A friend of mine is car shopping, but she has two very tall greyhounds. She wants a vehicle that they can stand up in comfortably. I suggested a small mini-van, but she’d prefer a small SUV. Thoughts and suggestions appreciated. Thanks!
This is just the weirdest, vaguest question ever! :lol:
What’s “inexpensive”? $500? $5,000? $10,000?
Greyhounds are not THAT tall. They can stand up in literally any SUV out there.
So she should car shop like any other sensible person by checking out Consumer Reports/Edmunds/KBB/etc, figuring out what’s available in her budget, and then picking her favorite/the best-rated out of that bunch. 
WE were car shopping last year and a “dog mobile” was on the list. We ended up with a 2005 Expedition (we had just traded in our 1997 model for
commuter car for DH). We have two 80 pounders. I also wanted 4x4 again
and a back up vehicle for towing our horse trailer.
Most of the newer SUV’s I looked at felt cramped (Explorer, Edge) between
the slanted sides and huge consoles between the front seats. However, the
Ford Edge (the boxy thing) was a delight to drive, very roomy. We wanted
one recently for two days and liked it even better.
Sorry for the vagueness. It allows for some creativity in the response, but does not provide enough info for others who may wish to help.
Price range is around $12,000. She had a Hyundai Santa Fe, and the dogs didn’t have enough standing room.
My two great danes can travel in the back seat of my supercab F150, aka the half door/skinny, cramped back seat model.
I’d say any car with a back seat.
The best thing would be to have a kennel that is large enough to hold two kennels in the back for the dogs to ride in. Dogs should really be transported from place to place in a kennel, especially high strung animals that dont typically settle down when in the car. The kennel will provide a comforting den-like environment for the dogs giving them a sense of security when traveling, and they are more prone to lay down in a kennel. Not to mention, transporting animals in kennels is far safer for animals and people when driving, god forbid one should get into an accident.
I never kenneled my girls when I took them out, I’d just throw them in the back of the Tahoe or jeep and go until I started working as a vet tech…can’t tell you how many animals I saw that hit the windshield or went through the windshield when driver hit the breaks or got into an accident.
I’m laughing - we had two greyhounds so bought the station waggon version of the VW TDI - cost a ton more than it should have compared to the sedan, but we felt we just couldn’t put they greys in the trunk.
One trip with my white dog and her doghair had woven its way into the VW black carpeting and would not come out. So she was banned from my brand new car and had to go in the old p/u truck thereafter.
So that makes me think I might pick the Honda Element next time - it is pretty well all plastic, can be hosed out, can take all sorts of abuse.
People who buy cars for their dogs - are we nuts? (and carrying grain, as it’s easier to lift out.)
I feel like this definition of inexpensive meets everyones budget: I have a 2 door Ford Explorer Dogmobile with a hatch back that I keep the seats laid down on, its just dog central in the back. I transported a 130 pound Mastiff and he was able to stand (awkwardly) in the back. I feel like if he could, any dog can. Plus its not “SUV-sized” comparably so gas isn’t bad at all.
800 bucks with a salvage title. 200k miles on it and runs beautifully. Love that car.
I never kenneled my girls when I took them out, I’d just throw them in the back of the Tahoe or jeep and go until I started working as a vet tech…can’t tell you how many animals I saw that hit the windshield or went through the windshield when driver hit the breaks or got into an accident.
See I’ve seen the opposite, so my feelings are totally different. (Not picking an argument, just curious.) I know I’m in the general majority ‘wrong’ here. We had a long-term client of ours get into a car accident and the dogs crate was smushed in, and they weren’t able to cut dog out in time. I have a deafblind dog who screams like a banshee the entire car ride if you put him in a crate so I’ve always let him ride loose with my other two (they all three sleep peacefully). Thirdly, having crates in my backseat would seriously impair my vision when driving. I HAVE the crates for when I need them, but mostly they collect dust in my shed. I KNOW common sense says they should be confined just like children, infants, etc but I can’t force myself to put them in.
I’ve transported my greyhounds in several vehicles. I currently have a new Subaru Impreza wagon. Seats fold flat and my female actually likes riding behind the seats standing in the hatch. It’s cramped but they fit fine. I used to have a Corolla and with the rear seat sling from petsmart she rode fine. I got rid of it when I got a second hound with space issues. The roomiest vehicle I had though was a Toyota 4Runner which was fantastic. The power rear window was a favorite of the hounds. I’ve got a friend with a Honda Element and it’s fabulous for dogs.
I transport my English Mastiff in a minivan. Take the back seat out and you’ve got instant dog kennel. Really for your friend, any minivan or SUV would probably meet her needs, as most all of them have the same general features. Hatchback, removable rear seat, roomy cargo area. Personally I like my old Aerostar because a) it’s reliable and b) it has heat/ac vents by the rear seat I remove to keep doggy comfortable when it’s hot/cold out. I don’t look too sexy driving the green goblin but it fit my budget and needs.
Since there are SO many vehicles out there that will suit her needs it might be good for her to throw together a list suitable makes/models and go from there. Then out of that list make finding something that runs good priority numero uno. 12k is a lot to work with, she’ll have no problem finding a good vehicle for that.
Honda Element 
Its virtually made for dogs- no carpeting back seats can be folded up or easily removed:) and the seats come with heavyduty seatcovers already installed:)
Its front wheel drive that automatically goes to 4WD when it senses loss of traction (something like that) . We’ve had ours as a wedding-funeral-vacation-emergency work vehicle for 3 yrs, and it is GREAT on snowy icy roads. And its pretty good on MPG (way better than my Suburban and DH’s van).
And its a Honda 
We looked at everything since we have (now:() 4 dogs. The Element is tall enough for a Great Dane or 3. We travel 2x a year 9 hours to Maine with our crew plus stuff for a long week’s vacation. BIG Lab, small Berner, 2 Jacks, and once, kitty in crate. :eek: Tight but it worked…we also have a roofbox.
Great dog car…funky looking but practical.
Try a Honda Fit. My ex’s Grey fit in there perfectly with the back seats folded down. Great gas mileage, too.
And, as he got older, he didn’t have to jump as high to get in.
Yes, we bought the car for the hound, and I bought the F250 for my horse!
Honda Element has gotten several votes. Unfortunately, it has been discontinued. Otherwise, it would be my next dog-mobile (despite the looks only a mother could love).
My greyhound travels very well in my very USED Ford Expedition.
DH drives a Jeep Compass and we’ve found that it has plenty of room, and is really good on gas as well. Not too high off the ground (unlike my truck) and the seats fold flat. Has 4x4, althought we haven’t had it through a winter yet, so no opinion on how it handles in the snow.
We pretty much love it for everything that we’ve used it for.
Stay away from the imports
if you want to be under 12K.
Jeep Patriot…it’s built on the same frame as the Compass, but it has a boxier, more square body. My 3 50+lb. boys travel great in it. Brand new, I paid $16k.’
I tether the boys in seatbelts to the d-rings located in rear portion of the car.
Thanks for the replies, everyone. My friend tried a Honda Fit, Jeep Compass and a few others, and finally bought a used Toyota Highlander that she found just barely in her price range.
[QUOTE=TheRedFox;6478646]
The best thing would be to have a kennel that is large enough to hold two kennels in the back for the dogs to ride in. Dogs should really be transported from place to place in a kennel, especially high strung animals that dont typically settle down when in the car. [/QUOTE]
I had to chuckle at the comment about ‘high strung dogs’.
Greyhounds are about the most laid back dogs you’ll find!!!
I have taken three Greys very comfortable in the back of my now-dead Taurus wagon.
Currently I have a ‘hammock’ for the back seat of my Olds and the two boys are just fine there. They can both lay down / stand up quite comfortably.
Two hounds can also travel in a Mazda 3 or a Honda Fit with the seats down.
I have borrowed my son’s SanteFe for a couple of longer trips this summer and all three of mine travel very well in there with the back seats down.
