When the weather is nice at the weekend, I like to go on bike rides with the whole family. Of course, our dog shouldn’t be missing either. For short distances he just walks alongside the bike. But if we have a long way to go and don’t want to keep stopping and taking breaks, another solution had to be found. That’s why we went in search of a bike trailer for dogs. Such a trailer is also useful if you have an old or injured dog that cannot walk.
We came across the Doggyhut dog trailer, which is available in three different sizes – medium, XL and XXL. So you will definitely find a suitable trailer for every dog.
Doggyhut is a brand of TIGGO GmbH, a German e-commerce company that sells a wide range of products from furniture to toys and pet supplies.
All Doggyhut dog trailers are very light with a weight of 14 to 17 kilograms and are therefore very comfortable for cycling. The trailer can be converted for jogging with an extension set in just a few simple steps.
Purchase advice – you should think about this before you buy
A healthy dog can also walk next to the bike – I have held this opinion for a long time and I still partly agree with it. For short distances I take my dog with me on foot, so he can really let off steam.
On longer bike tours, however, it becomes tedious at some point to keep stopping because of your four-legged companion. You just don’t get on that well and at some point even the best trained dog can’t do it anymore. People and animals are therefore often happier with a bicycle trailer. And of course there are also old, sick or simply very small dogs that would not be able to walk next to the bike. So that these four-legged friends can also be there, I think a bicycle trailer is ideal.
- Where do you want to ride (rather well-developed cycle paths or gravel/field paths)?
- How big does a trailer have to be for your dog?
- How do I get my dog used to the trailer? (plan enough time!!!)
- What other demands do I have on the trailer (color, frame, suspension, etc.)?
Features of the Doggyhut dog tag
construction and assembly
The construction of the bicycle trailer is quick and easy to learn, even for non-professionals. You don’t need any tools for this.
If you don’t need the trailer, you can simply fold it up and save space when storing it. As soon as the trailer is needed again, you can reassemble it in seconds. I like to use this function, for example, on multi-day bike tours. Many accommodations don’t have that much space, so I fold the transport box up and have more space for myself. In the morning I can quickly put the box back together and drive on.
Security
A stable aluminum frame, an integrated dog leash and a safety belt ensure optimal safety while driving. An anti-slip mat prevents your dog from slipping when braking in the box. Pennants and reflectors attached to all sides of the trailer ensure good visibility in all weather conditions.
Comfort
Convertible mode is especially fun for your dog in summer 🙂
There are nets on all four sides and on the top, which ensure good ventilation and sufficient light. So your dog can look outside at any time and observe the surroundings. The top can be closed so that no rain gets inside. Your darling is protected at all times.
It is also possible to use a kind of convertible mode where your darling can look out of the open roof. Many dogs really enjoy feeling the wind on their head and flapping their ears in the wind. It is particularly important that you have your dog securely leashed in the box. Otherwise it can quickly happen that he simply jumps out of the trailer when he sees other dogs or people, which can be very dangerous, especially at high speeds.
The pneumatic wheels, which cushion rough bumps, ensure a pleasant driving experience. So your dog can enjoy the ride without major disturbances and you don’t have to worry – even if you’re driving on uneven roads.
The Doggyhut dog trailer has different entrances and can therefore be used flexibly. Your dog can get in both from the front and from the back. During breaks, both entrances can be opened if necessary, creating a kind of passageway. This is also very practical when getting used to the bicycle trailer. You can simply put it open in the apartment or in the garden for the first time and your dog will eventually inspect the new object out of curiosity. The two entrances never give you the feeling of being locked in.
Different sizes
The Doggyhut bike trailers are available in three sizes. While the Doggyhut Medium is more suitable for small dogs, the Doggyhut XL and the XXL version are available for larger breeds. So you can find the optimal size for every dog.
As a rule of thumb, your dog must stand upright, lie stretched out and be able to turn around in the trailer. The length of the trailer should be at least the length of the dog plus half the front leg length. The trailer should also be twice as wide as the dog’s shoulders. To determine the correct height, you need to measure the distance between the paw and the tip of the ear. All specifications are the minimum dimensions. Especially with bicycle trailers, it is often more comfortable for the dog if it has more space and can move around more freely. If the trailer is much too big, you should possibly attach padding to the edge and make sure that your dog is well secured and does not fly through the interior of the trailer if you brake sharply.
Cleaning and care
A tub with a washable pad is integrated into the trailer. If your dog cannot hold himself while driving, the urine is collected in the tub and can be poured out at the next stop.
If your dog has been romping around outside during a break, it can quickly happen that its paws have become very dirty. After all, puddles are almost magical for dogs. It’s a good thing that the underlay of the bicycle box can be easily washed. After that it looks like new again.
As a result, maintenance is easy, which is a great advantage, especially with frequent use.
Additional functions
In addition to being used as a bicycle trailer, the structure can also be used as a dog box for the car. To do this, the box only has to be detached from the chassis. Since the Doggyhut hangers are relatively light, lifting them into the car is not a problem either.
With an extension set, the trailer can also be quickly converted so that it can be taken with you when jogging. In this variant, a handle is mounted with which the trailer can be pushed while jogging. So you can have your four-legged friend with you at all times when jogging in the doggy hat dog trailer with jogger.
Customer opinions on the Doggyhut dog trailer
Many customers are enthusiastic about the doggy hat hanger. Above all, the high quality of the materials and the good workmanship as well as the outstanding stability are mentioned in many reviews. The quick assembly and disassembly, the good ventilation and the convertible mode also meet with a lot of goodwill. The pneumatic wheels are also a plus. «Even gravel roads or easy terrain are no problem.»
There was criticism for the initially strong synthetic smell, which, however, evaporated after some time in the fresh air. Some customers also reported problems with the wheel bearings, which occurred after only a short driving time and made it impossible to continue driving.
Conclusion
A bike trailer is very useful for longer bike rides and for old, sick or very small dogs. In this way, humans and animals can have fun and spend time together without one or the other having to accept restrictions.
The Doggyhut bicycle trailer is ideal due to its light weight, stable construction and low maintenance requirements. The convertible mode will probably appeal to most dogs. The flexible application options are particularly practical for people. In addition to being used as a bicycle trailer, the product can also be used as a car transport box or as a dog trolley for jogging.
If you are interested, you can take a closer look at the Doggyhut dog trailers in different sizes under the following links: