Being a trucker doesn't mean that you have to miss out on the joys of owning a dog. But if you pick the wrong kind of dog, things might not work out well for you while you and your dog are on the road. Below you will find tips that will help you select the perfect canine companion for your needs.

Size Matters

Driving around with an extremely large dog can be problematic. For one, the dog may never be able to truly get comfortable in the cab of your truck. Also, the dog could be so large that it could accidentally bump you with too much force while you are driving. An accident could result.

Dogs like Mastiffs, Great Danes, and Cane Corsos aren't recommended as companion dogs for truckers. Smaller dogs that are under 100 pounds and not as tall should be what you are looking for in a dog.

Don't Forget About Shedding

Dogs with long hair can shed a lot. You can find yourself with a cab with a lot of dog hair in it if you don't remember to take shedding into consideration. The hair that is shed may contribute to your cab having an unpleasant odor if you don't remove the hair.

An example of a breed with short hair would be a Doberman pincher. A German Shepard is an example of a breed with long hair.

Avoid Energetic Dog Breeds

Your dog will be in the cab with you for many hours while you make hauls. A dog from a breed known not to be calm might not be happy being confined like that. As such, you want to pick from breeds that are known to be calm and less energetic.

Examples of calm dog breeds are French bulldogs, English bulldogs, and pugs. If you were to choose a boxer, you'd be picking a dog from a high-energy breed.

No Puppies

You shouldn't bring a puppy on the road with you. Taking care of a puppy is a lot of work. If you take a puppy on the road with you, you will more than likely end up with the puppy using your cab as a bathroom.

If you do purchase a puppy, leave your pup at home until your pup is housebroken. It's probably best to wait until your dog is at least six months old before taking your dog with you on the road.

Use the above tips to help you pick out your perfect companion for your long hauls. Don't forget to keep your dog on a leash at all times while you are taking your dog for walks around truck stops and other locations on your routes. For more trucking tips and information, click for more info.