Carrying a small dog
#1
Carrying a small dog
Just got a dachshund puppy and want a way to carry her on trips to the store and parks or just around the neighborhood. Fully grown will be 7-8 lbs. I have a Topeak MTX rack on several bikes which will work with a rear basket, so that is a good possibility. Topeak also makes a front basket that would be nice to keep an eye on the pup. However, I was thinking a front basket would be rougher on bumps than a rear basket. What have you used that works well and is easily removed?
https://www.rei.com/product/780119/t...tx-basket-rear
https://www.rei.com/product/780119/t...tx-basket-rear
#2
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Joined: Dec 2012
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From: South Austin, Texas
Bikes: 2010 Origin8 CX700, 2003 Cannondale Backroads Cross Country, 1997 Trek mtn steel frame converted commuter/tourer, 1983 Univega Sportour, 2010 Surly LHT, Others...
My friends w/ small dogs that take them on bike use front baskets. You can keep your eye on your pup while young and interact with your dog while riding. Racktime products are well designed and good values. Owned by same parent company as Tubus. Most of your bikes have midpoint brazeons and cushy tires. Snapit adapter lets you easily remove the entire basket quickly and attaches securely. You can use a small blanket and have room for toys. Make it puppy friendly, maybe add some flowers....
My dog is a female Redbone Coonhound. She weighs about 75lbs and has to run beside me in low traffic situations. On the leash in trafficy situations. She used to ride in a Burley kids trailer when a pup, but no way am I lugging 100lbs behind me so that she can have a free ride.
Racktime Baskit
Racktime Topit Front Rack
My dog is a female Redbone Coonhound. She weighs about 75lbs and has to run beside me in low traffic situations. On the leash in trafficy situations. She used to ride in a Burley kids trailer when a pup, but no way am I lugging 100lbs behind me so that she can have a free ride.
Racktime Baskit

Racktime Topit Front Rack
Last edited by AusTexMurf; 05-31-19 at 02:09 PM. Reason: My dog....
#3
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From: England / CPH
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I carried a dog, my pregnant partner and often picnic stuff in a Christiania box bike (classic) and couldn't recommend it more. However, that was in Copenhagen and the bicycle infrastructure might/might not be adequate for that solution depending on your locale.
I wouldn't recommend a dog in a simple basket as the restricted space wouldn't allow them to move adequately to ensure they arrive happily.
I wouldn't recommend a dog in a simple basket as the restricted space wouldn't allow them to move adequately to ensure they arrive happily.
#4
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From: San Diego, California
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I'd much prefer to have the dog in front to keep an eye on him and you can communicate with him better.
#5
Lucille

Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Texas
My chihuahua rides in a fabric lined front basket just a bit larger than she, but she loves riding there. I agree with others who say it is best for them to ride in front where you can see them. There are larger front baskets for bigger dogs such as the Basil Pasja, but my chi fits in the standard small front basket 10x10x15.
#6
Sound like the front is better. The Racktime looks nice, but having to mount a front rack is not ideal. Any good baskets that mount to the bars only or is that not stable enough? BTW, here’s a picture of the pup, all 3 pounds of her.
#7
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From: Highlands Ranch, CO
Bikes: '13 Diamondback Hybrid Commuter, '17 Spec Roubaix Di2, '17 Spec Camber 29'er, '19 CDale Topstone Gravel
I use both a sling and a cycling specific foam bed secured to the rear rack. Here's a pic of me using both simultaneously to take them to the dogpark... Jack, in the sling, is 11 lbs, and Murphy, 28 lbs, is secured at multiple points, in the rear.
Last edited by Riveting; 05-31-19 at 04:12 PM.
#8
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From: England / CPH
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Wow. Nice photos guys. I must admit that I've never seen dogs in baskets where I live. I see a ton of dogs but mostly walking only.
Thanks for showing me that it's possible should I get a dogs again.
Thanks for showing me that it's possible should I get a dogs again.
#9
Half way there

Joined: Sep 2015
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From: North Carolina
Bikes: Many, and the list changes frequently
I've seen quite a lot of small dogs in baskets, mostly front, but some in the rear. A lot of cyclists with dog trailers as well.
#10
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From: England / CPH
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It is good to know that dogs can go in baskets though for future reference should I move again.
#11
Tried the sling last night for a short ride to a restaurant and it worked, but was kind of hard to pedal. I can definitely say that a front basket would be the best option, because the pup needs to be watched. Should she be clipped in or just sitting there?
#12
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Joined: Dec 2012
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From: South Austin, Texas
Bikes: 2010 Origin8 CX700, 2003 Cannondale Backroads Cross Country, 1997 Trek mtn steel frame converted commuter/tourer, 1983 Univega Sportour, 2010 Surly LHT, Others...
Thinking train early to stay in when told is best way forward. Your dog should stay in the basket even if you get off bike or run in to the store.
Also, start training street smarts and boundaries around streets and traffic immediately.
Lots of walks on the sidewalk with correction and lots of praise for doing what is expected.
Dog (or person) doesn't know what it doesn't know.....
Last edited by AusTexMurf; 06-01-19 at 01:30 PM.
#13
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
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From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Our weiner dog mix fell out of a milk crate on the back of my bike, also out of a car once. I'd like to give him credit for jumping but he was really just trying to see further. Other than that incident, it worked ok. I haven't ridden with him in a long time... I guess not since having kids.
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
#14
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From: Highlands Ranch, CO
Bikes: '13 Diamondback Hybrid Commuter, '17 Spec Roubaix Di2, '17 Spec Camber 29'er, '19 CDale Topstone Gravel
Yeah, my pic was a little misleading. When I'm pedaling, the sling is turned around and the pup is kind of leaning on my back. I'm considering just using a backpack instead.
#17
My one dog freaked once & jumped out of a tricycle. The other jumped out of my pick-up. Both were tied in & got dragged until it was safe to address the situation. Dogs bodies are made of rubber & their noggins are made of rocks. But it only takes once & they'll learn pretty quick.
I probably seem pretty terrible, but life happens & they were wearing harnesses, leashed & buckled in. So it's not like I didn't do my due dilligence.
Don't be scared. Have fun. Riding with your dogs is a blast for them...and you.
#18
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2018
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You and I are clearly on completely different levels when it comes to care for our dogs.
They just bounce.
My one dog freaked once & jumped out of a tricycle. The other jumped out of my pick-up. Both were tied in & got dragged until it was safe to address the situation. Dogs bodies are made of rubber & their noggins are made of rocks. But it only takes once & they'll learn pretty quick.
I probably seem pretty terrible, but life happens & they were wearing harnesses, leashed & buckled in. So it's not like I didn't do my due dilligence.
Don't be scared. Have fun. Riding with your dogs is a blast for them...and you.
My one dog freaked once & jumped out of a tricycle. The other jumped out of my pick-up. Both were tied in & got dragged until it was safe to address the situation. Dogs bodies are made of rubber & their noggins are made of rocks. But it only takes once & they'll learn pretty quick.
I probably seem pretty terrible, but life happens & they were wearing harnesses, leashed & buckled in. So it's not like I didn't do my due dilligence.
Don't be scared. Have fun. Riding with your dogs is a blast for them...and you.
#19
They have a pretty impressive vocabulary & range of learned behaviours when you think about it. I go to friends houses & meet their dogs...Well, they're "nice."
No worries. Dogs are fun. I've had many. As long as they know with out any doubt you are in charge, consistant, loving...They feel secure & needed, there's no end to their capacity. I think a lot of "pet" owners sell them short, but that's none of my business really.
Dogs are relationships.
Last edited by base2; 06-03-19 at 07:30 PM.
#21
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From: Chicagoland
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There's a guy here (and I can't ever remember his name when this comes up) who carries his dog Bailey in a trailer. Bailey seems to like it too, and is safely contained in the trailer. Bailey's driver is mentioned on his avatar, I hope he sees this.
It's [MENTION=6007]2manybikes[/MENTION]
It's [MENTION=6007]2manybikes[/MENTION]
Last edited by no motor?; 06-04-19 at 05:16 PM.
#22
Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2003
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There's a guy here (and I can't ever remember his name when this comes up) who carries his dog Bailey in a trailer. Bailey seems to like it too, and is safely contained in the trailer. Bailey's driver is mentioned on his avatar, I hope he sees this.
It's [MENTION=6007]2manybikes[/MENTION]
It's [MENTION=6007]2manybikes[/MENTION]
Also ~ Jingles the dachshund rides in his dog specific wicker basket with a cage type top cover on the back of his drivers recumbent trike.I'll come back here later, I'll see if I can find those photos too.. Google "Dog bicycle basket.




or other close wording, the basket was bought on line.









