Anybody found a good solution for transporting and medium-sized German Shepherd dog using the Toyota Prius. Specifically I'm looking at something that would separate the dog from the driver and front passenger. I do not really care if nobody can sit in the back while the dogs are in the car. But I would of course like to have the option of quickly being able to remove the separation to allow passengers in the back. Basically I'm trying to use the versatility of the car to the maximum. In terms of the floor and getting everything covered with hair I think you should be able to put down blankets and so forth to control the hair. Wonder if anybody has found the solution for this? If you would have, please let me know what it is and how well it works.
I am also looking to see the functionality of the prius when it comes to transporting a dog. I think with the seats up, the cargo space is too small for my dog, but he might just fit in the cargo space. I don't have a problem with the dog staying in the back seat with the seats up but when I get out of the car the dog usually goes and sits in the driver's or front passenger's seat. Sometimes my dog will go to the front floor which is the coolest part of the car even though I leave windows open etc---the solar roof may help in this situation. But getting back to your question and quest for a solution. I think the best bet is for you to put the rear seat down and put a wire dog kennel (wire cage) in the car and put the dog inside of it for the trip. Caging the dog in the car is probably the safest for the dog and driver. The problem may be fitting a large enough cage into the back---depending on the size of your shepherd. A rubber mat for the cargo may help with the hair issue. I don't like using blankets....to control the hair, I recommend the furminator dog brush and daily brushing.
We have a custom made dog lead with a spring clip at each end. We put the dog in the prius's cargo area (with back seats down if required). Clip one end of the lead to the dog's collar, and the other end to one of the cargo rings in the cargo area.
