With vanlife comes fun, excitement and adventure. You have the whole world on your doorstep, so why not bring a pooch into the mix? Whilst vanlife contributes many positive attributes into your life, it can also bring a lack of routine, less security and a reduced living space, all of which are not ideal factors when it comes to owning a dog.

But don’t hang up those dog leads just yet, because we’re here to tell you it is possible! There are just more things to consider. If your heart is set on one day owning a van or perhaps you already have the van and are hoping to welcome the pitter patter of four tiny paws, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are some key factors for you to consider before introducing a dog into vanlife. 

What type of environment will you be in?

Arguably one of the most important factors is to think about the type of environment you’re going to be in the majority of the time. Will you be surrounded by beaches, mountains, cities or forests? Not all dog types are suitable for all habitats, for example, dogs who require lots of exercise and have lots of energy are not a good match for city life and  thrive in more rural and less crowded areas. If you are more likely to be in the mountains and bigger emptier areas, an energetic dog may be the right fit for you.

Planning on kickin it on warm sandy beaches, surfing the waves? Then you may opt for a small/medium sized breed that will fit on your surfboard or paddleboard.In these environments there will likely be a lot more people and dogs around and as you can imagine a bigger dog can be intimidating to children or people who have a fear of dogs. Plus bigger dogs don’t tend to manage the heat as well as a small/medium sized pooch. 

For those who enjoy the hustle and bustle of city life, you may be more suited to a less energetic, medium-sized/small dog. The type of dog that is happy to simply potter through the town with you, greeting strangers with a tail wag before heading back to the van for a nap.

If long hikes and climbing mountains is your thing, you will need a dog who can keep up. Your four legged friend would need to have an abundance of energy. These are usually your medium sized breeds such as collies, labradors and vizslas. 

Does size matter?

Absolutely! If you own or are considering owning a Volkswagon Transporter and dream of owning a Newfoundland, it may be time to come up with a new plan. Or perhaps you have a huge van but have little floor space? Then you may need to consider opting for a smaller breed, unless you’re planning to be outdoors the majority of the day. 

Living in a van can be difficult with a large dog, not just for the dog but for you. Realistically the dog is going to spread out wherever it finds space, whether that’s the bed or the van floor, leaving you feeling like a spare part in your own home.

If you own an American skoolie and have an abundance of floor space, then a larger breed might be able to squeeze into your life without it feeling like so much of a, well…squeeze. 

Room for one more? If you are planning to have the dog sleeping in the same bed as you, just make sure the bed is big enough for both of you, or you might have trouble sleeping. 

Children in the family?

If you are planning to be in the city or a beachy area, the most important thing to look out for in a dog is if they are good with children. Especially if you have children yourself. 

Plan to spend most of your time hiking up mountains and living off-grid? Then this will matter less, however, if you do choose a breed that is slightly more skittish, jumpy or grumpy, then it is advisable that you keep your dog on a lead at all times. 

The most popular family friendly breeds would be labradors, golden retrievers, mutts (mixed breeds), poodles, setters and vizslas. 

Will my dog be safe?

Pre-dogs, most vanlifers relish the moment they park up in a beautiful spot and throw open the doors to enjoy the scenery and fresh air, with a dog this takes a bit more thought.

Well trained dogs who are used to this lifestyle will likely be fine, but if you’re getting a puppy or an untrained dog you will need to take extra care that your dog doesn’t disappear into the distance.

Many people solve this issue with a child gate in front of the door. The other option is to ensure that your dog is tethered inside the van before opening the door.

You will also need to ensure that dangerous and fragile items are out of reach, locked away in cupboards and placed up on shelves. 

Another aspect that may come along with owning a dog in the van is leaving your dog alone in the van. Some worry about temperatures, others worry about the lack of security. There are many different options and tools you could use to help you feel more relaxed when nipping to the shop. For example, some dog owners opt for a camera inside the van which connects through to your phone and you are notified everytime there is movement. Extra door locks can be installed and you could hide away a tracker in one of the cupboards or underneath a floorboard. 

Temperature wise, when a van is properly insulated it will not only keep the cold out, it will also keep the heat out too. Make sure your dogs have plenty of water, open up the roof vent to allow in plenty of air and keep the curtains closed to keep direct sunlight and heat from coming in. 

Puppy or adult?

Now for the great debate…Puppy or adult? This decision is by far the most important and requires a lot of careful thought. Whilst some like the idea of buying a brand new shiny puppy and moulding it’s whole life, this option isn’t always the best choice. Searching for a suitable and ethical breeder is becoming increasingly difficult in this day and age. Unless you have a family member or friend that you can trust, you can never be 100% sure that you’re purchasing from a reputable breeder. It’s also important to remember that there are plenty of puppies within the UK and throughout Europe that are looking for a loving home. Rescue centres receive puppies who are only a number of weeks old. 

Putting ethics aside, having a puppy is extremely hard work. You will constantly be woken up in the night, they are often known as tiny sharks due to their sharp fangs and appetite for pinching and nibbling on their owners skin, and do not come fully trained. They will not only use you as a chew toy, but likely will turn to your furniture too. Mix together all these issues and place them into a small space and the issues can appear magnified. 

The good news is there are a number of pros to bringing home a small puppy. First being they take up little space (just make sure that you check what size they will be, to make sure they fit in the van fully grown.), as a vanlifer you’re going to naturally be spending more time outside, which should make the toilet training that bit easier. 

If you are planning on getting a puppy, here are the main things for you to consider:

Before you agree to buy a puppy from a breeder, make sure you have met both the mother and the father of the puppy. The main reason for this is to ensure they’re not from a puppy farm or breed in unethical circumstances. Another reason is some dogs are born aggressive and like with humans, it can be passed on to their pups, so it’s a good way to get an idea of what genetic personality traits your puppy may possess.

Remember, puppies chew on EVERYTHING, so you’re going to want to keep important stuff like papers, clothes and shoes on high shelves or in boxes somewhere secure. 

If you are getting a brand new puppy it’s most likely it won’t be house trained yet, so you are going to want to let the puppy out as much as possible, and keep in mind, as much as possible means once every 2-3 hours, even at night. 

Puppies are playful and love to play fight so if the pup bites or nibbles at you, just ignore it and if it doesn’t stop be calm and patient. This can be harder in a small space and may require you to simply leave the van for 30 seconds before re-entering calmly. 

If you are taking on an untrained puppy, please make sure you have done all of the research on the breed and the training techniques. Please just be calm and patient or your dog could end up feeling your frustration and become aggressive.  

Looking to rescue?

Most rescues will give you all the information you need but it’s important to know that you may never have the full background. Whilst some rescue dogs may have been brought in by a family that’s circumstances have simply changed, many rescue dogs have had a troubled past which may include cruelty, abandonment and neglect. The younger the dog, the less likely it will have been deeply affected by past issues, for example puppies are often found abandoned roadside, usually by breeders who have not been able to sell them – it’s unlikely they will remember this and have deep rooted issues due to them being so young. 

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks but this is not true. Whilst it can be more difficult to change bad habits, it certainly is not impossible. If you are planning on adopting a rescue, it won’t be difficult to find one that is already house trained, but you will still have patience, as they will certainly be less adaptable than a puppy. Before you apply for a dog make sure you have read all the information about the dog to avoid any surprises later down the line. 

You may find that some rescue agencies are not open to accepting your application due to you living in a van, these are mainly the higher profile rescue charities. Try smaller non profit organisations, who are able to focus more on the type of life the dog will have. 

So what breed is right for me?

To get you kickstarted on your search for the perfect companion, we have detailed a selection of breeds, all of which could be suitable for vanlife depending on your lifestyle.

Energetic breeds

Border Collie 

• Highly intelligent, making them easier to train than other breeds.
• Very energetic and playful
• Lover of cuddles
• High hunt drive (Likely to chase rodents, sheep and cows unless trained not to.)

Australian Shepherd 

• Highly intelligent, making them easier to train than other breeds.
• Energetic but calmer than border collies
• High hunt drive (Likely to chase rodents, sheep and cows unless trained not to.)
• Lover of cuddles

Australian Kelpie 

• Can be harder to train
• Love the water
• Extremely alert
• Split energy levels (can be lazy one minute and bouncing up and down the next)
• Very High hunt drive (Likely to chase rodents, sheep and cows and hard to train out of them.)

Golden Retriever 

• Easier to train
• Love the water
• Selective hearing and stubborn
• Split energy levels (can be lazy one minute and bouncing up and down the next)
• Lover of cuddles

Husky

• Difficult to train
• Skittish
• High level of energy 
• Stubborn
• Gentle and playful

Doberman

• Difficult to train
• Reactive
• Alert and protective
• Stubborn
• Loyal

(p.s if you do get a Doberman, please don’t crop their ears and tail, it can lead to them becoming aggressive.)

Dalmatian

• Sensitive (requires a lot of attention and love.)
• Stubborn
• High level of energy
• Intelligent
• Skittish

German Shepherd

• Strong (will pull on the lead unless well trained.)
• Stubborn
• Reactive
• Intelligent

Labrador 

• Easy to train (chocolate labradors are known to be the least easy to train of the group.)
• Lover of cuddles 
• Forever hungry 
• Loyal
• Playful
• Lover of water

Non-moulting Breeds

Lurcher 

• Easy to train
• Energetic 
• Agile
• (Likely to chase rodents, sheep and cows and hard to train out of them.)

Whippet 

• Easy to train
• Energetic 
• Strong
• Fast
• Requires a lot of exercise 
• High hunt drive (Likely to chase rodents, sheep and cows and hard to train out of them.)

Poodle 

• Easy to train
• Requires a lot of attention
• Energetic
• Proud 

Large Terrier 

• Can be stubborn
• Quick learners
• Vocal
• Sociable 
• Can be skittish

Small Breeds

Dachshund 

• Easy to train
• Vocal
• Skittish
• Sociable 
• Can be aggressive if not trained properly

King Charles Spaniel 

• Quick learners
• Vocal
• Friendly
• Intelligent
• Adaptable
• Less exercise needed 

Small Beagle

• Alert
• Stubborn
• Less exercise needed
• High hunt drive (Likely to chase rodents, sheep and cows and hard to train out of them.)

Pug 

• Less exercise needed
• Alert
• Breathing issues
• Calm
• Vocal

Chihuahuas

• Very vocal
• Easy to train
• Proud
• Require a lot of attention
• Skittish

Vanlife essentials for your dog

Dog bed and cushion – Beds within vans are often on the smaller side, leaving little room for a dog, especially one of larger size. Get a big comfortable bed which you can store away in the day and throw down at night.

Dog toys – to keep them entertained, especially on those rainy days when you will spend more time indoors

Collapsable dog bowls – Dog related items, whilst small, can take up a huge amount of space. Collapsable bowls not only take up the least amount of space, they also are easy to transport on adventures. 

Dog food and plenty of treats – Training a dog is hard, adapting them to vanlife can be even harder, so it’s important you have lots of treats to reward them with when they get it right. 

Poo bags – This one is pretty oblivious, isn’t it?

Towels – Wet dogs and small living spaces do not mix. When your kitchens in your living room and your living room is in your bedroom, adding a drenched dog to the equation will only lead to damp and smelly furniture, so make sure you have plenty of towels within easy reach after a trip to the beach or a splash in the lake.

Tick remover – The bug that all dog owners fear more…the dreaded tick. If your dog has long hair, they’re even more likely to attract them. 

Leads – (If you decide to get a big dog I suggest getting a K9 harness and a secure lead. A mouthguard can also help with the pulling on the lead).

Brush and comb (optional) – to get rid of any mud after a walk and build up of hair

Dog nail clippers (optional) – Depending on the amount of exercise your dog gets, their nails tend to file themselves down naturally.

Dog lead ground screw (optional) – If you are going to be in camping areas and open spaces, these tools are a lifesaver. Simply pop it in the ground, attach the long lead and let your dog chill outside without worrying about them running off.

Dog crate (optional) – Crates can be very handy, it’s not only the safest way to transport them, but it allows them to have a place to escape to when feeling overwhelmed.

Dog toothbrush (optional) – Being in a small space, it’s probably best to avoid smelly breath.

Dog shampoo (optional) – For those that don’t mind the gentle aroma of whiffy damp dogs, then you can cross this one right off your list.

Awning (optional) – Every dreamt of owning your own dog cleaning station? Well with an awning you can! A driveaway awning is a great way to add an extra room for your dog to relax in, not to mention your dog after a muddy walk.

So what is it really like living in a van with dogs?

We sat down with our Marketing Assistant, Lauren (A Yorkshire Soul) who lives with her partner and two dogs Indiana Bones & Demba full-time in their converted minibus. 

So first things first, tell us about your dogs?

Well, call us crazy but we are the proud ‘paw’rents of two full time van woofers, Indiana Bones (chocolate lab) who is 4 and Demba (black cocker spaniel) who is 9. We have had Indy since he was a pup and Demba we took in a few years ago. 

How would you say they’ve adapted to vanlife?

Way better than expected. They’ve taken to it like a duck to water, or should I say a lab to water. Initially, they were more apprehensive about travelling in the van and it took them a few days to find their ‘spots’ but within a week or so, Demba had claimed the chair by the door as his own and Indy had claimed the whole bed. We like to think of it as they may have a smaller house, but we’ve traded it in for a way bigger garden and I think we all know which one a dog prefers ha!

What would you say are the main struggles when it comes to having dogs in the van?

I’d say the main struggle at night. As mentioned above, Indy is under the impression that the entire bed is indeed his and we’re just guests within it, so even if he starts the evening on the floor in his bed, he wakes us up in the middle of the night jumping on. Also, water consumption – before living in a van we definitely took for granted how much a dog actually drinks, so we often find ourselves running short. Oh and ticks, ticks are the worst. 

What happens when you leave your dogs alone?

We have a number of security measures in place, including a camera, tracker, window locks etc. There is always going to be a slight bit of anxiety about leaving them in a van compared to a house from a security perspective. Heat wise, we make sure all the window curtains are closed, have the air vents opened and ensure they have access to plenty of water. They will also never be left for a long period of time, so our life does indeed revolve mainly around our dogs but we’re cool with that. 

And lastly, in your mind is it all worth it?

ABSO-WOOFING-LUTELY! My dogs are my best friends and nothing makes me happier than opening the van door and seeing them run free. We get to explore all of these wonderful places together and I truly wouldn’t change it for the world.

Would you like to try vanlife with your four legged pooch before leaping in paws first? Check out our wide range of pet-friendly rentals!