So my wife wants a dog

[Isaac-1]

It has been a couple of years since our last dog passed away, and my wife and I have started thinking about getting another dog, and I would like your advice on best breeds of larger dogs for RV traveling.


Our last dog was a mastiff, though he was the runt of his litter at only about 120 pounds, and never traveled with us in the RV as he passed away shortly after we had bought our current coach.


Ideally we would like a large breed or giant breed dog again, but are concerned about rv park size restrictions. We also want a somewhat sedate breed, not one that requires lots of running and open space.


So in your experience, are there certain large breeds that RV parks tend to be the most lax about when it comes to "no big dogs" rules, how do they define "large dog"? etc.?


Thanks Ike

[A32Deuce]

Labs and Goldens are both friendly and approved dogs at CGs. Have had both breeds!
Never had a problem at any CG with either. Started with 2 Lab males, lost one and got a Golden female, lost her then lost our last Lab male. Never any problems at any CG around the country.

[Solo_RV_Guy]

Goldendoodle - big enough, very smart, a little less sedate than a golden retriever, very loyal and usually friendly.

[EJW]

Second the vote on labs. Had them growing up. My 72 year old mom still has one at their farm. Great dogs.

I'll mention what breed may cause some RV'ing headaches from experience - hounds, namely Plott Hounds. We rescued one last year.

We love her, and she's super sweet, but she's a working dog to the core. She's big with a lot of power and energy. Always needs a project. Those projects include me walking her a lot around the RV park and taking her to the dog parks. At our RV, sitting under the awning relaxing can be a challenge, er, non-existent for more than 10-15 minutes.

Depending on our trip, we've opted to board her and our beagle (who is a lot more chill).

[Mojim]

St. Bernard … …. keg?

[Isaac-1]

Thanks for all the replies so far, it gives us something to think about

[rk911]

i’ve encountered parks with breed restrictions as well as total # of pets at a campsite.

[DDDonkey]

I would look at a mastiff or great dane if you want a giant breed but not a st. Bernard. I have had both (mastiff and great dane) and love them but my favorite was my 220lbs Irish wolfhound that was a camping machine. The reason for not getting a St. Bernard is there is a lot of inbreeding (for color and size) from my experience and they show can aggressive tendencies.

I was a director at a non-profit service dog organization for veterans and it was on of the ban breeds list not only by the Board of Directors (three veterinarians sat it) and our insurance company. I currently have 190lbs Great Dane that goes every where and have never had an issue with him or any other of my Giant breeds camping in a park.

[450Donn]

Labs are also working dogs. They demand lots of exercise daily. Our last rescue lab mix loved to run. He would pull me on my bike for miles. I once clocked him at 22MPH pulling me? He also loved to chase balls and swim. Our current rescue is a LabChow mix. Loving, but definitely NOT athletic. If your not atheletic dont get a working dog. Standard poodles can be great companions. But they do require maintenance

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by rk911

i’ve encountered parks with breed restrictions as well as total # of pets at a campsite.

YES...we have also during our FT travels

Breed Restriction List are via Insurance Underwriters.
Roughly 14 breeds (including mixes)

• Pit Bulls
• Rottweilers
• German Shepherds
• Staffordshire Terriers
• Chow Chows
• Presa Canarios
• Akitas
• Doberman Pinschers
• Mastiffs
• Great Danes
• Cane Corsos
• Siberian Huskies
• Alaskan Malamutes
• Wolf Hybrids

Weight restrictions we came across were 25# Max Weight and 45# Max Weight


But those restrictions are encountered at Private/Public CGs (Banned Breeds/Weight)

State/National & COE Parks do NOT have those restrictions just leash laws (as do all the other types of CGs)






Look into 'Rescue' Dog Organizations for type of dog you want and for an Adult one.
Full grown and out of the puppy phase.


We had Border Collie/Mixes
Maggie from a puppy until 14 yrs old
She WAS our FT traveling buddy from the ag of 4 thru 11 yrs old
She was 78# so we came up against some of those Weight Restricted CGs.
Just went somewhere else.......not a big deal


Sugar was a 40# Border Collie/Spaniel Mix.....rescue


Now we have Dino......25# Border Collie/Beagle Mix. Also a rescue



We like Border Collies but need the Mix to chill them out a wee bit.

[GBRG07]

We have a 2 females one Mastiff and a Newfoundland. I love Newfies, everything about them but the mess they drag around in their fur can be a pain.
Lazy and doesn't mind traveling makes me think Great Dane.

[Bobb.25]

Twelve and a half years ago we got a Goldendoodle puppy. She has traveled through 32 or 33 states with us in either our RV or our Toad. She loves to travel and all we have to say to her is "Roadtrip" and she literally runs to the door of the RV wagging her tail. All she asks of life is to be with either the wife or me. She is non shedding and hypo-allergenic. ( I have tested her with a neighbor who is very dog-allergic ). At 65 lbs. I would consider her to be medium sized, as I have seen 85 lb. Goldendoodles. I have taken her to a dog park to play, and after a quick run around to check things out, she would come back and lay next to me, as she would rather be by her person, than anything else. It hurts my heart to think that she is approaching the end of her days, but when she has crossed over into the time of memories, there will be another Goldendoodle puppy in our lives.

[HR2004]

Our 35 lb child is plenty of dog.

[Scooter]

I think a 50# mutt from the pound would be just fine. You can spend time with the dog at the shelter for awhile to see how you and the dog interact. Think there should be a trial period after you get home.....to return Fido/Fida if it does not work out.