What's your favorite dog basket/carrier?

Hi everyone! 

I'm looking for recommendations for bringing a small dog along on a possible four hour ride. There will be plenty of stops and we'll be going slow  but I've never taken him with me before. Specialized dog baskets are pretty expensive so I wanted your advice before I invested money in anything.

Originally I wanted a front basket so I could see him but I just bought a new bike with a welded-on basket (Gary Fisher Simple City 8). I can either fashion a way for him to stay in the front basket, buy something for the back or buy a front basket for my old 1970s 3 speed instead. I've looked at the dogone device backpack but that's super dorky looking. I can buy something but I'm also handy and can build and bolt something to extend the front basket. 

I have a 14 pound cockapoo (who's light but long and skinny) I'm looking to bring with me next month's Slow Bicycle Society ride. He lives in the suburbs with my mom but I'll be babysitting him that weekend. Despite not currently living with me he trusts me completely and will get into any carrier I ask him to. I have put him in a very poorly secured basket on my old bicycle's back rack in the past for a short test run on side streets which he sat completely still during and seemed to enjoy.

Here's my pup (for size):


Here's my new bike:


Here's my pup on my old bike. He wanted to sit up and see:


I'd love any advice for a type of basket or general advice on biking with a dog for a longer trip.


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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kathy Schubert 'n Suzy Schnauzer on April 16, 2010 at 8:51am
Everything I have to say on the subject is on this website:
http://kangarooconnection.com/dogsonbicycles.html
I would have preferred a front basket, but weight in the front makes it harder to control your bike.
that's a really nice front basket, but if it's not large enough,try the rear. You'll still have other things you'll carry in the front. It won't go to waste. Contact me a kangarookathy@yahoo.com to discuss anything about carrying your dog.
Permalink Reply by MeganK on April 16, 2010 at 9:02am
Thanks for the link, Kathy. It sounds like riding on the back is recommended. I worry about not seeing him if he's in the back but I guess no one's had this problem. The front basket of my new bike is big enough for him (and rated for 20 lbs) but too shallow. He can be tall when he's sitting up but I'm not sure how tall the basket needs to be. I think a crate on a back rack like your setup would probably work. Here's a better picture of the basket's size I found online (I don't have the bike yet):

Permalink Reply by Pedal To The People on May 5, 2010 at 6:20pm
Just thought I'd share my love for my dog!

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