Sounds like a good system U have; we're all coming at this from diferent perspectives - I realize...
My German Shepherds have always sat 'loud & proud' (de-facto 'shotgun') in the front passenger seat; - should I have two legged passengers they have to ride in the back, lol... Just the way I roll...
(Obviously the dog hair gets all over the cabin so I'm definitely looking for front and rear seat covers)
(Tragically 'Anke Liede' only made it to 7 years due to a congenital heart defect - new pup 'Avita Liebe' from same breeder to come home to me on the 26th)
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Beautiful GSD! Sad for your loss. My family raised them for years, and I had many. Great dogs!
I used to do that but:
1. At 6'6" tall, I've always got my seat pushed to the back limits, and anytime I'm trying to look out the right window to see traffic, I had a big dog blocking the d***ed view. (Dobermans, German Shepherds, and Irish Wolfhounds. Take your pick, each one is the same as a barn door when you're trying to see THRU them, and I've had them all.
2. Friend of mine had his best bud, a Dane, go through the front window in a fender bender, not even a real hard accident. That was a nasty way for the dog to die.
I don't want any of mine to go that way. I don't usually bother with the latch restraints and harness, but at least they have the front row of seats between them and the windshield. They're smaller than us and more easily damaged, even the really big ones.
3. If you think one in the front seat is bad, imagine 4, arguing about who gets the window. I always opt for the bucket seats, and that means only one large dog can even fit up front. And that leads to noisy disagreements I don't want to put up with.
4. The wife doesn't take it well if she opens the pax door and the dog we put in the back is facing back at her from her front seat. You'd think, humans bein' smarter and all, that it would be easier to train the wife. But it isn't.
And speaking of noisy disagreements....
On a side note, I like training my dogs and working with them. It also scares the crap out of morons looking for trouble. Open the back door, quietly say "out, heel," and the dog(s) hop out and sit next to me. Then say "watch 'm." All eyes and ears facing the same direction I am. It seems to knock the wind out of some.
We have Belgian Tervurens now. This is our 3 yr old, a male.
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