Best Shell For Dogs?

Hey all,

I'm on the hunt for a shell that works best for dogs. Any real world feedback on your favorites? I have three dogs, a French Bulldog, Chow, and a French Mastiff. I'm looking for something that would have windows open, but screens attached. No chance of a little dog getting out. Is it possible to have a back window open, but a screen pulled down?

Sorry if these seem like simple questions......I'm a newbie to the shell world.

 

I think most companies have a steel mesh option that will keep the pups in. It wouldn't be too hard to epoxy some bolts to a fiberglass shell and attach some mesh of your own. I know there are kennels with cooling systems for pups in hot weather. Just make sure to keep em cool. It gets hot in there.

 

Not sure if soft tops are out of the question, but Softopper has a removable rear window and can replace with their optional screen window. That's what I use for my dogs.

 

I have Leer Legend with pet screens like this

 

That's exactly what I was looking for regarding screens. Good looking Vizla!

Is it common, or is it even an option, to have the glass of the shell that connects to the cab of the truck removed so it's easy to throw something back there, or have the AC get back to the dogs on a warm day?

 

nice looking Vizsla i have the leer also, but no pet screens, my vizsla rides in cab, wife in the back lol

 

They do make a rubber compression boot that attaches to the canopy and presses up against the cab to allow a seal between the cab and canopy with the windows pulled out. Many shops recommend against them as they damage the paint over time.

 

The pet screens is an option

Handsome dog. Not mine unfortunately.

 

I've got a Vizsla as well. Great dogs. Mine rides in the canopy and hasn't destroyed a regular screen yet.

 

I have an ARE CX shell with windoor's. The windoor option would not allow for pet screens. I do have bug screen's on both sides and my dog never tore through it yet. The shell is great for hauling dogs in. Best thing I ever got for my truck.

 

I purchased an ARE and had the pet screens put in as an option. I also have the front window of the cap so it can fold down giving lots of air circulation or I can opt to open the slider on the truck as well as the cap for AC, that way the dog can have his head in the cab of the truck. Either way tons of air flow for the dog.

 

I have an are with pet screens as well and it works great

You can open windows between the cab and cap for an opening and some air. I doubt you can permanently connect the two. There is some movement between the cap and the cab.

The best upgrade I got for my dogs was the rubber mat on the bed. The composite bed was like an ice skating rink for them in the back. They slid all over the place and never could get comfy

Now with the mat they just relax and lounge the whole trip

 

I have a Snugtop Xtra Vision. took the factory screen out and put in pet screen from a hardware store into the same channel. Screens slide if you want the option of their heads poking out. One of my dogs isn't so bright and jumped though the open window to get a head start to the park I guess. Found him 1/2 mile away trying to play ball with another dog with blood a blood covered nose and missing 2 teeth. He's tough as nails and just as dumb. Needless to say he doesn't get the option to stick his head out anymore.

 

Thank you for the suggestions! So you can basically install tougher screens for your bigger dogs into any shell? And it seems like Leer, Snugtop, ARE, and Century are all quality choices, right?

 

Snug Top also offers factory pet screens as an option. You can also get a fold down front window, though it seems like it would be simple enough to have sliders in both the cab and the shell and make a small boot if you want to leave it open. The crawl through rubber boots where you remove the rear window will trash the paint on the back of your cab over time.

 

That's exactly what we just did for our shell. We have a sliding window on the truck and front of the camper shell and it works pretty well for the dogs.

I went to home depot and bought a 3/4 inch, 4 foot long piece of pipe insulation for 4$ and created a donut that smashes in between the camper and truck Windows to seal out wind noise and rain. It's contact with the paint is minimal since it's just big enough to go around the sliding window opening. The dogs just did a 12 hour 750 mile trip in the camper shell with that set up and they loved it.

 

What are you guys using for the bed, for the dogs? OEM mat, generic dog bed, etc.?

 

I have an ARE CX model she'll as well. I have the pet screens and drop down front window for easy cleaning. I use the factory Tacoma rubber bed may with one of those huge Costco pet beds. Both my dogs are happy, ventilated and safe. I also have a spill proof waterbowl and the DIY Home Depot bucket swamp cooler that I hook up to the power outlet on hot days just to keep em extra cool.

 

I had a snug top shell on a gen 1 tacoma and I would never do it again with carpet. I bought the shell used and it came with carpet. Dogs drool and saliva gets inside the shell and since it's carpet...you can't really wash spray it down...at least I didn't think you could. If you get a shell...buy one without carpet or ones that can be washed often.