Trucking With Pets
The life of a truck driver, although exciting, can often become quite lonely. Sometimes, music and phone calls to your loved ones just aren’t enough to keep you company. That’s why many trucker drivers choose to bring their furry companions along with them on the road. Although there are other benefits to being a truck driver, one of the most desirable is that many trucking companies have pet-friendly trucking jobs. Trucking companies that allow pets not only benefit from having happier drivers but studies have shown that truckers also tend to drive safer, get in more exercise while one walks/runs, as well as become better at keeping a routine. However, before you start taking your pets on the road with you, make sure you do your research to find pet-friendly trucking companies to apply to, as well as which dog breeds are known to be the best trucker dogs. Unfortunately, certain dog breeds might not be suited for a life on the road. Knowing what pet-friendly trucking jobs are available, as well as which breeds are best suited to hit the road can help you live the trucking lifestyle you want alongside your furry friend!
Best Dog Breed for Truck Drivers
For the most part, dogs that need a lot of exercise, have short coats that don’t shed a lot, or who can’t handle extreme temperatures would not thrive on constant, long-distance drives. So, let’s find out which are the best dogs for truck drivers to have on the road.
Some of the best trucking dogs are those that are older in age. Whether it’s a long-time family dog or a newly adopted dog, older dogs tend to make great roadside companions. They are already potty-trained and have fully developed blatters, so they will require fewer bathroom breaks. Older dogs also require less exercise, since their days of chasing their tails and sprinting around a backyard are over. Given they have less energy and the urge to be active, long drives likely won’t bother them. They’ll be perfectly content just snoozing in the front row, curled up next to their best buddy, making older dogs some of the best dogs for truck drivers to bring on the road.
Age aside, some of the other best trucking dogs are often small, pudgy ones. Like older dogs, they too require less exercise. Even in a house, pups like Pugs, Bulldogs, and Basset Hounds would be perfectly fine snoozing the day away. Even smaller dogs, like Mini Dobermans and Chihuahuas, are great candidates as they take up little to no space and are allowed in most motels/hotels. Although the Pitbull dog breed is known to be great protectors and very loyal companions, making them sound like a great breed to take on the road, they sadly may not be allowed in every motel/hotel.
When choosing between the best dogs for truck drivers, it’s also important to keep in mind where you will be traveling. If you’re headed to areas with higher temperatures, Pugs and Bulldogs might not do so well. Whereas if you’re going somewhere with lower temperatures, smaller dogs like Chihuahuas and Shih Tzus may not do as well as they have more difficulty regulated their body heat.
Trucking Companies that Allow Pets
There are a fair amount of trucking companies that allow pets, which can often be a major factor in a trucker’s decision to work with them. However, most of them have some set rules and mandatory requirements for truckers that wish to bring their pet on the road with them to follow.
These rules/requirements usually include:
- Requiring an additional deposit fee from the driver, which will cover any damage done by the pet
- Ensuring that the driver is routinely having their truck cleaned and covers the acquired cleaning fees themself
- Proof of the pets’ vaccination
Pet-friendly trucking jobs typically publish their policies on their website, so we recommend regularly checking the page to be aware of any updates. Some of the most popular trucking companies that allow pets include:
- Celadon Group
- Crete Carrier
- Covenant Transport
- J.B. Hunt
- Con-Way Truckload/XPO
Check with your current employer to get a better understanding of the company’s pet policy. The Covenant Transport pet policy is a great policy to review, as it will give you a better idea of what is available. To find the best pet-friendly trucking jobs, a full list of pet-friendly trucking companies can be found here.
Believe it or not, a reported 40% of truckers bring their pets along with them, whether it be their dog, cat, or even bird! As touched on above, numerous studies have even shown that there can be many psychological and productivity benefits to having a pet accompany you on the road. Pets help provide comfort, security and are always a great excuse to take walk and get some fresh air. The life of a trucker can be very stressful and at times lonely, but with your best friend snuggled up against you, everything seems just a tab bit better.