally friendly towards children, other pets, and strangers, making them ideal for campsites.
19. Cavoodle
The Cavoodle is renowned for its small teddy-bear appearance. They have long and wavy fur coats that require significant grooming to maintain their fluffy appearance. Cavoodles can get along with children and are highly energetic, and they enjoy participating in any activity with their family.
20. Boston Terrier
Boston Terrier, also known as the “American Gentleman”, is an affectionate and gentle breed. As their nickname suggests, they are highly friendly and generally enjoy interacting with other people and pets.
They do not shed much and do not have high grooming needs. However, you should keep an eye on your Boston Terrier while on a trip because they tend to wander off when they grow bored.
21. Yorkshire Terrier
This elegant breed required frequent grooming to maintain the health of its fur. Yorkshire Terriers do not shed much despite their long fur, and grooming them is generally straightforward.
Yorkshire Terriers are not very friendly towards children and strangers, so early socialization would be vital in ensuring that your dog does not become hostile towards visitors.
22. Corgi
The Corgi is a small dog with a compact body. They are well-known for their generous nature, and they would go out of their way to please their family and are highly lovable. Corgis are outgoing and would never shy away from an adventure or an opportunity to spend time with their family.
Characteristics Of A Good Dog For An RV Lifestyle
Temperament
A dog’s temperament refers to its overall personality. As an RV travel companion, I suggest getting a quiet and calm dog who does not mind sitting around for hours, and a loud dog would make the trip unpleasant for both you and your neighboring vans.
The Trainability Of The Dog
Dogs have to be trained for RV travel because it is out of the ordinary for them. They would most probably end up seeing several strangers and other dogs, so they need to be trained to ensure that they respond to them appropriately.
RV travel also means that your dog may have to undergo further training, potty training to ensure that they do not mess in your RV. This would be more easily achieved with dogs who are known for being easily trainable.
Size
Smaller dogs are generally better suited for RV travel because they are more accustomed to being indoors rather than bigger dogs. Bigger dogs typically spend more time outdoors and tend to have higher exercise requirements than smaller dogs.
You need to choose a dog whose size is appropriate compared to the size of your RV and one whose exercise requirements you can confidently satisfy while traveling in your RV.
Breed Characteristics
You should choose a more adaptable dog breed. Adaptability is a vital characteristic to have when traveling by road because anything unexpected can happen, and you need to know that your companion will be able to adapt to the situation.
Before choosing a breed, you should research and identify any characteristics that might make it challenging to have them with you while traveling by road.
Energy
Your dog’s energy levels largely influence whether it would be a good RV travel companion or not. If your dog is overly energetic and struggles to sit still for more than an hour, then they would not be suited for RV travel.
On the other hand, if your dog lacks energy and does not enjoy walks, hikes, or even swimming, then the adventurous lifestyle might not be for them. You should opt for a dog whose energy levels are average.
A dog who can join you in your outdoor activities while being able to sit still during the RV ride would be the ideal choice.
Shedding
Cleaning fur out of an RV can be quite a daunting task, especially if your dog is a heavy shedder because their fur will be everywhere. I recommend choosing a dog who does not shed much to spare yourself the trouble of having to clean the fur out of your RV.
A heavy shedder becomes an even larger problem if you or your mates/family are allergic to dog hair. In this case, you should get a hypoallergenic breed.
FAQ
What Dog Breed Is Best For Camping?
Several dog breeds are best for camping, including the Vizsla, Labrador Retriever, Collie, and Australian Shepherd.
Can You Live In An RV With Dogs?
Yes, you can live in an RV with dogs. However, you need to ensure that those dogs can adapt to living in an RV and can be left alone without becoming destructive.
Are Golden Retrievers Good For Van Life?
Yes, Golden Retrievers can generally live in vans. However, your van should be big enough to accommodate you and your Golden Retriever, and you should also train your Golden Retriever to adapt to living in a van.
How Do You Travel With A Dog In An RV?
While traveling in an RV with your dog, you should keep your dog in their kennel and avoid leaving them in the trailer. The trailer will become too hot, and your dog will suffer from being left in there for too long.
What Dog Breeds Are Good For Van Life?
Dogs who can adapt to various living environments are best suited for living in a van; these include the Chihuahua, Golden Retriever, Greyhound, and Maltese.
Which Dogs Don’t Travel Well?
Dogs who do not enjoy sitting still for long periods of time generally do not travel well. These breeds include the Toy Poodle, English Bulldog, and Cane Corso.
Conclusion
If you tend to go on several RV trips annually, you should get a dog suited for that lifestyle. Having to leave your dog at home and find a dog sitter can be pretty disheartening for both you and your dog. Hence, you should do some research before getting the best dog breeds for RV travel so that it best suits your lifestyle.
