Dogs Can Make Great Driving Companions, But They Can Also Cause Crashes: Which Breeds Are The Most Distracting?
Americans love their dogs, with data showing that 68 million U.S. households are home to at least one pooch. Dogs can be wonderful companions, and larger-than-life members of the family – but they can also be deadly.
In 2023, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics, there were 40,901 motor vehicle fatalities. While the majority of those were due to things like drunk driving (12,429), speeding (11,775), and not wearing a seatbelt (10,484), distracted driving caused 3,275 motor vehicle fatalities.
And while distracted driving is synonymous with mobile phone messages and calls, dogs are also a big part of the distracted driving equation.
In this study, we’ll focus on which types of dogs cause more car accidents than others, why it happens, and what can be done to improve the issue.
And we’ll look at various trends around U.S. dog ownership, with statistics making it emphatically clear that dogs are as popular as they’ve ever been.
America: a Dog-Loving Nation
According to study data, 94 million households across the nation own a pet. Millennials (30%) own more pets than other generations, with Baby Boomers and Gen X’ers next up (both 25%) and Gen Z’ers (20%) also owning a significant number of animals. Yet dogs are the most popular type of pet to own, with just under 90 million in the country – one dog for every four people, and at least one in 51% of homes.
While Americans clearly love their pets, they don’t come cheap: 2024 saw a national pet-spend of an estimated $151.9 billion, with a $157 billion spend projected for 2025.
Study data estimates that, of a $1,733 annual average household spend on pets, $1,533 is spent on dogs. That figure comprises numerous costs, including vet appointments, food (including treats), grooming, toys, and medications (plus vitamin supplements). Yet dog owners get plenty in return for this considerable outlay.
Dog Ownership Health Benefits
Dog ownership is about so much more than having fun with a beloved pet – it’s often a key lifestyle element, offering huge physical and mental health benefits.
Dogs ease stress and anxiety by providing daily comfort and companionship, while regular walks and games keep dog owners healthy. For example, over 50% of dog owners get their recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise via their pet. Dogs also offer crucial company to owners who are otherwise alone, with 80% of dog owners reporting that their pet makes them feel less lonely.
And yet, problems often arise when trips out with the dog involve car rides. While some dogs are manageable in such circumstances, over-excitable pets can become a seriously dangerous issue.
Dogs: Seriously Distracting, When You’re Behind The Wheel
Taking a dog along for a car ride can be fun. But it can also be hugely distracting, especially when all your attention is needed on the road, with pet distractions potentially leading to terrible consequences.
The aforementioned 3,275 people killed due to distracted driving across U.S. roads in 2023 represent around 8% of all fatality numbers, with study data revealing that 1 in 4 pet owners admit to using a hand or arm to restrain their pet while braking. Additionally, 19% reported that they had to block their pet from climbing into the front seat during a drive.
Pet-related distractions have been ranked among the top three causes of accidents or near-misses. In a study of older drivers with pets, those who always took their pets along with them on car journeys suffered nearly double the crash rate of those who didn’t.
Additionally, 84% of dog owners who allow their pet along for a ride do so without using a restraint, while 52% of dog-accompanied drivers reported petting their dog while at the wheel, with 17% letting their dog sit on their lap while driving.
Study data confirms that dogs riding in the front passenger seat are far more distracting than those placed in the back, as their proximity increases the likelihood that drivers will interact with them, and inadvertently encourage them to engage in dangerous activity. One example: front-seat airbags pose a serious threat to dogs in a crash, potentially causing fatal injuries, even if the pet is restrained.
There are a few ways you can pre-emptively understand whether or not your dog will make a good passenger. Is your dog relatively calm or high-strung? Has he or she been in the car previously, and if so, how did they behave?
Does your dog suffer from separation anxiety? All of these examples can offer strong clues as to eventual car-trip behavior, with some breeds much more likely to be placidly compliant than others.
Let’s look at how a cross-section of different dog types behave in cars by closely considering 2024’s most and least popular dog breeds in the U.S.
The Most Popular Dog Breeds in the United States
- French Bulldog
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- German Shepherd
- Poodle
- Daschund
- Beagle
- Rottweiler
- Bulldog
- German Shorthaired Pointer
The Least Popular Dog Breeds in The United States
- Bergamesco Sheepdog
- Sussex Spaniel
- Grand Bassett Griffon Vendéen
- Belgian Laekenois
- Harrier
- American Foxhound
- English Foxhound
- Sloughi
- Azawakh
- Norwegian Lundehund
During this study, we’ll rank these breeds according to temperament, size, and trainability to measure their car readiness.
Which of the Popular Breeds Makes the Best Road Companion?
According to the table, comparatively large, highly trainable breeds like the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, and Poodle consistently rank as the most travel-friendly companions. Their calm demeanor and eagerness to follow commands means they’re well-suited for long rides and structured environments.
At the other end of the temperament spectrum, headstrong, smaller breeds like Dachshunds and Beagles, though adorable and full of personality, may represent a huge in-car challenge due to their independence, unpredictability, and how easily distracted they can be.
Brachycephalic (short-snouted, flat-faced) breeds like the Bulldog (including the French Bulldog) also demand extra care, especially in warmer climates, due to potential breathing difficulties.
Ultimately, the characteristics that make for the best canine co-pilot have nothing to do with portability or cuteness. Instead, it’s about striking a balance between temperament, responsiveness, the ability to take and follow simple instructions like “stay,” “sit,” or “down”, and keeping out of your way and your ear while you focus on the road.
How the Least Popular Breeds Rank for Car Compatibility
While these breeds may not top the popularity charts, some are certainly car-friendly companions. Tied for first place were the Bergamasco Sheepdog and the Sussex Spaniel: both of these dogs are calm, easygoing, and will happily sit onboard without making a fuss. Their low-maintenance temperaments and relatively inert habits make them top-tier travel buddies.
The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen, Belgian Laekenois, and Harrier follow closely behind: all are solid, trainable dogs with decent car manners (although their high energy levels may at times be distracting).
Breeds like the Sloughi and English Foxhound rank far lower due to their sensitivity, high stamina, and tendency to become overstimulated in unfamiliar environments.
At the bottom of the list is the quirky and nervous Norwegian Lundehund: an anxious temperament and unpredictable car behavior make it better suited for short trips or slow, steady in-car acclimation.
While popularity may be measured by pet registrations, car readiness is all about temperament, training, and travel tolerance, wherever you live.
So it’s worth thinking more closely about which dog to bring into your home if you plan to take your new pet along on car journeys. As things stand, some potentially very dangerous in-car companions sit high in the popularity rankings across all major regions.
A regional breakdown of America’s most popular dog breeds reveals some shared favorites and also subtle cultural differences across the country.
Labrador Retrievers dominate coast to coast, holding the top spot in the Midwest, West, and parts of the South, largely due to their easygoing temperament, versatility, and family-friendly nature.
Golden Retrievers are especially beloved in the Northeast, where their calm and loyal disposition resonates with suburban and family-focused lifestyles. French Bulldogs are big in the Northeast and West, where their compact size and low-maintenance exercise needs suit city living, and make them easy to pop in and out of the car for regular, routine car journeys.
Other Ways Dogs Pose a Danger in Vehicles
Although dog portability might be a useful attribute, it’s important to remember that allowing your dog to roam freely in a moving vehicle can be far more dangerous than many pet owners realize.
In the event of a crash, an unrestrained dog can become a high-speed projectile. According to Kurgo, a 10-pound dog involved in a 50 mph collision can generate 500 pounds of force: enough to seriously injure both the dog and any human passengers. Larger dogs pose an even greater risk, with an 80-pound dog in a 30 mph crash potentially exerting over 2,400 pounds of force.
Why Restraining Your Dog Is a Good Idea
In addition to contributing to accidents and injuries, unrestrained pets can create additional chaos after a crash. Dogs may flee a vehicle in fear, run into traffic, or interfere with first responders trying to assist injured passengers.
The AVMA notes that pet-related interference during emergencies is a growing concern, particularly when animals are unsecured inside a vehicle. Despite such risks, only 16% of drivers use pet restraints when traveling with their dogs. That means the majority of pets ride unsecured, putting everyone in the vehicle at unnecessary risk.
The simple use of a crash-tested harness, booster seat, or crate can help prevent unnecessary injuries and make the ride much safer for everyone onboard.
Here are some useful products – many of which are approved by the Center for Pet Safety and Car and Driver – that could make all the difference between a safe and potentially fatal car journey with your dog.
- Sleepypod Clickit Sport Harness
- Kurgo Tru-Fit Enhanced Strength Harness
- EzyDog Drive Harness
- K&H Bucket Booster Pet Seat (for smaller dogs)
- Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed
- Enventur Inflatable Travel Kennel
- AUBELL Adjustable Dog Seat Belt
- Kurgo Auto Zipline
- Pet Car Barrier with Mesh Organizer
- Henry Wag Pet Car Hammock
Yet, even with the right harness, there are still other things you’ll potentially need to consider, depending on the type of journey you’re anticipating.
Other Things for Dog Owners to Consider
Even if your dog is nicely and safely strapped in for the ride, he or she may still find a car journey to be an ordeal, particularly if it’s longer than they’re used to. As such, they may experience motion sickness, which can lead to drooling, vomiting, and general discomfort.
Anxiety is another common issue, particularly if your dog dislikes unscheduled car rides or unfamiliar environments. Bathroom breaks become more complicated, as not all rest stops feature pet-friendly areas (some dogs may refuse to go in strange surroundings).
Beyond car travel (if you’re on a really long journey with overnight stops), you’ll also need to think about where you’re staying—many hotels and rentals won’t accommodate dogs, and those that do may charge extra fees.
And, risks like extreme heat in parked cars or perpetual traffic noise can make road trips overwhelming and even dangerous for some dogs. In short, taking a dog on a long trip often requires much more planning and precaution than you may expect.
Other Non-Dog-Related Distractions Behind the Wheel
While pets can pose a unique in-car distraction, the most common distractions while driving in the U.S. are mobile phones, in-vehicle tech, and cognitive overload.
Alarmingly, research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAA) shows that drivers interacting with infotainment systems (such as navigation or music apps) can result in 40-second periods during which drivers are not watching the road, long enough to travel half a mile at 45 mph.
Even seemingly harmless habits like eating, applying makeup, or reaching for dropped items can kill. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data suggest that nine people are killed and over 1,000 are injured every day in the U.S. due to distracted driving accidents.
Cognitive distraction (when a driver is mentally focused on something other than driving, such as a conversation or a personal issue) is harder to measure but represents a serious danger, especially when combined with physical distractions. And the rise of “attention fatigue,” when a driver’s brain disengages from the road due to prolonged highway monotony, is another under-discussed risk that compounds and complicates distracted driving.
The NHTSA reports that sending or reading a text completely diverts a driver’s attention from the road for five seconds. At 55 mph, that’s equivalent to driving the length of a football field while wearing a blindfold.
Generally, drivers who use a phone while driving are four times more likely to crash, and nearly one in three U.S. drivers admit to using their phone regularly while driving.
Car passengers can also create high-pressure situations. Involving or potentially fractious conversations, children demanding attention, or even someone unexpectedly changing the music can all distract a driver from the road. According to AAA data, passengers are responsible for nearly 15% of distracted driving crashes, and teens driving with friends are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than during a solo drive.
Even emotional distractions like stress from work or running late can impair judgment, while a distracted, overloaded mind can reduce reaction time and spatial awareness.
That’s why experts suggest drivers take a moment to decompress and recalibrate before setting off in their car so they can switch mental gears, silence non-urgent notifications, set GPS routes ahead of time, and pull over if emotions begin to overwhelm.
Making Car Journeys With Dogs Safer for All Occupants
With dogs in 94 million American homes and over $150 billion set to be spent on pet care by the end of 2025, it’s clear that dogs are a core part of American life.
And since dogs provide such a crucial role for so many millions of Americans, they surely deserve a safe seat when heading out onto the road, just as all human occupants deserve the safest possible car journey with their dogs.
By understanding the easiest breeds to train, as well as your dog’s temperament and suitability for arduous journeys, and by investing in the right restraint system, you can go a long way to ensuring every car journey with your beloved pet never becomes a tragedy.
At DeMayo, we love dogs, but we also know how dangerous they can be when taken along for a ride. If you’ve suffered any personal injuries due to distracting dogs, get in touch with us today.
