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Is This the Ultimate Dog Vehicle?

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January 29, 2010

Is This the Ultimate Dog Vehicle?

By David DiBenedetto

Believe it or not, some of the buzz from the North American International Auto Show is about new vehicles designed for toting around dogs. The one making the most noise is the Honda Element EX Dog Friendly, which includes a soft-sided crate in the rear of a vehicle, a rear fan for keeping your pup cool, a ramp (so that little yappers can access the crate from the ground), a spill resistant water bowl, and a floor that can literally be hosed off.

In possibly the only humorous line uttered by an auto executive since Lee Iacocca left the biz, John Mendel of Honda said, “In an interesting turn of events, cars are now chasing dogs.” Well, maybe dogs but not necessarily hunting dogs. I’m sticking to my very utilitarian 4x4 Jeep with the dog crate in the back. I have one dog so anything else is overkill, but if I had a few more (Dear Wife, that is a HINT!) I would certainly consider a large SUV with a modified kennel area in the back.

In the piney woods on the outskirts of my town of Charleston, S.C., there’s a very popular dog vehicle I yearn for. Horsepower? Well, that would be two mules. Four wheel drive? Well, four wheels, at least. Seating? Well, often there are two couches and behind them about four dog boxes for the pointers. You can see one of these vehicles in the photo above. But I’m here to tell you that unless Pritch learns how to paint like Picasso there’s little chance I’ll ever own one of these quail buggies. (It’s kind of useless to have a quail buggy and no land to go hunt quail on.) But a simple man can dream…can’t he?

What’s your idea of the ultimate dog vehicle? Have you modified your own ride to make it hunting dog friendly?

Comments (27)

Top Rated
All Comments
from BIGGAMECOCK wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

When that Powerball comes through for me (or, coming soon, MegaMillions in SC as well), a Land Rover Defender 90, jump seats removed, dog box in the rear, is the dream. Convertible top, of course. Until then, my '07 Chevy Tahoe with a wire kennel pushed to the left side, all my crap on the right, works pretty well. If I do convince The Boss to let me get another dog, before the baby train comes into the station, we may need a Suburban. I have already crafted my case for it.

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from Sharkfin wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

I can't imagine a better dog vehicle in the world than a pickup truck with a camper top. When I was a kid we had a bunch of beagles and my dad screwed a big plastic tub to the floor of the truck. A little caulk over the screws and it'll hold water. Hose it out and it's good to go.

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from pinopolis wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

now that's a sweet ride!

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from blackdawgz wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

Reckon I'll go out and take a photo of my van when it quits raining. I'm an old engineer and professional welder. I jacked up my '83 1-ton Ford van and slid 1-ton 4WD gear in. 4.10 positraction, C-6, 300/4.9l six, C-6 tranny, original radiator for 6.9l diesel, Dana 50 front diff with 1-ton hubs, IFS. I know the Honda is top quality, but the Ford will pull a house down in low range. Bill and Woofie ride in it and it has a ton of room for other dawgz, but I'only got two right now. Gotta keep 'em dry, too. The weather here will put a dawg into hypothermia in a short time. 33 degrees and raining will suck the heat out of anything. I don't see how the deer and elk survive. Pritch is such a cute li'l chile. I'd hate to see her lookin' like a popsicle.

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from Dave DiBenedetto wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

blackdawgz, Would love to see that beast of a vehicle of yours. -D

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from Brittle wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

amazing, but i don't think i need horses just to got hunting

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from Bella wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

Excellent!, self replicating one burro powered drivetrain uses no gas (but occasionally produces some, in addition to it's standard exhaust product)! Quiet, (except for the braying) nimble, rugged, simple yet customized. Get stuck in the Donner Pass or some other such tribulation and you can eat the burro and burn the wagon! Food and warmth! try that with a SUV! Besides the exhaust is great fertilizer! One other great thing, If you drink too much the Burro still knows the way home!

+3 Good Comment? | | Report
from TJ wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

A wheeler with a dog box is fine for me.

+3 Good Comment? | | Report
from fisherman14 wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

That contraption at the top... Thats one B A ride! And the seats look comfortable...looks good for dogs to. But I have to agree with TJ,: A wheeler with a dog box

+3 Good Comment? | | Report
from kelmitch wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

I used to hunt a brace and hope to again so it would have to have plenty of room for dogs and for other hunters plus equiptment.The bird hunting here is not what it was in the 80s.My wife says I am stuck there I guess the bird numbers being up here then is a good reason to like those years.The bird hunting is getting to be a drive away so it would have to have comfort for all.An Escalade SUV would have to do I guess.

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from WisconsinDan wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

Wish we could post a pic here. I use my Polaris Ranger with a dog box in back. The ultimate Grouse mobile! pretty good ice fishin too.

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from WisconsinDan wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

Somebody here should do a story on user submitted "dog carrier" photos? I for one would love to see what everybody is using.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from sgaredneck wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

I have hunted from one almost identical to that at a plantation near me. Hunting quail from a mule-drawn wagon is all that.

I desperately need to win the lottery.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from Dave DiBenedetto wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

WisconsinDan, BlackDawgz, etc...If you want to email photos of your dog vehicles I can make a photo gallery (as long as I get more than a couple of pics in total) and post it on the F&S site. Just shoot them to me at mbfcontest@gmail.com.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from blackdawgz wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

OK.

Here it is...

See reader photos.

Blackdawgz

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from Ontario Honker ... wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

I've had a photo of my "dog vehicle" in my profile for a while. It's a '99 Jimmy. As you can see, it's a bit more versatile than for just bird hunting.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from Jeff4066 wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

Our HHR is configured for dogs, and there's much more room than the Honda.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from seadog wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

How many miles does that mule team get to a bale of hay?

+3 Good Comment? | | Report
from Wags wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

I hunt with a couple of jack@$$es, never thought of having them pull a cart!! Seeing how one is just north of 60 (yrs) and the other is just south of it, I doubt I could talk them into it. They probably would both enjoy it if I could come up with one of these though!!

I'm pretty boring.......she just rides on the floorboard of the Silverado.

+3 Good Comment? | | Report
from tbogg10 wrote 2 years 15 weeks ago

haha thats a sweet ride, my dog just rides in the front seat of my truck

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from blackdawgz wrote 2 years 15 weeks ago

Of course I love the idea. But that looks exactly like a trailer to me. With the tongue sticking out the front and no driveshaft in sight, and no place to put an engine. I've seen photos of horse-drawn dawg carriages. But now that you've aroused my interest, I'm gonna share photos of 3 more actual UDV's owned by blackdawgz and you can look farther if ye missed the UDVan. Ye'll not be disappointed. Mebbe starting Thursday AM. Photos are getting copied to disk right now.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from Sourdough Dave wrote 2 years 15 weeks ago

You should see the dedicated dog haulers that show up when we host our leg of the Stage Stop Sled Dog Race that is going on right now. Picture a Duramax diesel flatbed with a 20 dog kennel on board.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from kevin45331 wrote 2 years 15 weeks ago

The only thing it needs are those stupid spinning hubcaps!! Hahahaaaa!!!!

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from blackdawgz wrote 2 years 15 weeks ago

Gonna post another one tomorrow AM. The TOYLET, Classic Hunting Vehicle. UDVan also in photo, along with the long-awaited shot of blackdawgz in the same frame.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from 007 wrote 2 years 14 weeks ago

Might be a bit cold for bear hunting.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from pilsner wrote 2 years 13 weeks ago

Old land rover discovery with rhino lined floors and cargo area.
Im not sure why I bothered rhino-line the CARGO area, since my lab never rides back there. He is much more of a I-ride-shotgun animal, unless the wife is with us in which case he is a I-sit-in-back-seat-with-my-head-right-between-mom-and-dad dog. This was much cuter when he was a 40 lb puppy, now that he is a 110+ lb chunk it has lost some of its appeal.
I tried getting him into the cargo area once but he just looked at me with an "you expect me to ride back there?! uh, no way dad" look. Followed promptly by him jumping into his usual seat up front.
dog 1 dad 0

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from Sallie397 wrote 1 year 43 weeks ago

I this is really a great vehicle which can really be used for many great uses. I have one made by Filigree but its not a common model. Thanks for this great post.

0 Good Comment? | | Report

Post a Comment

from Bella wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

Excellent!, self replicating one burro powered drivetrain uses no gas (but occasionally produces some, in addition to it's standard exhaust product)! Quiet, (except for the braying) nimble, rugged, simple yet customized. Get stuck in the Donner Pass or some other such tribulation and you can eat the burro and burn the wagon! Food and warmth! try that with a SUV! Besides the exhaust is great fertilizer! One other great thing, If you drink too much the Burro still knows the way home!

+3 Good Comment? | | Report
from TJ wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

A wheeler with a dog box is fine for me.

+3 Good Comment? | | Report
from fisherman14 wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

That contraption at the top... Thats one B A ride! And the seats look comfortable...looks good for dogs to. But I have to agree with TJ,: A wheeler with a dog box

+3 Good Comment? | | Report
from seadog wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

How many miles does that mule team get to a bale of hay?

+3 Good Comment? | | Report
from Wags wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

I hunt with a couple of jack@$$es, never thought of having them pull a cart!! Seeing how one is just north of 60 (yrs) and the other is just south of it, I doubt I could talk them into it. They probably would both enjoy it if I could come up with one of these though!!

I'm pretty boring.......she just rides on the floorboard of the Silverado.

+3 Good Comment? | | Report
from BIGGAMECOCK wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

When that Powerball comes through for me (or, coming soon, MegaMillions in SC as well), a Land Rover Defender 90, jump seats removed, dog box in the rear, is the dream. Convertible top, of course. Until then, my '07 Chevy Tahoe with a wire kennel pushed to the left side, all my crap on the right, works pretty well. If I do convince The Boss to let me get another dog, before the baby train comes into the station, we may need a Suburban. I have already crafted my case for it.

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from Sharkfin wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

I can't imagine a better dog vehicle in the world than a pickup truck with a camper top. When I was a kid we had a bunch of beagles and my dad screwed a big plastic tub to the floor of the truck. A little caulk over the screws and it'll hold water. Hose it out and it's good to go.

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from pinopolis wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

now that's a sweet ride!

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from blackdawgz wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

Reckon I'll go out and take a photo of my van when it quits raining. I'm an old engineer and professional welder. I jacked up my '83 1-ton Ford van and slid 1-ton 4WD gear in. 4.10 positraction, C-6, 300/4.9l six, C-6 tranny, original radiator for 6.9l diesel, Dana 50 front diff with 1-ton hubs, IFS. I know the Honda is top quality, but the Ford will pull a house down in low range. Bill and Woofie ride in it and it has a ton of room for other dawgz, but I'only got two right now. Gotta keep 'em dry, too. The weather here will put a dawg into hypothermia in a short time. 33 degrees and raining will suck the heat out of anything. I don't see how the deer and elk survive. Pritch is such a cute li'l chile. I'd hate to see her lookin' like a popsicle.

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from Dave DiBenedetto wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

blackdawgz, Would love to see that beast of a vehicle of yours. -D

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from Brittle wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

amazing, but i don't think i need horses just to got hunting

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from kelmitch wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

I used to hunt a brace and hope to again so it would have to have plenty of room for dogs and for other hunters plus equiptment.The bird hunting here is not what it was in the 80s.My wife says I am stuck there I guess the bird numbers being up here then is a good reason to like those years.The bird hunting is getting to be a drive away so it would have to have comfort for all.An Escalade SUV would have to do I guess.

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from WisconsinDan wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

Wish we could post a pic here. I use my Polaris Ranger with a dog box in back. The ultimate Grouse mobile! pretty good ice fishin too.

+2 Good Comment? | | Report
from WisconsinDan wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

Somebody here should do a story on user submitted "dog carrier" photos? I for one would love to see what everybody is using.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from sgaredneck wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

I have hunted from one almost identical to that at a plantation near me. Hunting quail from a mule-drawn wagon is all that.

I desperately need to win the lottery.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from Dave DiBenedetto wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

WisconsinDan, BlackDawgz, etc...If you want to email photos of your dog vehicles I can make a photo gallery (as long as I get more than a couple of pics in total) and post it on the F&S site. Just shoot them to me at mbfcontest@gmail.com.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from blackdawgz wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

OK.

Here it is...

See reader photos.

Blackdawgz

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from Ontario Honker ... wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

I've had a photo of my "dog vehicle" in my profile for a while. It's a '99 Jimmy. As you can see, it's a bit more versatile than for just bird hunting.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from Jeff4066 wrote 2 years 16 weeks ago

Our HHR is configured for dogs, and there's much more room than the Honda.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from tbogg10 wrote 2 years 15 weeks ago

haha thats a sweet ride, my dog just rides in the front seat of my truck

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from blackdawgz wrote 2 years 15 weeks ago

Of course I love the idea. But that looks exactly like a trailer to me. With the tongue sticking out the front and no driveshaft in sight, and no place to put an engine. I've seen photos of horse-drawn dawg carriages. But now that you've aroused my interest, I'm gonna share photos of 3 more actual UDV's owned by blackdawgz and you can look farther if ye missed the UDVan. Ye'll not be disappointed. Mebbe starting Thursday AM. Photos are getting copied to disk right now.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from Sourdough Dave wrote 2 years 15 weeks ago

You should see the dedicated dog haulers that show up when we host our leg of the Stage Stop Sled Dog Race that is going on right now. Picture a Duramax diesel flatbed with a 20 dog kennel on board.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from kevin45331 wrote 2 years 15 weeks ago

The only thing it needs are those stupid spinning hubcaps!! Hahahaaaa!!!!

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from blackdawgz wrote 2 years 15 weeks ago

Gonna post another one tomorrow AM. The TOYLET, Classic Hunting Vehicle. UDVan also in photo, along with the long-awaited shot of blackdawgz in the same frame.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from 007 wrote 2 years 14 weeks ago

Might be a bit cold for bear hunting.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from pilsner wrote 2 years 13 weeks ago

Old land rover discovery with rhino lined floors and cargo area.
Im not sure why I bothered rhino-line the CARGO area, since my lab never rides back there. He is much more of a I-ride-shotgun animal, unless the wife is with us in which case he is a I-sit-in-back-seat-with-my-head-right-between-mom-and-dad dog. This was much cuter when he was a 40 lb puppy, now that he is a 110+ lb chunk it has lost some of its appeal.
I tried getting him into the cargo area once but he just looked at me with an "you expect me to ride back there?! uh, no way dad" look. Followed promptly by him jumping into his usual seat up front.
dog 1 dad 0

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from Sallie397 wrote 1 year 43 weeks ago

I this is really a great vehicle which can really be used for many great uses. I have one made by Filigree but its not a common model. Thanks for this great post.

0 Good Comment? | | Report

Post a Comment

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