Living in a bike-friendly city like Amsterdam, or any city where cycling is a way of life, often means wanting to bring your furry friend along for the ride. For short jaunts, letting your dog run beside your bike works well. However, for longer distances, especially if you’re heading to a park or trail where you want your dog to have energy to play, a Dog Bike Trailer is a game-changer. As someone who loves cycling with my dog, Clover, I explored various options to find the perfect dog bike trailer. Navigating online stores, especially non-English ones, can be tricky. To simplify your search, here’s a rundown of the best dog bike trailers I considered, and ultimately, the one I chose for Clover.
If you live in Amsterdam with a dog, you
Top Dog Bike Trailers for Every Need
Choosing the right dog bike trailer depends on your dog’s size, your budget, and how you plan to use it. Here are some of the best options available, covering a range of features and price points.
Trixie Dog Bike Trailer: My Top Pick
The Trixie dog bike trailer is the one I personally use and highly recommend. It comes in three sizes, ensuring a good fit for various dog breeds. Initially, for my 10kg dog, Clover, I ordered a small, but quickly exchanged it for a medium as it felt a bit cramped for her to comfortably move around. The ease of returns and exchanges from Amazon Germany was a big plus.
One of the standout features of the Trixie trailer is its thoughtful design. It’s well-constructed with multiple entry points for your dog, making it easy to get them in and out. The trailer features a combination of zippered plastic covers for rainy days and Velcro mesh doors to keep your dog secure while providing ample ventilation. For apartment living, the Trixie is incredibly convenient. The wheels are detachable, and the trailer arm folds neatly under the main compartment, making storage a breeze. If you have multiple bikes, you can purchase additional bike attachments separately, allowing for easy switching between bikes.
If I could suggest one improvement, it would be to include thicker padding in the base. While it comes with a thin padded mat, I added an extra dog bed inside for more cushioning, especially for bumpy bike paths. For the medium-sized trailer, an internal dog bed around 50cm x 70cm fits perfectly.
Globetrotter Dog Bike Trailer & Jogger: Two-in-One Convenience
The Globetrotter offers exceptional versatility as it functions as both a dog bike trailer and a jogging stroller. The jogging components – the front wheel and handle – are detachable, ensuring they don’t hinder your bike rides. Ordering from ZooPlus, where this trailer is available, is known for its fast delivery and reliable service, perfect for getting your dog bike trailer quickly. Like the Trixie, extra bike attachments are also available for the Globetrotter at a reasonable price.
DoggyRide Original Dog Bike Trailer: A Classic Dutch Choice
DoggyRide is perhaps the most recognized Dutch brand in the dog bike trailer market. If supporting a Dutch company and owning a classic, robust trailer is important to you, DoggyRide is an excellent option. While it was slightly beyond my personal budget, its reputation for quality and durability is well-established.
Karlie Flamingo Doggy Liner: Budget-Friendly and Versatile
For a more budget-conscious option that still offers great functionality, the Karlie Flamingo dog bike trailer is worth considering. It’s a well-priced trailer that can also be converted into a stroller with an additional jogger function add-on. However, if you know you’ll frequently use the jogging feature, the Globetrotter might offer better value as a combined package.
Final Thoughts on Dog Bike Trailers
After extensive research, poring over countless reviews for every dog bike trailer I could find, I settled on the Trixie bike trailer. Two years of use later, I remain extremely satisfied with my choice. For its price point and excellent customer service, I believe it’s the best deal available, especially for first-time dog bike trailer users.
Pro Tip: Make the trailer a comfortable and engaging space for your dog by adding a couple of their favorite treats and a long-lasting, healthy dog chew. This will help them associate the trailer with positive experiences and keep them occupied during rides.
I hope this overview helps you in your search for the perfect dog bike trailer. Let me know which one you choose – I’d love to see photos and videos of you and your dog enjoying bike rides together!
