transporting dogs

[mdsn]

How do you guys keep dogs warm in the winter on long trips in the back of a pickup w/topper of course?
I currently have a Yukon XL and we drive 5 hours to the cabin regularly.
I may be getting a pickup w/topper and they would need to ride in the bed. 5 hours in WI/MN winters can be cold!
Any such thing as an electric blanket? Any other ideas or advice?
Thanks

[walteye]

I had a large cage for my GSD which I put a blanket inside and covered 3/4 the way around with a doubled moving blanket-leaving only the cage door uncovered. Just like a dog house-his body heat warms up the cage. I took him from PA to upstate NY in the winter and to Bay of Quinte in December.
Walteye

[mac]

My dog rides either in the "passenger" seat or between the two front seats. I have room for 8-10 people in the back and they will be warmer if they huddle together.

[Wade B AKA: Ruger2506]

Our dogs are spoiled and get to ride in the cab. Thank goodness for 4 door pickups.

[Suzuki]

Depends on temp. Big difference between 22 degrees and 2 degrees. You can throw blankets over and under kennel or buy those purpose built kennel jackets but honestly I wouldnt put my dog back there if it was really cold out for that long. Hopefully someone has some details for you or you'll have to figure it out on your own. We pack our dogs on late season phesant trips. 2-3 dogs build heat back there. Never had a problem but never saw anything under 20 degrees. Maybe 15. Also depends on breed. We have springers and labs. They have a lot of hair. Pointers dont. Wish I had more info for you.

[take_em77]

Depends on the dog, sometimes my bro has to drag his Chessie inside when it's below zero out. My last lab/golden mix as a huge wimp and hated any cold. I get we are talking health not comfort but I still think it depends on the dog.

[wheels]

Insulated kennel jackets, with straw inside the kennels. Mine have stayed the night in these many cold nights.

Can't imagine how cold it is for them sitting in the reeds all day, only getting a break to jump into the icy creek time after time to retrieve ducks.

[Fish-er-man]

I also used an insulated kennel jacket. My vizsla road around in there when it was -20. When you would open the kennel cover the steam would just pour out. Now I have a two dog diamond deluxe kennel that fits under my tarp. It is insulated a little but not as good as those kennel covers. If you have them in a topper like that I would think a insulated kennel cover would be more then enough. Amazing how much heat dogs produce on there own. Just make sure your kennel fits your dog so they are not trying to heat a kennel the size of a hotel.

[Phil T]

Crew cab pickup, dog sits between people when on the road. If someone complains, ask them if they would put themselves between you and a bear. The dog likely would.

[Richard B]

A gentleman I know has a crew cab with a sliding window. His shell has a sliding window and somehow he has connected the 2. He has placed a small fan in the slider when it is real cold and the dog is just fine.