Camping with your LARGE family dog!

[ram101]

Was wondering if there is anyone that takes along their large dogs on vacation to WDW. We have a 14month old St Bernard (110lbs) who would love to come with us but we don't know if we should! To board him here would cost a fortune and he would be so far away. I know they have kennels at FW but are they big enough for him or should we consider keeping him in the motorhome while we are at the parks. We would love to hear from anyone with large K9s and how they do it.
Thank you in advance for your help!

[Colson39]

I've never seen a St. Bernard but I have seen some rather large dogs at the campgrounds, and most people seem to have little problem dealing with them. If you don't think he would have any problem being in your motorhome, I don't see why it would be a problem.

I'm not sure if there is a limit on size at the campgrounds (or the kennels for that matter), although I don't ever remember hearing of any.

[ftwildernessguy]

The kennels are able to accommodate dogs of all sizes, should you wish to use their services.

[AuburnJen92]

I saw a guy a couple of weeks ago with not one, but two great danes in the pet loop. He was in a fifth wheel. More power to him!

[Donna]

One question....how big is your motorhome?
the guy next to us at cedar point, had a 40 ft. Class A and had a bull mastiff! - 150 lbs.!!!

[ram101]

Mastiff and great Danes were also dogs we looked at but we went with the Saint. DW still wants a big dog! Says Rohan is only a medium size!! :eek:.
We have a 31' Coachman Santara MH.

[mickeymouse1017]

We take our dogs with us on every disney vacation and have never had any troubles. We take my DD2 back to the motorhome during the day for a nap and that gives us time to walk the dogs and let them get out for a little while. Our 100 lb golden retriever just passed away but he went on every trip during his 10 years. We now take our other two dogs, a 60 lb mix and a 40 lb mix. They love the campground and getting to meet other disney dogs.pluto:

[terri01p]

Start taking your dog camping now, and he will soon love it...I think your dog will be just fine, a church member has a St. Bernard and she said he's the best camping dog, he loves to go and stays in their tt. The first time they were gone though he found out that he could look out the bedroom window so whenever they came back he had the shades pulled down and had licked the window down..hehehe. I say take him with you, I've seen MANY big dogs at FW whenever we were there, you won't be alone.

[ftwildernessguy]

As soon as Mickey the Wonder Beagle sees the suitcases being packed, he is gathering his toys and sitting by the truck door so he doesn't get left. Our Yorkie was the same way. I don't know what it is about dogs and camping, but boy do they love it.

[Colson39]

It's the Kungaloosh.

[ftwildernessguy]

It's the Kungaloosh.

:thumbsup2 Gotta be - or the Muddy Water.

[loveDmouse]

As soon as Mickey the Wonder Beagle sees the suitcases being packed, he is gathering his toys and sitting by the truck door so he doesn't get left. Our Yorkie was the same way. I don't know what it is about dogs and camping, but boy do they love it.

Our yellow lab LOVES camping too. When she sees you even touch the door to the motorhome she starts barking like "hey don't forget me". And when she starts seeing her stuff going in she goes nuts. She is just crazy about it. (Which is good cause she is the reason we decided to get a motorhome- so we could travel more with her) :thumbsup2

[loveDmouse]

It's the Kungaloosh.

Ok, I know I will probably feel really dumb for asking but what is that? :confused3

[Donna]

Mastiff and great Danes were also dogs we looked at but we went with the Saint. DW still wants a big dog! Says Rohan is only a medium size!! :eek:.
We have a 31' Coachman Santara MH.


Saints are such nice dogs! slobbery, but nice lol! I work in Petsmart Grooming Salon and work on all types of dogs, both big and small.
You should be fine in that size RV. We have our 90 lb. golden in our 31 foot leprechaun. We keep the blinds down during the day, tv on for her enjoyment (lol) and maybe a treat in her Kong to keep her busy. She gets more exercise on these camping trips than she does at home! We say to her "let's go get the RV" and she runs to the door! Since having DVC, we don't do the parks commando style and we will be back at the Fort every day after a few hours in the park.

mickeymouse1017: so sorry to hear of your golden's passing. I know they are a big presence in our lives and i'm sure yours will be missed greatly. I worked on a golden the other day that was 14 and that gave me hope that they CAN live long! I still miss my cocker spaniel, ashlea (see avatar). :sad1:

[Rhonda]

Ok, I know I will probably feel really dumb for asking but what is that? :confused3

It's a specialty drink at the Adventurer's Club on Pleasure Island. Some campers have perfected it, and make it at their campsite! :thumbsup2

[iradi8]

We have two Golden Retrievers -- one is 110 lbs and the other is 125 lbs. We have a 40' 5th wheel toy hauler -- the garage area is perfect for them when it rains and they have wet/muddy paws. Most of the time they have the run of the camper.

We leave them in the camper with the radio and a/c on while we are gone. We come back around 1-3pm to walk them and hang out with them a bit and then go back to the parks.

[loveDmouse]

It's a specialty drink at the Adventurer's Club on Pleasure Island. Some campers have perfected it, and make it at their campsite! :thumbsup2

Thanks for the info. I take it they are good? Maybe I should try one out then. :thumbsup2

[Colson39]

ftWildernessGuy will vouch for how good they are ;)

[ftwildernessguy]

I find my version of the Kungaloosh quite refreshing after a long, hot day at the parks. Fruity, icy, not too sweet - a delightful adult beverage. Muddy Water, while smooth and easy going down, packs quite a kick and is best left in the jungle of Nicaraugua where it originated. Besides, the recipe is both intriguing and mysterious.

[loveDmouse]

I think in December I will have to try one of those drinks. Sounds good!

I just wish December would come on already. Geeeeeez!


We might start making this an annual trip so maybe next time we can start bringing our yellow lab. I just hated to leave her for to long at a time. Although she will probably be just fine. She will nap most of the time.

[jennifer293]

We have a 26ft TT, a 6 yr old, a 3 yr old, a dalmation (that weighs about 75 lbs) and Dh and myself. We haven't been to the Fort yet, but we do take Lucy with us camping. She just celebrated her 11th b-day yesterday actually so she probably won't go to the Fort with us because I don't think she could make that long of a trip. When she is in the camper I put her fav. blanket on the sofa and that is where she stays unless she is out to potty. She has a bad leg so she doesn't do much walking or running anymore.:sad1:

[auntie]

As soon as Mickey the Wonder Beagle sees the suitcases being packed, he is gathering his toys and sitting by the truck door so he doesn't get left. Our Yorkie was the same way. I don't know what it is about dogs and camping, but boy do they love it.


The camping..yes..the car ride..not so much.
We have a 10 month old Sheltie...and his first camping trip was last week. I was hoping he was "over" his car sickness stage. W-R-O-N-G. :sad2: While he loved the trailer and the campground..it's the getting there and back thats an issue. Four pukes on the way there..and one puke on the way home.:scared1: Vet told me to give him dramamine...that worked for about an hour..and then...well..you get the idea. :rolleyes1
Our last Sheltie was 13 when he passed last summer,and he LOVED the car and the trips..so this was quite a change for us.
Poor pup..I felt so bad for him. He's okay for a quick ride in the neighborhood..but longer than that and it gets pretty messy.
Calling the vet tomorrow to ask about a new medication that is supposed to be available..which I wonder why they didn't suggest to begin with. We shall see.

[ftwildernessguy]

I feel your pain. The biggest problem we have is talking over all of Mickey's snoring coming from the back seat.

[OK GRUMPY]

I feel your pain. The biggest problem we have is talking over all of Mickey's snoring coming from the back seat.

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:
Thats to funny

[ldubberly]

We have a Saint too, they are GREAT dogs (ours is a tight lip, so he doesn't slobber). He did go camping with us two years ago and he loved it. We brought too many kids the last couple of times, so we left him with grandpa in Kissimmee. The kennel in FW does have big enough spaces for them, but if he is a spoiled dog like ours, he may feel like he is in prison. There are at least 2 Saints that stay regularly at the kennel, one is named Tinkerbell, and we have seen a couple of Newfoundlands there as well.

[ram101]

Now ours does slobber a bit...mostly at dinner time and after a drink...but it's not that much!! My girls hate it when they get his slobber on them...they want to get a bath right away!!! They like to be clean...guess thats better then fighting to get them in a tub!!
Do they keep the Saints and Newfies inside in the AC or on outside runs?

Thank you all for your info and help...

[ldubberly]

Now ours does slobber a bit...mostly at dinner time and after a drink...but it's not that much!! My girls hate it when they get his slobber on them...they want to get a bath right away!!! They like to be clean...guess thats better then fighting to get them in a tub!!
Do they keep the Saints and Newfies inside in the AC or on outside runs?

Thank you all for your info and help...


All of the animals are kept inside in the ac at the kennels. They don't walk them for you, you have to agree to come back and do that yourself.

[poohbearwithme]

The camping..yes..the car ride..not so much.
We have a 10 month old Sheltie...and his first camping trip was last week. I was hoping he was "over" his car sickness stage. W-R-O-N-G. :sad2: While he loved the trailer and the campground..it's the getting there and back thats an issue. Four pukes on the way there..and one puke on the way home.:scared1: Vet told me to give him dramamine...that worked for about an hour..and then...well..you get the idea. :rolleyes1


We had a dog with the same problem. The Dramamine does work but you need to give it to them about 1 hour to 30 minutes minimum before you leave. Another thing is take lots of short trips without the dramamine. Like start with going around the block once then work up to about until about 2 or 3 times around. Then when he/she gets up to about 3 times around then go on short trips around town, like when you run your errands. Minimize the water before and during any trip. The water moving around in the tummy makes it worse. Do not feed him at least 2 to 4 hours before leaving. If he/she is kennel trained (this advice is for kennel trained dogs ONLY) get a travel kennel for the vehicle and put him/her in that while traveling. This relives some stress. Do not feed him/her during the trip (if a one day trip). If the trip is 2 or more days feed a minimum amount to him/her when you stop for the day but understand that he/she might have an upset tummy and might not eat for a couple of hours besure to remove the food bowl before you go to bed. If you are still doing the Dramamine give it to him/her before your breakfast. Remember that you have minimized the water so don't subject the dog to a great deal of heat. Our dog no longer gets car sick, no longer needs Dramamine and is always ready to GO. This method does take about a month or more but be patience. Some dogs take to car travel from get-go others take a little more effort.

[ftwildernessguy]

All of the animals are kept inside in the ac at the kennels.

There are several outdoor runs available if you have an outdoor dog. They are undercover and have ceiling fans for additional ventilation.

[rzcamper]

We travel with an Old English Sheepdog, and were just at the fort this last week. He dosn't like the fire works so we need to leave the tv on during the MK show. As others have said the stay is ok its just the traveling that can upset him. We have a 31 foot C class with a single slide.