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UPDATED : FEBRUARY 2025 Following a new round of testing,we’ve updated this review to include the Tavo Maeve Pet Protection System and the Kong Ultimate Car Safety Seat |
Bringing your new puppy home is an exciting time! But amidst the joy, it's crucial to ensure a safe and comfortable journey.
Most vets recommend 8 weeks as the ideal age for puppies to leave their litter and join their forever families.
However, transporting a wriggling bundle of fur can present unique challenges.
This guide provides essential information on safely transporting your puppy in the car, offers you various options and provides some valuable tips to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable experience for both of you.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
  4. Best Dog Car Seat - Kong
  5. Luxury Dog Car Seat - Luther Bennett
  7. Value Metal Dog Crate - Ellie–Bo
Our Advice for Bringing a Puppy Home
Ultimately, how you bring your puppy home in the car for the first time is up to you, but obviously you will want to keep your puppy and the rest of your family as safe as possible.
Some breeders may discuss how they want you to take your puppy home and will only release the puppy to you if they are happy that your new puppy will be safe and secure.
It may well be worth checking ahead of time with your breeder - you don't want surprises on Gotcha Day!
Ideally collecting a puppy from the breeder is not a solo mission, it’s a really sensible idea to take someone with you. A friend or family member can then provide the much needed reassurance for your puppy, leaving you to can concentrate on the driving.
Plus, your puppy will begin to bond to the people they encounter early on, so this is a great opportunity to start bonding whilst you bring your new puppy home.
You also want to make the experience as relaxing as possible so they are comfortable going on car rides in the future.
Barking or crying is normal for a puppy during this new and potentially stressful experience, so you simply reassure them calmly.
To help you decide how to transport your pup, let's take a look at the best options.
Best Options for
Bringing your Puppy Home in the Car
1. Best Value Soft Car Crate
AmazonBasics
The first thing to say is that a soft, fabric dog crate is an ideal solution for travel. These crates confine the puppy in a cosy den-like space to help them snooze the journey away, whilst providing some views and air circulation through mesh windows.
Most have large top openings, so you can reach in and reassure your pup should they become anxious. In the event of a crash they offer more protection than a cardboard box or your lap and ultimately they are considerably less distracting to the driver. So it's win-win.
Our top pick is the AmazonBasics Premium Folding Soft Dog Crate. It's a great value and nicely designed soft crate with a strong PVC frame so it can hold its shape whilst you're on the move.
Extremely lightweight you can carry it to and from the car. We love the large mesh windows on all sides which have been designed to ensure maximum ventilation to reduce the chance of dog car sickness which is unfortunately quite common in puppies.
The windows also ensures that you and your puppy can see each other at all times.
Better still, the large top opening along with the front 'door' provide very easy access for you to keep puppy calm throughout your journey.
The crate's fabric can be hand-washed in case of the odd accident and the crate even includes a cosy fleece mat for comfort.
Padded carry handles, and several storage pockets complete the thoughtful design and if you're not keen on the black, don't worry it's available in a range of five colours.
Available in a wide range of 5 sizes from the smallest at 53cm to a whopping 107cm.
Our Verdict - One of your cheaper options, we recommend this premium soft dog crate from Amazon as it ticks all the boxes at a very reasonable price. |
2. Premium Soft Dog Car Crate
Morpilot Pet Carrier
Our second recommendation for you is this super stylish pet carrier from Morpilot. It's a great alternative to the AmazonBasics soft crate.
It has padded carry handles along with an additional shoulder strap to make light work of transporting puppy.
Made from polyester, the base is strengthened with a support board to help maintain its shape whilst being moved. The side walls are padded and the front and back walls unzip to open fully for easy access.
What's more, the stylish design incorporates mesh windows on the top and sides to improve ventilation and visibility.
The carrier does include a couple of thoughtful extras including a washable fluffy mat for comfort and a collapsible water bowl.
We feel that the only downside to this stylish designed soft crate is the limited sizes available. There are two options, both of which are small and only suitable for puppies or small breed dogs.
So whilst it may be perfect for the initial journeys, a larger breed puppy will probably outgrow it quickly.
It could be really useful for vet visits and socialisation trips before puppy is fully vaccinated. Available in a black, blue and purple.
  3. Pet Protection System
Tavo Maeve
If your puppy will have a more extravagant lifestyle than you do (think designer beds, chauffeured rides, and a wardrobe that rivals your own), then Tavo Pets might be right up your alley.
Undeniably luxurious, it has a focus on comfort and safety that borders on the obsessive.
Their flagship product, the Maeve Pet Protection System, is a game-changer for pet travel, seamlessly combining a cosy bed, a convenient carrier, and a super secure car seat. Plus when used with the Roscoeâ„¢ stroller frame, it's a pet stroller.
The Maeve car seat is like a cocoon for your puppy. When the canopy is closed and the additional Side Impact Protection cover is in place, there's no safer place for your puppy.
We adore the simplicity of this system for transporting puppies as they often suffer with anxiety in cars, and let's face it wrestling with a harness can be a real struggle.
The Maeve eliminates this hassle, allowing puppies to relax and settle in comfortably without the need for any additional restraints.
Designed in a range of stunning colours, the Maeve comes with not one but two machine washable liners and mattress sets making a cosy car bed for your dog.
The canopy has been meticulously designed with both style and safety in mind. Fully flexible, it can be opened at either end with a mesh section for ventilation and a peek-a-boo slot too so you can keep an eye on your furry friend.
The Maeve car seat is available in 5 stylish colours - Onyx (shown here), Merle, Fawn, Brindle and Sable, sounds like a Farrow & Ball paint chart !
When you reach your destination, the Maeve car seat seamlessly transitions into a stroller when attached to the Roscoe chassis.
Our Verdict - Whilst the Tavo Maeve will be out of reach of most people's pockets, it's a beautifully designed and engineered 3-in-1 travel system. It provides unparallelled peace of mind and could offer value for money for small breed dogs who can utilise the car seat from puppyhood to adulthood. |
Ready to jump in and check out the Maeve Pet Protection system for yourself? Head over to Tavo Pets available at Halfords now!
Save 10% with discount code TAVO10-HAL
4. Best Dog Car Seat
Kong
Dog car seats are a great way of not only keeping your dog in one place within the car, but in some cases their raise bases can help avoid travel sickness as your dog enjoys a better view.
The Ultimate Dog Safety Seat from Kong is an absolute gem. It's sumptuously soft with a pillowy base encased in huge bolsters creating a safe and secure place for your dog to relax while you travel.
The soft, raised bolsters also offer a comforting headrest, perfect for anxious pups or those seeking a cosy spot to rest.
In testing we felt that the outer fabric was hard wearing (it has a denim look and feel about it which we liked) and should stand up to everyday use well. The inner material is soft and inviting and both have a really smart quilted finish.
You'll be glad to know that the covers are removable and machine washable on a cool wash.
Let's talk safety!
This dog seat has been designed and engineered around the integral Kong Ultimate Safety Tether.
The tether plugs into the corresponding ISOFIX fitting points in your car, removing the need to use the car's seat belts to secure it.
The Ultimate Safety Tether includes a 360 swivel attachment to attach to your dog's harness. This plus the anti-slip base, all add up to a very secure and safe dog car seat.
Kong recommend their car seat for dogs up to 12 kg. We initially thought it appeared on the small side, however our testers loved resting their head on the bolsters rather than curling up in the base.
Our Verdict -Â Beautifully made and designed, the NEW Kong Ultimate Dog Car Seat really impressed us. Incredibly safe as it utilises the ISOFIX system and comes with an integral tether. But it doesn't end there. It looks and feels like a properly premium car seat with large soft bolsters and a stylish quilted finish. |
Designed here in the UK and available from Dog Gear
with FREE Shipping on all orders
5. Luxury Dog Car Seat
Luther Bennett
If you’re prepared to fork out a little more on a car seat, then take a look at Luther Bennett. The ultimate in luxury dog travel, they offer a safe journey and transform into a sumptuous dog bed when you reach your destination.
Sitting directly on the seat the Dog Pod isn't elevated as such, but the base is well padded offering your pup a slightly elevated position and a better view of their surroundings.
The front and back walls are high which can make anxious pups feel more secure, whilst lower sides help with ventilation and better still offer a great view of the road ahead.
Super strong handles help you carry to the car and then two adjustable straps secure it to your car seat.
The latest, newly launched Dog Pod 2.0 comes with ISOFIX fittings for even more stability.
It's also worth noting that two adjustable dog seat belt tethers are included with Luther Bennett car seats so if your pup already has a harness - you're good to go.
Available in a range of gorgeous colours, the bed is machine washable, however a wipe down with a dampened cloth usually does the trick.
Smart Bark readers can enjoy £10 OFF the Luther Bennett range
Discount automatically applied at checkout
Not found the car seat you're looking for ? We test and review 10 of the best dog car seats and boosters available in the UK in our popular article Best Dog Car Seats 2025
6. Luxury Metal Dog Crate
Thule Allax
If you're looking to invest in a long term solution, then we would recommend looking into a metal crate for your boot. We have two different designs for you to consider depending on your car and boot size.
Thule are renowned for offering high quality travel solutions, and their dog crate is no exception. Launched January 2024, their Allax dog crates are the crème de la crème of car dog crates, uniquely designed and well built.
As you'd expect from Thule, the Allax dog crate has been rigorously crash tested in their Thule Test Center where they recreated rear-end collisions, front collisions and even roll-over scenarios.
The innovative crumple zone is designed to provide superior protection for both passengers and your dog in the case of an accident. So it's fair to say that this dog crate ensures that both you and your dog are as safe as possible.
Available in 10 different sizes to suit your car and your dog. Whilst not the cheapest option available, it is undeniably the safest.
Interested in learning more ? Read our deep dive - Crash Tested Confidence: Thule Dog Crate Review
7. Value Metal Dog Crate
Ellie-Bo
Known for their simple, durable and well designed crates, Ellie-Bo offer the best value crates on the UK market.
Their sloping range designed specifically for car boots, comes with a non-chew removable tray for easy cleaning and a soft fleece mat.
These crates also fold flat for easy storage when not being used.
Both the Ellie-Bo standard and deluxe sloping crates have a full set of measurements available online so you can check that your chosen crate will comfortably fit your boot before ordering.
There are three sizes available so there should be a suitable option depending on car size and puppy size.
Ellie-Bo feature in our popular article - Best Dog Crates & Accessories
8. Laying on your Lap
Cuddles
Many people, for understandable reasons, simply want to cuddle their new puppy on their lap. Just be aware that this is by no means the safest option for the puppy in the event of a crash and can so easily cause the driver to become distracted.
If you decide to do this, then definitely sit in the back of the car where it's obviously much safer for puppy and is less of a distraction for your driver.
For some measure of control, we'd strongly recommend fitting your puppy with a harness or collar and a lead. You will then have something to grab quickly, as puppies can easily cause all sorts of issues if they manage to escape their cardboard box.
If you find that the collar you've brought with you is too big, simply unclip it, twist it around once or twice and refit it. It's not ideal but it's a temporary solution to the problem.
Also consider how you want to protect your car seats from the inevitable accidents.
You could consider investing in a car seat cover to protect your seats. We test and review a range of the best car seat covers available in our popular article - Best Car Seat Covers
Consider comfort and how to minimise the impact of puppy accidents. Place a blanket on your lap, if you have something with mum's scent on, this would be perfect to help calm your puppy as this can be an anxious time for them.
Ideally you need to look for a blanket that's easy to clean, comfy, warm and waterproof to protect yourself and of course your car seats.
We think that this reversible, super cosy blanket from Lesure definitely ticks all the boxes. It features warm, cream coloured Sherpa on one side and a velvety, soft grey microfibre fleece on the other.
Plus this dog blanket can stand up to some rough treatment. It has a waterproof inner layer which is urine and drool-proof, meaning that it stops liquid from seeping through.
This feature makes it a great option for puppies, crate training, and protecting surfaces - like your lap.
Easy to clean it can be machine washed in cold water and tumble dried at low temperature.
Suitable for a variety of breeds, it comes in four sizes: small, medium, large and extra large - which will completely cover your back seat or your sofa!
9. Puppy Harness
Car Safe Harness
A harness is generally considered to be the safest choice of car restraint for dogs but may not necessarily be the right choice for your first car journey.
Choose a comfortable harness with plenty of padding for their delicate puppy frame, as poorly made harnesses can rub. Once your dog is fitted with the harness, the harness then attaches to your car’s seat belt system with a tether.
So if it's so safe, why haven't we featured this option in first place ?
The main disadvantage of opting for a harness for the initial journey home is that your young pup won’t be accustomed to it, and may become distressed whilst wearing the harness.
So you need to weigh up the safety offered by a harness with the possible distress it may cause.
If you do choose a harness, we recommend the Car Safe harness.
This harness from Car Safe is fully certified crash tested. In testing we found it incredibly easy to fit with two side release clips and then it simply connects to your car seat belt.
From the fitting, straps, breathable mesh to the stitching, the design and materials are top quality.
The chest plate is extra padded for comfort and the straps are wide so don't dig in. The harness also has a D ring on the front and back, so you can connect your lead and head off for a walk when you reach your destination.
Available in four sizes with a handy sizing guide available online, it takes into account the chest, neck and the weight of your dog to help you select the best fit.
Our verdict - A well designed, easy to fit and safe car harness |
FAQs
What to bring when you collect your puppy?
Be prepared for any eventuality. We suggest taking the following -
blankets for comfort
some newspaper if you use your lap or box
paper towels for cleaning
poo bags for any accidents
collar and lead
water bottle and a treat
How do I make my Puppy's first journey stress free ?
Although it's tempting, try not to let children or adults handle your puppy too much if they're nervous. Hopefully your puppy will sleep for most of the journey as this is a tiring and stressful time for them.
Keep your car well ventilated this should reduce the chance of travel sickness.
If you must stop on the way home be very careful where you place puppy on the ground. As your puppy isn't vaccinated yet, carry them to a remote area before placing on the ground. Don't forget to scoop the poop especially as new puppies poop can contain parasites.
What time of day is best to collect a puppy ?
Consider collecting your puppy in the morning so you arrive home during daylight, this allows you to spend time together before the first bedtime comes around.
We hope this review helps you make an informed decision about how to bring your puppy home.
Have a wonderful time with your new puppy from the Smart Bark team!
