🧳Travelling with a Dalmatian: car, crate and rules
Dalmatian : For a dog this size, a roughly 90 cm travel crate or a crash-tested car harness works well. Accustomed early, it travels happily: historically it ran alongside carriages.
In short: Medium-to-large dog of 24 to 32 kg, spotted short coat, very high energy. An enduring, elegant former carriage dog, able to trot for hours at its owner's side. Its distinctive uric acid metabolism, unique among common breeds, predisposes it to urinary stones: a diet moderate in purines and constant access to water are the rule.
In the car with a Dalmatian
At 24 to 32 kg, the only genuinely safe option is a crash-tested crate of about 100 cm secured in the boot — failing that, a solid partition grille. An unrestrained dog of this weight becomes a projectile under braking — and a possible fine for distracted driving.
Trains, planes, holidays
Too big for the cabin, the Dalmatian flies in the pressurised hold in an IATA-approved crate — an ordeal to reserve for unavoidable trips. On trains, a muzzle and lead meet the rules. Plan the habituation: a Dalmatian that eats and naps in its open crate at home will treat it as a den, not a trap.
Identification and good habits
Before any departure, check the trio: microchip, up-to-date vaccines and an EU passport for trips abroad. In warm weather a Dalmatian never stays in a parked car: fifteen minutes is enough for tragedy.
Frequently asked questions
What crate size for a Dalmatian?
About 100 cm long: able to stand without hunching and turn around freely. For flying, check the model’s IATA dimensions.
Can a Dalmatian fly in the cabin?
No, it exceeds the cabin limit (8 kg including the bag): it travels in the pressurised hold in an IATA crate — avoid it when you can.
The guides that apply to you
- Dog ramp or stairs: reaching the car and the sofa without injury
Incline, non-slip surface, maximum load: how to choose a dog ramp or steps suited to the car, the bed or the sofa.
- Car seat cover for dogs: how to choose the right one
Fur, scratches, mud: the back seat takes a beating with a dog on board. What to look for in a genuinely protective cover, and why it's no substitute for a safety harness.
- Going on holiday with your dog: the complete equipment checklist
Transport, documents, first-aid kit, everyday gear: the checklist for going on holiday with your dog, with budgets and the pitfalls of summer and winter alike.
- Dog sick in the car: understanding and beating motion sickness
Drooling, panting, vomiting: motion sickness mainly affects young dogs. Step-by-step habituation, boot setup and gestures that reduce nausea.