Approximately one million Americans live in their RV full-time.
And as the trend continues to rise, more and more Americans are bringing along the whole family to enjoy the lifestyle – including the dog!
But when it comes to man’s best friend, what are the best dogs for RV living?
Table of Contents
What Are The Best Dogs For RV Living?
AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD
SIZE: Medium
GROUP: Herding
ENERGY LEVEL: High
OBEDIENCE: High
ADAPTABILITY: High
If your RV lifestyle consists of endless adventures, new experiences and lots of outdoor activity, then the Australian Shepherd is the dog for you.
While this breed is Australian by name, it’s by no means Australian by nature. In fact, the Aussie’ – as it’s sometimes referred to – isn’t actually registered as a native breed in the land down under.
While its origins might be the cause of some confusion, its personality and temperament are most certainly not.
High-spirited, industrious, loyal, and energetic, the Australian Shepherd will be the source of much joy for all the family.
As for its purpose in life, this dog was born to herd. And as you’d likely expect from a herding breed, the Aussie is exceptionally bright, highly obedient, and very responsive to training.
Given that the Australian Shepherd is both highly adaptable and eager to please, this breed is certainly a front runner when it comes to the best dog for RV living.
BORDER COLLIE
SIZE: Medium
GROUP: Herding
ENERGY LEVEL: High
OBEDIENCE: High
ADAPTABILITY: High
The Border Collie was recently named the most intelligent dog in the world – and it’s easy to see why.
An exceptionally gifted breed that’s able to concentrate and learn at an impressive speed, its mental ability is second to none.
But as a herding type, the Border Collie is also agile, energetic, and fast. In fact, it’s the Border Collie’s combined physical and mental prowess that make it the ideal choice for an active RV family with children.
And if it wasn’t enough that the Border Collie is intelligent, obedient and incredibly easy to train – they also demonstrate unwavering loyalty to their owners.
It really doesn’t matter whether you’re planning a high energy day outdoors or a day out on the road seeking your next adventure – this low maintenance breed will be the perfect companion either way.
BOXER
SIZE: Medium
GROUP: Working
ENERGY LEVEL: High
OBEDIENCE: Average
ADAPTABILITY: High
If you’re an RVer that’s looking to enjoy an active life with a highly amusing and trusty sidekick, then the Boxer is the dog for you.
But only in the right setting. Boxers don’t fare well in extreme weather climes, but if your RV lifestyle consists of more moderate temperatures, then you’ll be the best of friends.
If you enjoy a variety of activities in the great outdoors, this working breed is the perfect companion.
Boxers want nothing more than to spend their days by their owner’s side – and their desire to please is strong.
When it comes to being out on the road, Boxers are content lying quietly near their owner, making them a great travel companion. And quiet they are.
As a general rule of thumb, the Boxer is more often seen and not heard. So, you needn’t worry about excessive barking on an RV park with a Boxer, unless they sense a genuine reason for concern.
CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL
SIZE: Small
GROUP: Toy
ENERGY LEVEL: Moderate
OBEDIENCE: High
ADAPTABILITY: High
You might argue that the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the ideal RV dog.
As a member of the Toy group, the King Charles is a petite dog that’s also pretty low maintenance in the grooming department.
And when you look at the history of this breed, you’ll quickly realise that it also makes a great travel companion.
Sometimes referred to as a comforter dog’, the King Charles was bred with the sole purpose of providing companionship to royal and noble elites across Europe.
Indeed, this is an easy-going breed that was never intended to spend the majority of its time outdoors.
So if you’re looking for a companion to compliment an RV lifestyle at a more relaxed pace – or one that sees you spending that bit more time out on the open road, then look no further than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
COCKER SPANIEL
SIZE: Medium
GROUP: Sporting
ENERGY LEVEL: Medium
OBEDIENCE: High
ADAPTABILITY: High
Are you an RVer who craves a life by the sea? Or perhaps you’re an RV family with children in tow. If either of these descriptions fit your bill, then your perfect companion is the Cocker Spaniel.
In fact, as far as RV living goes, the classic Cocker ticks a huge number of boxes.
Doesn’t take up too much living space – tick. Enjoys a reasonable amount of exercise but isn’t too demanding – tick. Family friendly – tick. Sociable and well-behaved around other dogs – tick.
In fact, as long as you’re willing to throw a tennis ball by the sea, you really can’t go wrong with a Cocker Spaniel.
But they’re not entirely perfect. While this breed is a fantastic RV companion, you’ll need to be prepared to do some fairly regularly grooming – especially of those large floppy ears.
If your RV living kit includes a good quality metal dog comb and some trust doggy shampoo, then you’ll be on to an real winner with the Cocker Spaniel.
DALMATIAN
SIZE: Medium
GROUP: Non-Sporting
ENERGY LEVEL: High
OBEDIENCE: High
ADAPTABILITY: High
You may be surprised to hear this, but the Dalmatian is arguably the ideal travel companion – especially if you’re the type of RVer who relishes a genuine road trip.
Bred to accompany horse-drawn carriages in days gone by, the Dalmatian wouldn’t so much as flinch at the prospect of a long journey.
Given their pretty calm demeanour, the Dalmatian is obedient by nature and extremely easy to train.
And as well as being very much at home on a long journey, they’re equally as happy to be out and about with their owners for a day of activity and exercise.
But perhaps the greatest asset of this impressive breed, when it comes to RV living, is their outstanding tolerance of all forms of weather. It doesn’t matter if it’s cold or warm, the versatile Dalmatian will take it in its stride.
At this point, you might be thinking the Dalmatian is practically perfect in every way. And while it’s not far off, there is one downside that needs a mention. Shedding. Lots of shedding.
But when you weigh up the pros against the cons, the Dalmatian is easily a contender for the title of best dog for RV living.
GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER
SIZE: Medium
GROUP: Sporting
ENERGY LEVEL: High
OBEDIENCE: High
ADAPTABILITY: High
Well-behaved, low-maintenance and a pleasure to train, the German Shorthaired Pointer is a great choice for those RVers who enjoy plenty of outdoor activity and adventure.
And as much as this breed loves to be with its owners, the German Shorthaired Pointer also comes with the added benefit of being great around other humans and animals alike.
So, whether you’re enjoying a quiet solo walk along the beach with your trusty companion, or a fun-filled day at the dog park, you’ll be safe in the knowledge that your loyal sidekick won’t let you down.
HAVANESE
SIZE: Small
GROUP: Toy
ENERGY LEVEL:
OBEDIENCE: High
ADAPTABILITY: High
While the fluffy coat of the Havanese might be of initial concern to an RVer, I’d urge you not to be put off by it – because their glorious coat is actually non-shedding.
In fact, when it comes to the ideal dog for RV living, you really can’t go wrong with a Havanese.
Size wise and maintenance wise, they are perfect for travelling. Bred for companionship, they will settle quietly by your side as you take in the sights on your travels.
But they are just as happy accompanying you on an outdoor adventure, where they’ll thrive at the chance to show off the more playful aspects of their personality.
And when it comes to its owners, the Havanese really is a great fit all round.
So whether you’re an active couple on an outdoor adventure, a large family with young children in tow, or a more senior RVer looking for a more relaxed way of life, you can’t go wrong with the trusty Havanese.
LABRADOR RETRIEVER
SIZE: Medium/Large
GROUP: Sporting
ENERGY LEVEL: High
OBEDIENCE: High
ADAPTABILITY: High
If ever there was a dog that resembled its humans, it’s the Labrador Retriever. Known across the world for its intelligence, the ab’ as we affectionately know it today makes a superb family pet.
And when it comes to RV living, they are a fantastic addition thanks to their playful and pleasant nature. Despite being one of the larger dog breeds in this list, that doesn’t mean they aren’t suited to the RV lifestyle.
On the contrary, they are obedient, sociable, well-mannered and friendly towards other animals – meaning they really are a great RV companion.
When it comes to their energy levels, the Labrador does require plenty of exercise. But thanks to its versatile nature, it’s just as happy running along the beach chasing a ball as it is hiking across the countryside.
So whatever your chosen activity, the Labrador Retriever will happily accompany you on your travels.
NORWICH TERRIER
SIZE: Toy
GROUP: Terrier
ENERGY LEVEL: High
OBEDIENCE: High
ADAPTABILITY: High
For anyone meeting a Norwich Terrier for the first time, you’d be sensible to heed the following advice. Don’t judge a book by its cover.
You see, while many of the terrier group are known to be highly strung appers’, the same can’t really be said for the lovely Norwich.
On the contrary, you might even argue that it’s are a rarity among its breed, thanks to its unexpectedly affectionate and well-balanced temperament.
That’s not to say these pups don’t have a big personality – because they do.
In fact, the Norwich Terrier is as sociable as it is energetic, particularly when it comes to fooling around and playing a game of fetch with its favorite humans.
But once play time is over and the energy is burnt off, the Norwich Terrier will only too gladly curl up in a ball next to its owner.
And that’s what makes this particular breed a fantastic dog for RV living.
It’ll happily join you and your family for a fun-filled day of activity and adventure, but it can equally play the role of a perfect companion for a long-distance RV road trip.
PORTUGUESE WATER DOG
SIZE: Medium
GROUP: Working
ENERGY LEVEL: High
OBEDIENCE: High
ADAPTABILITY: High
Water dog by name, water dog by nature!
Needless to say, if you’re the type of person who wants nothing more than to live your RV lifestyle by the water, then there really is no better companion for you than the Portuguese Water Dog.
In fact, this is a breed that’s truly appealing to a wide range of RVers, both young and old alike.
Thanks to its happy go lucky temperament, a great sense of adventure, and its extremely well-behaved nature, the Portuguese Water Dog will fit in just nicely around the majority of RV lifestyles – even those with more than one family dog.
And when it comes to the more practical side of matters, the Portuguese Water Dog also has a great deal to offer.
Given that they’re a highly intelligent working dog, this breed takes extremely well to obedience training.
And if that wasn’t enough, there’s also the added benefit that it doesn’t shed a great deal. What more could you ask for?
SIBERIAN HUSKY
SIZE: Medium
GROUP: Working
ENERGY LEVEL: High
OBEDIENCE: Low
ADAPTABILITY: High
Now, where to begin with the Siberian Husky? This breed is a truly striking and majestic sight to behold. Spellbinding, almost. It’s also an exceptionally intelligent and gifted dog.
And given that the Siberian Husky is a pack dog by nature, any owners of this breed out there will be first to tell you that they’re also highly affectionate dogs that are only more than happy to accompany you as you head off on your RV travels to those somewhat cooler climes.
It’s also worth adding at this point that as one of this planet’s atural’ breeds, the Siberian Husky is also very capable of managing its own grooming regime and maintaining an impressively high standard of cleanliness.
That said, this is not the right breed for the faint hearted – or first time RV dog owners, for that matter.
Its fiercely independent nature means the Siberian Husky can be immensely difficult to train, even for the most experienced dog owner.
But for the confident RVer who enjoys a lifestyle with plenty of routine, consistency and structure, then the Siberian Husky could well be the perfect dog for you.
If you’re willing to commit 100 per cent of your time and energy to your Husky, you’ll not only reap the benefits of a well-adapted dog – but chances are you’ll have found a soulmate for life.
TOY POODLE
SIZE: Toy
GROUP: Toy
ENERGY LEVEL: High
OBEDIENCE: High
ADAPTABILITY: High
Put simply, the Toy Poodle is a small dog with a massive personality. Sure, we’ve all heard that age old stereotype that the Toy Poodle is nothing more than a andbag dog’ – but you’d be quite the fool to believe it.
Because in all honesty, the Toy Poodle is a genuinely versatile dog that’s bright, alert and highly adaptable – not to mention extremely loyal to its owners.
Despite the rumours, the Toy Poodle is arguably one of the world’s most intelligent breeds that can and will turn its paw to just about any task you throw at it.
If you’re the sort of person who enjoys an outdoor RV lifestyle that’s full of variety, then you can’t go wrong with a Toy Poodle.
But one word of caution. This larger than life little breed is fiercely loyal to its owners – and highly protective.
So newcomers or strangers to the situation beware. While the Toy Poodle will eventually accept your presence, it may take some time before they’re willing to lower their guard.
WEIMARANER
SIZE: Large
GROUP: Sporting
ENERGY LEVEL: High
OBEDIENCE: High
ADAPTABILITY: Medium
The Weimaraner is most certainly a large breed – but it’s also a big softy to be quite frank. If you have a large and energetic family that’s always on the go, then you’ll have found your perfect RV dog with the Weimaraner.
Because this is a dog with a genuinely big heart. There’s nothing it won’t do to please its owners – and all it asks for in return is their unwavering love and attention.
An outstanding choice for a family with younger children, the Weimaraner is impressively obedient so long as it gets its fill of daily activity.
In some ways, you might even do well to treat your Weimaraner as though it’s one of the kids – especially during the colder months.
As a short-haired breed, its fur doesn’t offer very much warmth or insulation on those snowy and icy days. But that doesn’t stop your pooch wanting to play in the snow with the children!
So as long as your RV is equipped with warm coats for the kiddies and the dog, then let the fun commence!
Conclusion
As you’ve probably gathered by now, there are many breeds that are well suited to RV living. Is there such a thing as the ‘best dog’ for RV living?
Probably not. Because just like us humans, every dog breed is different. And just like us humans, every dog has its own personality and temperament, each of which brings with it a number of pros and cons for your chosen RV lifestyle.
But what we do know for certain is this. If you dedicate the time and energy to making sure your dog is well-trained and respectful to you, your family, and those around you, then irrespective of its breed, you’ll be able to live your RV life to the max with your trusty sidekick in tow.