trailer or basket?

[elk]

I want to take my papillons on rides sometimes (they each weigh about 7-8lbs) and have been looking at trailers and baskets.

I don't a handlebar basket, but maybe can do a basket on a front rack OR on my rear rack.

I was thinking a flat trailer with a vari-kennel (hard) crate would work too and be safer maybe then the soft sided carriers.

What do you think would be safer?

I DO have a Jamis AUrora which is a touring bike...built to carry a load.

[shootingstar]

Papillons..are your butterflies that heavy?

I am only familiar with that French term for butterflies.

[ASammy1]

I put Nigel, my Maltese/Yorkie mix in a handlebar basket, that way I can keep an eye on him and make sure he's ok. The trailer might be safer in case (God forbid) you have a spill.

[elk]

Papillons..are your butterflies that heavy?

I am only familiar with that French term for butterflies.

Mine are toy spaniels...called papillons because well, look: (notice the shape of the ears)

[Biciclista]

Papillons..are your butterflies that heavy?

I am only familiar with that French term for butterflies.

good one!!

Do dogs really sit still enough to be on your handlebars? (in a basket of course)

[Torrilin]

I really like baskets, but I wouldn't necessarily use one for a dog.

It really depends on the dog's personality. If you have a calm, laid back dog who would just relax, a basket would be great. If you have a dog who is a bit of a hunter type, and alerts to new sights or smells and likes to chase... bad. If you've got a guard type, who might find a stranger threatening... *really* bad. Even cute little toy dogs make jobs for themselves and they *do* them, so I wouldn't want to put the dog in a position where doing their job might be harmful.

Also, for such little dogs, I'd keep their sturdiness in mind. I was raised around Lhasa Apsos and Tibetan Spanials... cute and little dogs to look at, but they've got heavy bones and a lot of muscle. Ours loved to do *big* jumps (3-4 times their height was about average), climb and play rough games for their size. A more delicate dog would get badly hurt doing what our guys did.

For the dogs I grew up with, I'd use a trailer. Lhasas and Tibbies are guard types, and it is not safe for them *or* for other humans for them to be off lead around strangers. Too easy for the dog to get confused and make a bad decision.

[ASammy1]

This is what I have for my munchkin.

http://www.allpetfurniture.com/Pet-C...ml#ProdDetails

It also comes with a roll cage so that the animal cant jump out. My little guy is very calm and just lays down in the basket when we ride.

[elk]

It really depends on the dog's personality. If you have a calm, laid back dog who would just relax, a basket would be great. If you have a dog who is a bit of a hunter type, and alerts to new sights or smells and likes to chase... bad. If you've got a guard type, who might find a stranger threatening... *really* bad. Even cute little toy dogs make jobs for themselves and they *do* them, so I wouldn't want to put the dog in a position where doing their job might be harmful.

Also, for such little dogs, I'd keep their sturdiness in mind. I was raised around Lhasa Apsos and Tibetan Spanials... cute and little dogs to look at, but they've got heavy bones and a lot of muscle. Ours loved to do *big* jumps (3-4 times their height was about average), climb and play rough games for their size. A more delicate dog would get badly hurt doing what our guys did.

( love Tibetan Spaniels...)

Mostly it would be for thier pleasure and company. My paps are all obedience titled AND have CGC s (Canine Good Citizens) and have never been encouraged to act like brats.
I would still want to secure them in the basket--one thing I have learned about dogs is that NO dog is fool proof---but I do wonder about possibilitys in a fall or a crash.

I have that basket with the metal top and I think it's a good design, but I don't want it on my bars...i don't even think it will fit on my 38 size drop bars..

I was looking at this(it's 19" L) :

Are trailers more likely to get hit?

[Geonz]

Most of the pups I've seen on rides have been in trailers, including today... it was the cutest trailer, with peacock feathers stickin' out of it. Bein' able to zip things up if you need to would seem like a good idea.

[Blueberry]

I wonder (though I have no evidence) if trailers might be safer. After a ride with too many people passing too close, it occurred to me that if I were pulling a kid trailer I bet they'd give me more clearance. Just a thought I also think motorists are less inclined to think they can squeeze past a trailer.

Good luck with the pups! I carried my Cricket in a backpack once upon a time. I fell once, and was scared to bike with him again (though we did hike...).

CA

[wildhawk]

We just took our trailer around the park trail the other day - we went to a sport store and bought a mint condition BeBeLove bike trailer that carries 100 lbs. DH did not feel hardly any drag with it and loved hauling it. We are thinking of putting our little corgi (she is disabled) in it and taking her to the park. It was made to haul toddlers and is the type that will not tip over. We got it used and it was in good condition. I would feel better hauling my dog in a trailer and the best part is, other trail users thought we had a baby in there so they gave us lots of room. We intended to haul groceries with it when we first purchased it.

[PamNY]

Seems like a trailer would be safer. I do see a lot of people carrying dogs that size in baskets, though.

Do you want them to enjoy the ride, or is more of a practical matter?

Pam