As dog owners, safety is always on top of our list of priorities, especially when it comes to traveling with our dachshunds. Recently, we made a change we’ve been considering for a while: we bought a new metal transport crate for our car. And we couldn’t be happier.

We drive a Skoda Octavia and this new crate is designed specifically to fit in the trunk space. Even though our car has a bigger trunk, those dog cages should fit most cars. It’s made out of durable metal panels, offering a level of protection that soft material transporters or even standard plastic boxes just can’t match. In the unfortunate event of an accident, the metal construction helps keep our dogs safer and more secure.

Usually we go for short rides in our neighborhood, to destinations that are 20 minutes away. But at least once per year we go on a longer trip that takes around 12 hours. We drive through multiple countries and on multiple highways. That’s why I wanted something more sturdy to replace our old material transporter we’ve been using for couple years.

Crate we chose comes in multiple sizes, to accommodate everyone – from miniature Dachshunds to German Shepherds. We opted for the smallest size, which still gives them both room to lay down but also leaves some extra space in the trunk for other travel essentials we bring on our trips.

The build quality is excellent, and it’s clearly designed with both dogs and dog owners in mind. It’s surprisingly lightweight for a metal dog cage and it’s easy to assemble even by one person. I did it all by myself.

If you’re thinking about upgrading your dog’s travel setup, I highly recommend looking into metal transport crates; especially if you often travel by car. They’re a bit of an investment compared to other kinds of transporters on the market, but the added safety and sturdiness make it well worth it.

Do you travel with your dogs in the car? What setup do you use? I’d love to hear what’s worked for you in the comments!