If you’re looking for the best French Bulldog car seat products, you’re in the right place. Scroll down a little to see the most highly rated harnesses, booster seats, and belts to make your Frenchie’s car experience that much safer and comfortable.
Whilst there are no available statistics on how many dogs are injured in car accidents, you can bet your life it’s a significant number. After all, research by a leading automobile association shows that 80% of dog owners travel with their pet in the car.
Did You Know? In a car accident, the average sized French Bulldog can be propelled at 1,120 pounds of impact force. That weight can kill not just the dog, but also passengers.
That’s why it’s so important to make sure your French Bulldog is properly harnessed and seated in your car. It’s also illegal in the UK and some US states to not have your dog properly restrained whilst driving.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at all the different options available for a French Bulldog car seat. In the guide below you can see the various French Bulldog car seats, all of which will keep you on the right side of the law but more importantly your furry friend safe.
What is the best dog car seat for a French Bulldog?
Before I show my recommendations, please note that I’ve given you a few options here which are best suited to the type of vehicle you drive.
1. Best Frenchie car seat with the highest reviews
It ticks all the boxes I would want in a French Bulldog car booster seat with an elevated view, adjustable security leashes, washable materials, a one-year warranty, and it’s just the right size for our breed.
What you get
Here are the key features.
- Fits in front and back seats? Yes
- Washable cover? Yes
- Elevated view? Yes
- Dual security belts? Yes
- Collapses down? No
- Comfort features: 3-inch foam cushioning
2. Best Frenchie car seats that’s easy to store
You simply fold it down after use and pull it out when needed. It’s very secure and even let’s you attach a belt to your Frenchie’s own harness or collar. It’s not the most comfortable so you’re probably going to want to put a little cushion in it too.
What you get
Here are the key features.
- Fits in front and back seats? Yes
- Washable cover? Yes
- Elevated view? No
- Dual security belts? Yes
- Collapses down? Yes
- Comfort features: comes with a free fleece blanket
3. Best Frenchie car seat for comfort
It comes in a range of colors to suit your car’s trim and connects to your vehicle’s seat belt for peace of mind and security.
What you get
Here are the key features.
- Fits in front and back seats? Yes
- Washable cover? Yes (but inner core foam too large for a washing machine)
- Elevated view? Yes
- Dual security belts? No
- Collapses down? No
- Comfort features: lamb’s wool and quality foam
4. Best Frenchie car seat that is cheap
To fit this Frenchie car booster seat, you have to thread the top strap around the seat’s headrest. It doesn’t clip into the seat belts like some of the other options do.
What you get
Here are the key features.
- Fits in front and back seats? Yes (as long as you have headrests)
- Washable cover? Yes
- Elevated view? Yes
- Dual security belts? No
- Collapses down? Yes
- Comfort features: quilted lining and microsuede
5. Best Frenchie car harness
However, please do weigh your Frenchie before you buy, as there are quite a few different sizes here depending on how large your furry friend is.
How to choose the right car seat for your French Bulldog
There are a number of factors I think are important when choosing a belt and booster seat for your French Bulldog. Read these before making your choice from the best dog car seats I listed above.
The safety considerations
The most important aspect by far will be how safe your Frenchie will be once harnessed into the seat and car. There are two things to consider here:
- How well the booster seat clips into your seats; both rear and front.
- How well the seat will restrain your Frenchie when driving.
The best booster seats will have adjustable harnesses or leashes with them that safely restrain your dog. You also need to choose a seat that securely attaches to your existing seat belts, or even come with an extra belt that you can further secure to the seat’s headrest.
Comfort and size
Your Frenchie will only adapt to the seat belt and harness if they are comfortable and calm. You need to make sure that any seat lets them still have another room to position themselves either lying down or sitting up.
If it’s too small, your Frenchie will feel anxious, so needs the freedom to be able to move about into a comfortable position.
You might also want to consider a Frenchie booster seat that is high enough to let your pup look out of the window. Whilst this is a nice to have, it’s not 100% necessary, and this view can even make some dogs car sick.
Handy Hint: Find out how you can reduce your French Bulldog’s car sickness in this guide to Frenchie car riding. It also includes details on the law regarding driving with dogs in the UK and United States.
Ease of use and storage
We’ve all got those gadgets and accessories that we use the once and then never use again because they are just such a pain to set-up. Dog car seats can be like this… and that’s why you should choose a French bulldog car seat harness that’s simple to assemble and pack away again.
The best French bulldog car seat is one that you can easily fold up to put away, and clip in with buckles to make safe.
Don’t choose cheap. The lower priced ones are notorious for not just being low quality and not lasting long but will also be cumbersome to use and not that practical to store.
Why dog car seats and harnesses are so important
Earlier I mentioned how up to 80% of dog owners travel with their pet in the car. Of those people, 84% of them don’t restrain their dog safely while driving.
A further 20% of dog owners say they have been distracted by their dog when driving. Example include their dog trying to climb into the front seat of the car, with owners having to take their hands from the wheel.
This is highly dangerous and even illegal in some US states as well as the UK. You can read more about the law in my guide to French Bulldogs and car riding.
But what about the reality of having a car accident with your Frenchie not being belted or harnessed into a seat?
Well, the facts make for sobering reading.
The CNN website says that in a car accident at 30 miles an hour, a small 10-pound dog can transform into 300 pounds of pressure. If your French Bulldog isn’t in a car seat or harness, imagine the damage that could to not just your dog, but also the driver and passenger?
The Allianz website say that a dog can be propelled forwards at 40 times its weight. With the average French Bulldog weighing in at 28 pounds, that could equate to 1,120 pounds of impact force. That’s enough to kill.
It doesn’t really bear thinking about does it?
These statistics alone should be enough to encourage you to buy a French Bulldog car seat belt or harness this year.
How to get your Frenchie used to a car seat
The first time you strap your French Bulldog into his new seat will be a challenge for both you and him, particularly if he’s used to having free roam of your vehicle.
When we first used a harness with Claude, we got him used to it in the same way we do his transport crate for taking him to the vets… here’s how we did it:
- A few days before your car trip, take your French Bulldog’s normal bed away, and leave the new car booster seat in its place in your home.
- Let your French Bulldog sleep in his car seat for 3 days or so at home. This will get him used to the smells and sensation of being in it.
- On the day of your first car journey, place the seat in your car with a couple of your Frenchie’s favorite treats and toys in it.
- During the first car journey, continually talk to your Frenchie in a calm voice.
- At the end of the car journey, reward your Frenchie with another treat.
These steps will reinforce positive behavior and memories, and over time your French Bulldog should jump up into the car seat with no encouragement needed.
Conclusion
Whilst there aren’t any available statistics on how many dogs die in car accidents each year, we do know how dangerous it can be for both them and you when a crash occurs… even at very low speeds.
There is also legislation in many US states and the also the whole of the UK that say you are not allowed to drive with an un-restrained dog.
Putting those factors together, plus the desire to keep your car clean of hair, there’s never been a better time to invest in a car seat or harness for your Frenchie.