I need to bring my dog in my new Prius?

My Shiba Inu (similar in size to a beagle) fits fine in the back hatch area with back seats up but it would be a tight fit with the back seat up for my GSD.

 

put the dog in a travel crate?

 

This product would protect the doors:

Canine Covers-door shields

I have them in mine and I also have their seat covers. The seat covers were kind of pricey though, so I imagine you'd still have to improvise something for the seats.

 

I have a Golden Retriever, has gone for several rides with me in my 2010 prius. He sits in the back seat, because I dont think he would fit in the hatchback section. I have a car seat cover that covers the seat and the back of the seat. It fits pretty well, but the headrests get a bit in the way. That seems to do the job for me. Remember, dont cover the battery vent.

 

We take our Aussie in the rear hatch - but I carry her in, then I loosely attach a leash to one of the front back compartment tie downs. Done right, no jumping on seats, but room for the dog to move. I think a GS will fit back there no problem (providing the dog is the only thing there). Watch that bumper protector - it scratches big time. We all need a protector for the bumper protector for the bumper....

 

I just put an old thick blanket over the seats.

 

ound:

 

My 80 lb. boxer fits comfortably in the hatch. I just throw down a blanket and raise the middle headrest on the rear seat to deter her from trying to hop over. She sleeps like a baby on car rides.

 

After seeing this post, I have to use my Greyhound for a real test with photos. I just got my car last night so I'm reluctant to put my dog in too soon, but the situation is actually not as bad as it seems

The first picture is to give you an idea how tall a greyhound is (26 inches on average and I'm 5'2, ) Greyhounds are thinner, taller and longer than Golden, Aussie. My Chihuahua is about the size of her head. She is on the small side of her breed, only 55 pounds. A male can be bigger and go up to 100 lbs.

My thought was comparing the differences between dog bed on the flat cargo surface or bed inside the underneath compartment space since you can remove the cover completely. Both situations with back seats up.

The first several images are with the bed right on the covered cargo. she looked cramped and uncomfortable, can't stand straight when the door is closed. She can lay down and look through the lower part of the glass but its definitely not great.

So I removed the compartment cover and lay in the dog bed. Please note that the pictures make the cargo area looks shorter than it is. The space instantly feels much better, she's a bit more comfortable to move her head around when sitting. And when she curls up, she actually fits within the compartment.

So my conclusion is, if the travel distance is short, to a dog park or something similar, it's fine to use the compartment as long as you put some comfy bed in it. Any long distance, say from LA to SF I'd lower the back seats.

I should add that although my dog is fairly tall.. she's very narrow and curls up into a surprisingly small ball. I don't know about other breed's transformational capabilities...

 

My 80 lb. Boxer just sits on the back seat like my mother-in-law, but she's quieter.

 

I had the same concerns. I got an item called a "Pet Hammock" which is a big canvas thing that wraps around the headrests in back, swoops down to the seat where is has anchors to keep it in place and then goes up to wrap around the back of the front seat headrests. Then to keep dog off the doors, I use a pet seat belt and put him in the middle seat. He can sit up, stand and lie down, but can't go over and put his little paws on the doors.

 

My 68 lb. Labradoodle fits in back with the seats up but much prefers the seats down so he can roam. Like the greyhound, the headroom is tight. Great idea to put him in the storage compartment! We're headed out on a road trip this week - his first one in the Prius. I'm interested to see if he'll be a happy camper.

 

ound::drum:

 

My 145 lb Akita fit fine in the back seat of my 2005 Prius. My current 80 lb Akita fits easily in my 2010.

 

Yea, there is an air vent on the right side of the back seat for the battery to keep cool. If I get a chance, I will try and take some pics of my seat cover, maybe with dog too. In the mean time some towels are great protectors, as previously said.