10 Best Travel Dog Breeds For Healthcare Professionals

Tons of travel healthcare professionals love to bring their beloved pooches along for the ride, but not every dog breed is great for the open road. Breed size, temperament, trainability and need for exercise are all important factors to consider.

To help you narrow down your choices, we’ve created a list of the top 10 best travel dog breeds by comparing data and information across many pet health and lifestyle web sources. We also refined our list by considering factors unique to healthcare travelers that could affect the health and happiness of your furry friend.

For example, we took border collies off our list because their high-energy nature can be a bad match for busy solo travelers who may not have the time to work off that energy.

When you’re looking over this list, keep in mind these are not the only dogs who can travel well. Every dog is different, so it’s very possible you find a mutt, mixed breed or alternative breed dog that happens to be the perfect travel companion.

If you have questions about how to travel safely with your pet, make sure to check out our Pet Travel guide for quick tips!

10 Best Travel Dog Breeds

1. Chihuahua

The “gold standard” for portable pups, Chihuahuas are compact enough to fit in a large bag anywhere you go. They also have very low exercise and food needs, so you won’t have to worry about bringing along big bags of food or hiring dog walkers very often.  If you want small, you can’t go wrong with a Chihuahua.

2. Labrador Retriever

Labrador retrievers are happy and ready for adventure. This breed has plenty of energy to happily follow you on the hiking trail and loves to explore. Most importantly, labs are very easy and obedient to train, meaning they won’t destroy your rental while you’re working those 12-hour shifts.

3. Pomeranian

In terms of travel convenience, Pomeranians are basically fluffy Chihuahuas. Their super-compact size means they are ready to go anywhere in a moderately sized bag, and they are just as loyal and affectionate as their less poofy brethren. Shedding is obviously a downside of breeds with thicker hair, so plan to brush your Pom on a regular basis to weed out excess hairs before they end up everywhere.

4. Boston Terrier

Boston terriers are adaptable and friendly. With a gentle, happy-go-lucky temperament, Boston terriers are great car-ride companions and want to tag along with you no matter where you’ll move.

As a snubnose breed, it’s not recommended to take Boston Terriers on any planes. Becuase of their narrow airways they can asphyxiate at high altitudes.

5. Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise’s have easy-going and sassy personalities—perfect for dishing about all the stuff that happened after a crazy shift. Like the Boston Terrier, this breed is also quite adaptable and comfortable around new people.

6. Great Dane

You’ll have to make some room for your massive Great Dane, but what they lack in compact size they make up for with their loving temperament and gentle nature. Despite a large frame, Great Danes actually need very little exercise to stay healthy. Combine that with minimal grooming needs and you have a large, loveable and low-stress travel companion.

7. Yorkshire Terrier

One of the benefits of owning a Yorkshire Terrier, other than their compact size, is their tendency towards sociability. Yorkshires are one of a handful of breeds that do very well in urban environments with lots of other dogs and owners, which is great for travelers who want to stick with metropolitan areas and larger hospitals.

8. Dachshund

If RV travel is your method of choice, you can’t go wrong with a Dachshund. An inquisitive breed, Dachshunds form strong bonds with their owners and make great guard dogs. Just like the other small breeds on the list, they are compact, low maintenance and ready to accompany you anywhere.

Keep in mind this breed is a bit more territorial of their owners and less tolerant of curious youngsters, so they are not recommended for travelers with children.

9. Golden Retriever

Opposite from Dachshunds, Golden Retrievers are the perfect family dog and an all-around great first pet. They are eager to make friends with every new person they meet, which makes them a great tagalong for outdoor activities and social events. Just like their Labrador cousins, they are also very easy to train.

Goldens do like to enjoy more open spaces and they may not do as well in urban environments.

10. French Bulldog

A very trainable breed, French Bulldogs are just as happy playing around as they are lounging all day. Their laid-back attitude and low maintenance grooming and exercise needs mean they are great for long drives and in most living situations.

As a snubnose breed like the Boston Terrier, French Bulldogs should not fly on planes. Stick to car travel with this dog.