Carrying a dog on a Rivendell

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joest...@gmail.com

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Dec 15, 2025, 2:20:31 PM (7 days ago) Dec 15
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I'll be bringing home a puppy at the end of January, and I hope to bring the dog along with me on some bicycle adventures! She's a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, and will be in the neighborhood of 40-45lbs when full grown.

I did some searching to see if I could find any photos or stories of folks successfully toting their medium sized dogs along on their Riv, but didn't come up with anything. I have a 2024 54cm Appaloosa, so it's got a pretty long rear end which makes me feel like it would MAYBE be capable of hauling a dog in a crate on a rear rack, similar to a rear load style cargo bike.

I'm curious to hear if anyone here has stories or photos of trying something similar. Thanks!

tom butcherboy

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Dec 15, 2025, 3:20:17 PM (7 days ago) Dec 15
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Extreme Caution advised..

Lucia Matioli

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Dec 15, 2025, 3:44:53 PM (7 days ago) Dec 15
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I have had my pup on my riv and use a k9 sport sack. I have a Frenchie who is super top heavy. 
It’s been a great way to take her with me and I can only imagine what she’s thinking. They have reinforcement tabs that keep her and the zipper secured. 

She loves it!

Lucia Matioli
Sr Creative Consultant
              
   





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Lucia Matioli

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Dec 15, 2025, 3:46:53 PM (7 days ago) Dec 15
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Also since her body is dwarfed I got the booster block and that helps her sit up more “normally” in the carrier. 

Brady Smith

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Dec 15, 2025, 4:05:47 PM (7 days ago) Dec 15
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40-45 pounds seems a bit large for any conventional bike, even with a mellow temperament. 

My 9 pound rat terrier fits nicely in a rando bag. 

My 18 pound Jack Russell refused to be contained by the generous basket on front of my Yuba Kombi. I now have an Urban Arrow e-cargo bike that works much better. 

If you're serious about riding a 45 pound dog on a bike, you may need to add another bike to your stable. 

Guy Jett

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Dec 15, 2025, 4:16:06 PM (7 days ago) Dec 15
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American Kennel Club lists an adult female weight between 35 and 50 pounds with a height of 20 to 22 inches (I think that's at the shoulder but the AKC is not specific on measuring height).  That's a lot of weight to be carrying high on a rack!  Plus it adds a difficulty in swinging you leg over the top tube to mount and dismount.

Would you consider a trailer?
GAJett

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Collin A

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Dec 15, 2025, 4:36:29 PM (7 days ago) Dec 15
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I've had success with a 30 lb doodle...but in a trailer. Loads of smiles whenever I ride around with her!
IMG_2550.jpg

40 lbs (live load, not dead) is going to be very precarious on a bike. Regardless of what you try, start the exposure early and reward often.

Collin in Oakland
On Monday, December 15, 2025 at 11:20:31 AM UTC-8 Joe from Chicago wrote:

Glen

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Dec 15, 2025, 4:46:16 PM (7 days ago) Dec 15
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I used a Walkydog with my last dog, a 60 pound shepherd mix who needed to be run and I just don't run. 

I ran her with my Atlantis fitted with albatross bars and was well known in the neighborhood as the guy who rides with the red dog. 

I'd wait for your new pup to grow some before running, consult with your vet on when she can start running. The bonus is you'll never have to trim her nails. 

Good luck with your new puppy. 

Brian Turner

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Dec 15, 2025, 5:08:45 PM (7 days ago) Dec 15
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He's a bit too old to go on bike adventures now, but our 45 lb aussie loved riding in his Burley Tail Wagon. It has lots of nice features and folds up kinda flat-ish for storage.

Brian
Lexington KY

Guy Jett

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Dec 15, 2025, 5:17:30 PM (7 days ago) Dec 15
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Re. running a dog while bike riding.
I remember coming up a woman riding on a paved bike trail in a remote area near Bakersfield, CA.  She had her dog on a leash forward and to the right of her bicycle.  Then a jackrabbit sped right to left across the trail about 10 feet in front of the dog. 

I expected a horrible crash with the dog bolting across the bike's path to chase the rabbit.  Instead the dog hesitated for about 1/2 a second before proceeding straight ahead, ignoring the rabbit.  Whew!

As I rode past I simply said to the lady, "What a well trained dog you have!"
GAJett


Guy

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Joe from Chicago

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Dec 18, 2025, 12:47:46 PM (4 days ago) Dec 18
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Thanks for all of the info everyone! It's a lot to consider. I was hoping to find some clever way to carry a dog ON the bike, but alas - maybe it's finally time to get a cargo bike.

Mackenzy Albright

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Dec 18, 2025, 1:35:07 PM (4 days ago) Dec 18
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My bff has a dog, Lupin, who's about 30-35lbs. She's has him ride in a basket on the rear on her VO Campeur occasionally for errands. It's definitely a bit cramped but workable to run to the park or grocer as he has to sit. He's ridden more at length in a Crust Clydesdale with a basket and a bike trailer as well (same basket). I think his preference is the Clydesdale. I am sure he prefers being able to make eye contact and see what's going on better. All in all I think he was just always happy to be included! 

IMG_20200502_132806.jpg

Hoch in UT

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Dec 21, 2025, 1:35:57 PM (yesterday) Dec 21
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I’d also suggest a trailer. We were good with a front basket but our dog weighs 9lbs 😂

IMG_0119.jpeg

Robert Remer

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Dec 21, 2025, 1:37:04 PM (yesterday) Dec 21
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I too would be really interested in any solutions here.  I have a 25 lb  rat terrier who is on the leggier side that I would love to join me on my Atlantis.  
Backpacks don’t work.   

Thanks. 
Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 15, 2025, at 2:20 PM, joest...@gmail.com <joest...@gmail.com> wrote:

I'll be bringing home a puppy at the end of January, and I hope to bring the dog along with me on some bicycle adventures! She's a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, and will be in the neighborhood of 40-45lbs when full grown.


I did some searching to see if I could find any photos or stories of folks successfully toting their medium sized dogs along on their Riv, but didn't come up with anything. I have a 2024 54cm Appaloosa, so it's got a pretty long rear end which makes me feel like it would MAYBE be capable of hauling a dog in a crate on a rear rack, similar to a rear load style cargo bike.

I'm curious to hear if anyone here has stories or photos of trying something similar. Thanks!

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Brian Forsee

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11:27 AM (6 hours ago) 11:27 AM
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I'd agree with some other comments here that 45lb is really pushing it on any kind of standard rack. Cargo fork i.e. cyldesdale maybe. 

I have a 75lb german shepard, so using a rack was never an option in my mind. We started out in the Burly Tail Wagon trailer, and once he got the hang of that and i confirmed he enjoyed it I got an Omnium cargo bike almost specifically for carrying him and my other large dog. I have come to use it for much more than that though. 
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