The right dog carrier depends on how you travel, not on the dog. A carrier for the plane, a carrier for the trail, a carrier for the car, and a carrier for the walk that ran long are four different objects. Buy the one for the trip you actually take.
This is the hub for dog carriers on Pet Approves. Types first, then the deep guides.
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The six types of dog carrier
| Type | Dog size | Trip | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backpack | Up to 50 lbs, some larger | Hikes, bikes, city walks | Dog backpack carriers |
| Airline soft-sided | Under 16 to 20 lbs | Flights, under the seat | Below |
| Sling or front pack | Under 15 lbs | Puppies, errands | Below |
| Rolling | Under 25 lbs | Airports, long terminals | Below |
| Car seat or crate | Any | Every drive | Below |
| Stroller | Small and senior | Long walks the dog cannot finish | Dog strollers |
Backpack dog carriers
K9 Sport Sack Air 2
The carrier for the trip where you both walk until one of you cannot. Enclosed bags for small dogs, legs-out bags like the K9 Sport Sack for medium dogs, and framed hiking packs like the Ruffwear Hitch Hiker up to 40 pounds. Our dog backpack carrier guide sorts twelve by the dog’s weight.
Airline approved dog carriers
Sherpa Original Deluxe Airline Carrier
Airline approved means it fits under the seat and the dog can stand and turn inside. Every airline prints its own limit, and it changes, so check the airline the week you fly. Sherpa’s Original Deluxe is the benchmark, with the Guaranteed On Board program behind it. Henkelion makes the budget version. The PetAmi backpack in the carrier guide is airline sized too.
Note: soft-sided carriers squash down an inch or two to fit. Hard carriers do not. For the cabin, soft.
Slings and front carriers
Outward Hound PupPak Front Carrier
For a puppy or a toy breed on an errand. A sling is a padded shoulder bag the dog sits in. A front pack is a legs-out carrier on your chest, like the Outward Hound PupPak for dogs up to 20 pounds or the Pawaboo in the backpack guide. Both keep your hands free and the dog off hot pavement.
Rolling dog carriers
Ruff Life 101 Rolling Dog Carrier
A soft carrier on luggage wheels with a pull handle. Ruff Life 101 and Paw Ballet make airline-approved ones that expand for the hotel room, and Sherpa’s rolling carrier is the classic. Great in a terminal, useless on grass. If the trip is airport to hotel, wheels. If it is anywhere else, a backpack.
Car seats and travel crates
JOEJOY Dog Car Booster Seat
A booster car seat lifts a small dog to window height and clips to the harness. JOEJOY and PETICON make memory-foam boosters for dogs up to about 35 pounds, and Conlun’s has a steel frame. The clip to the harness is the part that matters in a stop.
Amazon Basics Folding Dog Crate
For a bigger dog, a collapsible soft crate. Amazon Basics’ folding crate has two doors and packs flat, and ZOMISIA makes a 36-inch for large dogs. A crated dog in the back is safer for the dog and for you. The best SUVs for dogs guide covers the vehicle side.
Dog strollers
For the senior dog that still wants the walk, or the small dog on a long day out. Our dog stroller guide covers single and double strollers and the under-$50 question.
How to size a dog carrier
- Weigh the dog today.
- Measure back length, collar to base of tail. Legs-out backpacks size by this.
- Measure height at the shoulder for enclosed carriers. The dog must stand inside.
- Measure chest girth for slings and front packs.
- Add nothing. A carrier that is too big lets the dog slide and is more dangerous than a snug one.
Every carrier here clips to a harness, not a collar. Give it a few nights before deciding whether the pet approves the size. A nervous rider does better with a familiar blanket inside and, for some dogs, a calming treat an hour before. A working dog in a service dog vest rides outside the carrier on most airlines, and the vest guide covers the rules.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best dog carrier?
For flying, Sherpa Original Deluxe. For hiking, Ruffwear Hitch Hiker. For a medium dog around town, K9 Sport Sack. For a puppy, Outward Hound PupPak.
What size carrier does my dog need?
Long enough to lie down, tall enough to stand. Measure, then buy the size the maker’s chart says. Do not size up.
Can a dog carrier go under an airplane seat?
Soft-sided ones sized for it, yes. Check the airline’s dimensions and weight limit before you buy, and again before you fly.
Are dog backpack carriers safe?
When the dog fits and the harness is clipped inside. The backpack guide covers the weight limits by bag.
How do I get my dog used to a carrier?
Leave it open on the floor with treats for a few days, so the pet approves the space before the first real trip. Short trips first. Praise on the way out, not the way in.
Gunner Vance