I bought my first dog stroller in 2016 when my miniature Dachshund Gretel suffered a back injury and was diagnosed with IVDD.
Since then, I have owned several dog strollers and have tried many more at pet industry trade shows.
In this article, I share some of the criteria I use to evaluate strollers for my Dachshund and highlight my favorite picks.
What I Look for When Choosing a Stroller for My Dachshund
While many dog strollers look the same, they are not all made the same. Literally.
In my experience, the majority of dog strollers are manufactured outside of the US and the quality, stability, durability can vary widely.
The features of most dog strollers are similar, but there are definitely some important variations.
When I evaluate a dog stroller, these are the things that matter most to me:
- Weight capacity of the stroller (limits dog size)
- Maneuverability (largely related to the number and size of the wheels) and off-road capabilities
- Is it stable enough that it won’t fall over and cause my dog to fall out?
- Does it have shocks for a soft ride?
- Are the wheels made of plastic or rubber? Are they air filled?
- Do the wheels swivel and can you lock any of them in place?
- Is there a tether inside? One or two?
- Portability – how much space does it take up when folded?
- Can it be locked in the folding position?
- Is there a pad inside? Is it comfortable and removable to wash?
- Does the basket cover close using a zipper latch?
- Height of handle/adjustability
- Is there a functional storage basket?
- What accessories come with it? What can be purchased separately? (rain cover, cup holder, etc.)
- What is the warranty/return policy?
How Much Does a Dog Stroller Cost?
In my experience, dog strollers cost around $80 USD on the low end and $400 USD on the high end, although you will find a few that are less or more expensive.
In my opinion, paying more than $400 for a dog stroller is ridiculous.
There are plenty of functional, fashionable, quality dog strollers on the market under $400.
As for buying a “cheap” stroller, beware, as you get what you pay for.
A few months ago, I flew with one of my Dachshunds and needed a stroller that was lighter weight and more compact than the one I currently have.
Since I already have a nice, robust stroller, I looked for a budget option.
I purchased 3 different dog strollers that were around $100 each.
Two had defects that rendered them unusable. One – the one I list below – worked but was still not a well-functioning stroller.
Common problems with cheap dog strollers are:
- Wheels that don’t actually work (squeak, don’t contact ground, drag, don’t roll)
- Fabric that constantly hangs up when folding
- Having to figure out how to secure when folded (no lock)
- Thin fabric that tears or punctures easily
- If you order from Amazon, a common problem is that the product that is sent is not the one pictured
If you are looking for a good deal on a quality dog stroller, choose a stroller and wait for a sale, check Amazon Warehouse for a gently used model, or buy from an online marketplace like Facebook marketplace or Offerup.
Best Dog Strollers for Dachshunds
Disclosure: Many of the links on this pate are affiliate links (Amazon Associate or other programs we participate in). As an affiliate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
These are my favorite strollers based on personal experience.
All of these strollers:
- Collapse for storage and transport
- Accommodate a dog of 20 lbs or more
- Are stable under normal use and supporting under the recommended weight
- Have at least one safety tether inside
- Have a storage basket under the pet compartment
- Are under $400 as of this writing
1) Pet Gear NV No Zip Jogger
The PetGear NV no zip jogger is the first stroller I bought back in 2016.
Seven years later, it’s still going strong, although it is starting to show some wear.
I love this stroller because:
- It has shocks and air filled wheels for a smooth ride
- The front wheel swivels, but can be locked into place if needed
- The top closes with a latch instead of a zipper
- There is a metal frame around the opening so it doesn’t sag
- The pad inside is a plush, bolstered bed
Things I don’t like about the stroller are:
- It takes up a lot of space, even when folded (it almost fills the cargo area of my SUV)
- The cargo basket underneath is difficult to access when there is a dog in the stroller
- The cup holder is not deep enough to securely hold a drink
I will also note that the one significant thing to fail in the 7 years that I have owned it is the latch to close the top of the “cabin”.
I can still close the top but it won’t securely latch anymore.
I have not reached out to the company to see if the part can be replaced or repaired.
However, I have reached out to customer service before and they were near impossible to get ahold of.
I fit 4 miniature Dachshunds in this stroller but it was very cramped. It’s a good thing they were friends!
Stroller weight: 27 lbs
Max capacity: 75 lbs
Cost: average $220-280
Average Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
Purchase on Amazon.
2) HPZ™ Pet Rover Run Performance Jogging Sports Stroller
The HPZ™ PET ROVER RUN Performance Jogging Sports Stroller was intended to replace my PetGear NV no zip jogger.
It’s a similar style and I had heard great things about the brand.
It has a larger “cabin” for the dogs, although this can be a drawback if you are using it for a Dachshund when recovering from IVDD and you don’t want them moving or jostling around.
Reasons I love this stroller are:
- It has two tethers inside instead of one
- The handle height is adjustable, and the handle is leather wrapped, for my comfort
- The stroller can be folded and unfolded in just seconds with one hand only, so you can open or close it effortlessly (manufacturer claim – I haven’t tried that feature yet)
- It has air filled wheels for a smooth ride
- The frame is made of rigid yet light-weight anodized aluminum alloys that won’t rust
- It’s also worth noting that there is a flip-down front lip, which allows some dogs to easily enter and exit the stroller without assistance from a human (although I won’t be using this feature).
What I don’t like about the stroller is that it’s almost too big for a Dachshund – especially a miniature.
Since a Dachshund in recovery from a back injury is not supposed to move around much, this extra space is not needed and can allow too much movement.
This issue can be solved by stuffing the pet compartment full of pillows and blankets to limit excessive movement though.
Other things I don’t like about this stroller are:
- The larger size makes it challenging to maneuver through some doorways
- It takes up as much or more space in the cargo area of my SUV than the Pet Gear NV No Zip stroller
I fit two miniature Dachshunds and one small standard in the stroller and there was room to spare.
Stroller weight: 27 lbs
Max capacity: 50 lbs
Cost: average: $365-400 USD
Average Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
Purchase on the Pet Rover website or Amazon.
3) Ibiyaya CLEO Travel System Pet Stroller
The Ibiyaya CLEO pet stroller is different from the other two above because it’s a 3-in-1 system (dog stroller, pet carrier, and dog seat).
When the pet cabin is attached, it’s a stroller similar in form and function to most pet strollers.
However, the cabin can be detached from the frame and used as a carrier or dog seat in the car. This feature is the primary reason I would choose this stroller over another.
The goal for a Dachshund recovering from IVDD is to move them as little as possible.
The detachable basket would allow a Dachshund to be carried to the car, be buckled in, and be pushed into the vet’s office all while laying flat in a comfortable “bed”.
This carrier can supposedly be buckled into the seat in some cars but I have a mid-size SUV and had to buy a seatbelt extender to make it work.
Other reasons I love this stroller are:
- The basket closes with magnetic latches instead of a zipper
- The canopy can be opened from the front or back
- It folds down flatter than most because you remove the cabin before you fold it down
- There are two safety tethers inside
- You can adjust the height of the handlebar
- The two front wheels swivel or can be locked in place
- It comes with a removable hanging bag for your personal and pet items (I use my own though because I find it to be too small)
- It’s more stylish than the others
Reasons that I dislike this stroller are:
- There is no metal frame to keep the structure of the bonnet part so it sags and is difficult to position out of the way
- You have to remove the pet cabin before folding it down (the bonnet of the carrier also folds down though)
- There are two release latches so you must use both hands to collapse the stroller
It can be tricky to detach the dog basket, especially when there is a dog in it (but that might get easier with practice)
I will note that the wheels on this stroller are made of hard foam. The plus is that they won’t go flat, but solid wheels means the ride is bumpier.
That is mitigated by the shock above each wheel though.
I have only put one miniature Dachshund at a time in this stroller but I think two could fit in there, although it might be a tight fit.
Stroller weight: 20 lbs
Max capacity: 44 lbs
Cost: average $320 USD
Average Amazon rating: 3.5/5 stars
Purchase on Amazon.
4) Pet Gear Happy Trails Lite Pet Stroller
This is my #1 pick for a budget option.
The Pet Gear Happy Trails Lite Pet Stroller is the small, portable stroller I bought to fly with.
Like I said, I tried several small, “cheap”, strollers before this one and they didn’t function properly once I put them together.
This one wasn’t perfect either but it was generally usable. It survived two plane flights and 5,000 steps a day walking for a week.
A couple of people in my Dachshund club own this stroller and like it.
One of the things that I like most about it, is that it’s extremely similar to our Pet Gear NV No Zip Jogger, so I was familiar with how it worked and knew I already liked the style.
The primary difference is that there are 4 wheels on this one so it’s not as maneuverable, the fabric is thinner so it’s likely not as durable, and the bed pad that came in it is much thinner than in the NV No Zip.
Things I don’t like about this stroller are:
- The wheels are small and made of hard plastic (which make the ride bumpy)
- The wheels don’t roll smoothly and can be harder to roll if there isn’t any weight in it or it’s loaded with over 20 lbs
- Although I saw mention of front shock absorbers in one listing, they are essentially useless
It sounds like I don’t have any good things to say about this stroller, right?
I do think I would love this one as much as our NV No Zip Jogger-style stroller if it were more maneuverable and the wheels rolled smoothly.
I’m primarily including it on the list because not everyone can afford to pay much more than $100 for a dog stroller.
I would only trust putting one miniature Dachshund in this stroller due to space and stability.
Stroller weight: 13 lbs
Max capacity: 35 lbs
Cost: average $105-120 USD
Average Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
Purchase on Amazon.
5) HPZ™ Pet Rover Lite Premium Travel Stroller
I have less personal experience with the HPZ™ PET ROVER LITE Premium Travel Stroller. I’ve only briefly seen and handled it at a pet trade show.
However, knowing the quality of my other HPZ stroller, I have no doubt that it’s a good buy.
It’s actually on my wishlist.
I would very likely use this one for airline travel over the Pet Gear Happy Trails Lite stroller due to the increased quality, durability, and additional features, even though it is significantly more expensive.
Things I like about this stroller are:
- The pet compartment can be expanded to fit longer dogs
- The pet compartment closes with latches instead of a zipper
- The stroller can be folded and unfolded in just seconds with one hand only
- There is a retractable handle to easily pull the folder stroller behind you like a piece of luggage
- When folded, it fits in an overhead airline bin or the trunk of a small car.
Since I don’t own this stroller (yet), the only thing I know I don’t prefer about it is the hard wheels.
Since I don’t have this stroller myself, I know how many Dachshunds would fit in there.
An image on Amazon shows two miniature Dachshunds inside with room to spare though.
Stroller weight: 15 lbs
Max capacity: 45 lbs
Cost: average $225-260 USD
Average Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
Purchase on the Pet Rover website or Amazon.
Final Thoughts
Most people don’t understand why someone would use a dog stroller, until they use one themselves.
In fact, I’ve felt the judgy glares from strangers and had to get over it.
Now, I can push my Dachshunds through a crowd in a dog stroller with my head held high knowing I am doing what is best for them.
A dog stroller is indispensable tool when:
- You’re in a crowd and don’t want your small dog to get stepped on
- You don’t want to leave your dog at home, but know you will be distracted or have a lot to juggle
- Your dog is injured – like when recovering from a back injury – but you still want to be able to take them for a walk
Plus more!
Honestly, I don’t think I will every be without a dog stroller for my Dachshunds again.
I’ve tried out, and scrutinized, many, many strollers over the years, and the ones in this article are my top recommendations.
