Furry friends don’t need to stay at home on your Porsche adventures
We asked dog-owning Porsche drivers for their top tips on how to travel with your four-legged friends on long journeys
Having fun in a Porsche is a given whether you’re the driver or passenger – but what if one of those passengers is a dog? First, there’s no need to get overwhelmed. With a bit of advance planning, you and your canine companion can have fun on the open road. Here’s your essential guide on how to travel by car with a dog.When pit stops become pet stops Before embarking on your adventure, plan your Porsche pit stops in advance. It’ll help reduce the chance of panic if you get behind schedule. Also research some dog-friendly locations you haven’t yet discovered – from parks to dog hotels. And if you’re going fully electric in a Porsche Taycan, you can double up charging stops with recharging your dog after they’ve been holed up in the car with you. The Porsche Charging Planner can even automatically schedule your stops around available charging stations along your way.“We routinely stick to a maximum of two-hour stints, regardless of the destination,” says Porsche 911 and dog owner, Matt Page. Matt and his partner’s dog Stanley love life on the road – they all regularly make the 700km round trip from their home in Manchester to visit family just north of London. Stanley, says Matt, usually gets restless after a couple of hours, highlighting the importance of those pre-planned stops. It also goes to show that the back seats of a 996 Carrera 2 are very pooch friendly. Matt Page’s dog, Stanley, is a seasoned traveller in his master’s 911 (type 996) Carrera 2 | PHOTO: Matt Page IG: @justcallmemattiCar training your dogInstagram sensation Brock Keen has been rolling with his Golden Labradoodle, Lucy, in his Porsche 911 (type 996) and roof tent since it was a puppy. He says that getting your dog accustomed to car travel at an early age is a huge help in keeping them settled on long drives. “My wife and I have been travelling with Lucy since she was eight weeks old,” says Brock. “We even picked her up in our 911. That was her very first car experience – it was a very proud dog parent moment!”.It even feels like Lucy loves the thrill of speed as much as her owner does. “Travelling with her is really easy. She doesn’t move around a bunch as she’s so used to it,” adds Brock. “She’s happy to just sit and watch the world go by. She even leans into the corners as we drive around them – it’s the most adorable thing.”Kate Reid is another who advocates initiating your pup to life on the road early on. A renowned pâtissier from Sydney, who – according to the likes of the New York Times and The Guardian – bakes the world’s best croissants, ¬introduced her black Labrador, Lily, to her 718 Cayman GTS as soon as possible. “Lily loves being in the car,” says Kate. “Since I knew she’d be driving with me a lot, I made sure when I first got her that she went everywhere in the car with me. She got used to it very quickly. Now, she’ll typically sleep for the entire journey.”Brock Keen’s labradoodle, Lucy, has been on the road in his 911 (type 996) since she was a puppy. It’s like a second home to her | PHOTO: Brock Keen IG: @996roadtripPack lots of food and water for your dog on a Porsche road tripDon’t be tempted to take short cuts on the doggy supplies when you are heading out on a Porsche road trip. “I almost always travel with his food, favourite treats, his own bottle of water and a plastic drinking bowl,” says Matt. “Dogs often pant in moments of distress – which can result in dehydration – so water is the most important must-have. Due to the unpredictability of other road users, you never know when your animal might become distressed.” It’s not just water that helps keep dogs chilled – there are special pet cooling mats available, providing a cold surface for your dog to lie down on. Matt also suggests getting your dog to abstain from food for a period before you head out. “My biggest no-go with Stanley is food before a drive,” he says. “Especially if we’re driving on winding country roads. Most dogs need at least 45 minutes to digest any food before driving. Thankfully, there have never been any incidents in my Porsche!”.If your dog can get a little agitated on a drive, try this tip from Kate – although it’s perhaps not for everyone. “If it’s a lengthy trip, I’ll make sure I have some dog snacks in the car with me,” she says. “Lily’s favourite meaty treats are guaranteed to keep her entertained for a decent length of time.”Staying secure with transport boxesBut, above all else, it’s safety that’s the first concern for any Porsche and dog owner. Securing the right product not only minimises the risk of injury to your animal in the case of an incident but will also make their ride more comfortable and calming. And, of course, in many countries securing your dog when in a car is a legal requirement. Matt says that Stan’s dog seat belt means freedom for dog and owner. “It makes me feel more confident with riding in the front passenger seat, which he loves doing in the 911,” he explains adding that he has also looked for other ways to adapt his classic 911 to enhance Stan’s experience. “I take off the base of the back seat to help him get into a comfier position, or even remove the back seats all together.”“My four-year-old Corgi, Ollie, loves it when we keep the windows down,” says Andrew Florin – vintage Porsche researcher, photographer and medical student, “but it’s important to prevent an over-excited pup (for him, that’s when he sees the Pacific Coast Highway!) from accidentally leaping out through the window. Always secure your belt or leash at an appropriate length, and in between each shift, be sure to give your pup a gentle scratch on the nose.”Keeping your dog safe doesn’t mean that it comes at the expense of style and comfort. The dog transport box from Porsche Tequipment can be fitted to certain seats in your car, as the box compatible with various Porsche models in the range. With removable and washable interior padding, it’s a one-stop box for any Porsche journey.Box clever: the Porsche Tequipment dog transport box provides style, safety and comfortIf you’re planning to secure your dog further back in the car, the foldable and washable Porsche Tequipment trunk box for dogs can be fastened to provide both maximum comfort and impact protection with its air cushions. What’s more, it can be taken outside of the vehicle to double up as a portable dog bed. There won’t be too many other dogs snuggling up in their very own Porsche (bed). When you have a dog on board, it’s all about making life comfortable for them… and youDogs in cars – follow the rulesThe call of the open road may be strong but ahead of any international Porsche road trips with your dog, research the rules in advance. The laws on carrying animals can also vary from country to country. Many require you and your pet to travel with their health certificate or pet passport on board, for example. There is often strict guidance on how and where your pet should be harnessed in the car.Choosing dog car accessoriesAt home, your dog is likely to have their pick of favourite toys and playthings. While it’s tempting to take everything with you on your Porsche road trip, the experienced doggy drivers we spoke to all said to be selective before you leave. Brock says that Lucy can be comfortable for up to nine days of road travel with their minimalistic approach. “We’ve got it down to the point when Lucy can go out for days and be totally comfortable,” he says of their pared back approach. “It’s also about understanding that you probably don't really need to have everything that you’d have [staying] at a Ritz Carlton.” For Andrew and Ollie, there’s a well-loved item that never leaves the front seat of their Porsche 356. “The mainstay of every drive is a large and cosy beach towel,” he says. “This isn’t there to protect the vintage leather or vinyl interior, but to shield his tiny paws from what can become a toasty surface, and to provide a little bit of grip so he doesn’t slip and slide around the corners.”Kate Reid, meanwhile, discovered a stylish Porsche accessory to elevate both her and her dog Lily’s driving experience. “Because I adore my Alcantara interior, I’ve found a cover for the seat that matches, so Lily doesn’t feel like she’s missing out on the Porsche luxury,” she says. “If she does happen to get muddy paws on our pit stops, I can rest assured that my beautiful interior remains intact!”Life’s a beach for Porsche pro, Ollie the corgi | PHOTO: Andrew Florin IG: @porschuhhs…Then just enjoy your Porsche road trip with your dogOnce you’ve got the practicalities taken care of ahead of a Porsche road trip with your dog, it’s all about having fun. “Praise them when they are calm, create a routine and free them to stretch their legs as often as possible,” advises Matt. “But most importantly, if you feel like you are struggling, seek professional advice on how to calm your dog while on the move. Dogs can be very distracting in vehicles, so a calm pet will create a safer and more enjoyable environment for everyone onboard.”Going on a long car journey with your dog may be daunting at first, but once they settle into a routine it can be hugely rewarding. “Ollie gives us the flexibility to stop wherever we like,” Andrew says. “Once, we drove to Palm Springs in a 1961 Porsche 356B T5 Coupe and he did nothing but smile the entire drive there. You’ll often catch him contentedly staring off into the distance for as long as the drive permits. The only true limiting factor is the winding road before us.”Kate Reid’s black Labrador, Lily, sitting pretty in her 718 Cayman GTS | PHOTO: Bianca Tuckwell IG: @biancatuckwellKate’s dog Lily is not only a pro at riding in a 718 Cayman GTS, Lily’s owner says she even has a keen ear for Porsche engine notes, just like her former aerodynamicist mum. “This of course makes me immensely proud,” says Kate. “Not only is she my best mate, she’s my sidekick who tags along on all adventures – and that includes in my 911 Carerra GTS.” As Brock maintains, when taking your dog on a Porsche road trip it’s all about keeping it simple. “You might make an extra stop or two to get out and throw the ball around, but there's really not a lot to travelling with a dog – big or small.”How to install a Porsche dog transport box
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