Which dogs suit a trailer
A trailer suits any dog who cannot or should not run alongside a bike: short-nosed breeds who overheat, older dogs, puppies whose joints are still growing, and dogs recovering from injury. It also suits a fit dog on a long ride, letting her run the first stretch and travel the rest. A spacious dog bike trailer covers most medium breeds comfortably.
Measuring for headroom
Height is the measurement people skip. A dog in a moving trailer sits up to look out, so measure from the floor to the top of her head sitting, as well as her length lying down, and check those against the internal cabin size. The stated weight limit describes the frame, floor and hitch rather than the space inside. The premium bike trailer is the roomier option for a tall dog.
Suspension, wheels and hitches
Twenty-inch air-filled wheels, a sprung rear axle and a hitch that pivots in two planes are what separate a trailer you can take on gravel from one that belongs on a cycle path. Quick-release wheels decide whether it fits in the boot. The SEPNINE 2-in-1 for large dogs uses a reinforced frame for the heaviest loads.
Training and first rides
Introduce the trailer parked, with the doors open and her blanket inside, and build up over a week or two to a short, slow ride on a quiet path. Clip the internal tether to a harness rather than a collar. A 2-in-1 trailer and pram lets you do all of that in pram mode first, which takes the bike out of the equation entirely.
Trailers, prams and joggers
Buying one frame that does two or three jobs saves money and cupboard space. The 3-in-1 trailer tows, pushes and takes a jogging wheel. If you only ever push, the lighter options are in pet strollers, and for a pet small enough to lift there are carriers and backpacks.
Shop with confidence at Petifo
Petifo is a Swedish company and we ship across the EU with tracked delivery. Prices include VAT, with no extra customs fees on EU orders. If something is not right you can request a return within 30 days under our return policy, and our team is happy to help you choose before you buy.