Le Noof's teddy travel beds bring a considered, plush finish to the road trip.
Luxury dog car seats are no longer a contradiction in terms, and Le Noof is the clearest proof, with teddy travel beds made for owners who treat the drive as part of the holiday. The designer dog brand's teddy travel car beds come in two sizes and four colors, and each one opens flat once you arrive.
Most dogs ride with very little thought given to it. An AAA survey reported in 2011 found that 52% of those surveyed admitted to petting their dog while driving, and just 16% used a pet restraint [1]. A fitted travel seat gives a dog a defined, comfortable place to settle, which is where the idea of a luxury travel bed starts.
The travel bed comes in two sizes. Medium (20.9 by 18.5 inches) suits small dogs. Large (35.4 by 20.5 inches) suits medium-sized dogs, or two small dogs traveling together. Both have 10.6-inch sides and a 17.3-inch back. If your dog is between sizes, Le Noof recommends sizing up.
The cover is plush teddy fabric (100% polyester, 440gsm) over recycled fiber filling, with side pockets for essentials, a non-slip bottom and a removable, machine-washable zip cover. It comes in beige, brown, grey and black, from $199.
The built-in safety strap helps limit movement while driving, and Le Noof is clear that it does not guarantee protection in an accident. That candor is worth noting. The Center for Pet Safety reported in 2013 that the United States had no performance standards or test protocols for pet travel products, so manufacturers' own crash claims could not be substantiated [2]. If crash-tested protection is the goal, ask for independent data. For comfort and containment on the road, a considered travel bed is a good start.
Because the bed opens flat, it works well outside the vehicle, from a hotel suite to a friend's living room. It arrives rolled and vacuum-packed and needs up to 72 hours to reach its full shape, so unpack it a few days before departure.
The destination may be luxury, but the journey can be too, and that is the case for luxury dog car seats.
[1] "Dogs dangerously distract drivers, study finds", dvm360, reporting an AAA survey (2011). https://www.dvm360.com/view/dogs-dangerously-distract-drivers-study-finds
[2] Center for Pet Safety announcement via Subaru of America, "Study Shows Many Pet Car Safety Restraints To Be Unsafe" (October 2, 2013). https://media.subaru.com/pressrelease/490/study-shows-many-pet-car-safety-restraints-unsafe
