dogs and ferraris

[bordseye]

We now have a 10 month old Springer pup - not the best decision we have ever made but no question that he is a "keeper". I am on the hunt for another Ferrari and my leanings have always been to the mid engined two seaters. But that means at best that its a choice of dog or wife on a trip, and even if I chose the dog, having one sat on a front seat stikes me as dodgy. Or is it - we have an FOC member who drives to meets with his bulldog on the front seat of a 488 spider. Got to wonder what plod would make of that.

The other issue is that we both have a thing about convertibles.

So how do other people tackle this issue - we cant be alone in having a dog, and it isnt always easy to find someone who will look after the dog at weekends in particular.

Does anyone take their dog in a Cali. And if so what size dog is it? And how does soft Italian leather stand up to a dog?

[m4tti]

Range Rover. Get the dog up high and in a crate. He deserves to travel safely.

[MDL111]

I mainly take the FF when with my dog as with the seats down he has plenty of space to move left/right and find the best spot to lay down (fixed with the lead to the rear luggage strap thing).
Occasionally he has to come in the Scud, although try to avoid that as it is too loud for him. I then tie him to the seat back so he cant hit anything when I have to brake.
Dog is a pinscher, c 18-20kg and knee high

[jtremlett]

I can't see the issue other than space. It is no different to having a child in the car. Dog has her harness on and it plugs into the seatbelt attachment. If both dog and passenger then dog goes in the passenger footwell or on the passenger's lap - although clearly that wouldn't work with a big dog or for longer trips.

[JW82]

We've got a doggie seat belt harness which attaches around the dog's torso and neck comfortably and then clips in to the seat belt as normal. I've never had an issue without this but my wife did a few times and the policemen both said she needed to get a harness in order for the dog to sit on the front seat of any car. We even use it in other cars as it's just easier to know the dog won't roll around so it is safer for everyone.

My seats are part alcantara / mesh webbing so I put down a picnic rug which she likes to sit on when she's not poking her head out the window

[bordseye]

Thats a really interesting reply. You have at least confirmed that its OK to travel with a dog in the front passenger seat provided the dog has a harness and is clipped into the seat belt system. Which as it happens is what we do with him in the back seat of the family car.

I can see the dog in the photo but he/she looks like a cavalier king charles which is quite a bit smaller than a Springer - actually a Springer poodle cross, 18kg and 50cm collar to root of tail. What model is your car? Does it have any more space being a hard top.

So yes it is a space issue. The cars I have been looking at are both a 360 spider and a california

Edited by bordseye on Monday 29th April 11:02

[F355GTS]

I use the FF when I have the dog, 30kg Black lab is realistically too big to sit on the front seat of the 458

[JW82]

Good spot, she's a cavalier king charles. Mine is a 458 speciale coupe but imagine space is similar in a 488 too.

I had a 2011 California a while back and did the same with the dog, front seat with a harness and a little rug for grip on the seat / to protect the leather etc. We tried the back seat in that once and it just didn't work. If your dog is a lot bigger then front seat might be best option. The police never really kicked off to be fair so I'm not 100% sure on the exact legality of a dog in the front seat. They found it more amusing than they did a driving offence!

[bordseye]

Do you remember why the Cali back seat didnt work? My wife wouldnt fit in the back seat so putting the dog in the front seat wouldnt work either.

By the way, I'm thinking a bit downmarket of you - either a Cali or a 360 spider

[jtremlett]

F355GTS said:

I use the FF when I have the dog, 30kg Black lab is realistically too big to sit on the front seat of the 458

That's smaller than you though and you fit on the front seat of a 458!!!

[bordseye]

sure but you dont coil up on your side when you use a seat but the dog does.

[F355GTS]

jtremlett said:

that's smaller than you though and you fit on the front seat of a 458!!!

good point

[Allandwf]

Have you had a Springer before? We have had two, they are nuts, it will be bouncing all over the place every time you come to a halt. Two Bassets after them, they are much more car friendly, but we also went with a Range Rover as the dog car.

[Dinoboy]

Allandwf said:

Have you had a Springer before? We have had two, they are nuts, it will be bouncing all over the place every time you come to a halt. Two Bassets after them, they are much more car friendly, but we also went with a Range Rover as the dog car.

This, we have a cocker spaniel and when you stop the car they get very excited about getting out. By the time you've walked round to the passenger door, leant in and undone the seatbelt all sorts of carnage may have taken place.

[bordseye]

Dont have that problem with him either in the Merc saloon or my wife's little Smart roadster. In fact in the Merc he simply curls up and goes to sleep on the back seat. He does go nuts when he gets out though.

[j3gme]

Can’t fit mine in...

Edited by j3gme on Monday 29th April 22:12

[Ingenere]

My Newfies love Ferraris! And a big IndyCar fan and team owner!

[red_slr]

My bostons (now passed away) have been in every car I have owned incl 911 etc and the only car they would not settle in was the 355. Too loud I think. We tried a couple of times, just short trip but decided it was not worth the stress for them. Any other car, sniff, look out the window for 2 minues then curl up in a ball and sleep until the car stops.

[anonymous-user]

Bit in the same league but I regularly had my wife and my staffy in my Elise a few years back.

Was it super comfortable? Nope, but we did 250 miles a few times

[red_slr]