The Best Small Dog Carriers for Traveling With a Morkie

Last Tuesday Georgie ate my sock and acted like I’d wronged him when I took it back. He’s got this thing where he’ll just stare at you, unblinking, like you’ve personally offended his entire bloodline of miniature wolf-dogs. Anyway, you asked about carriers for your Morkie, and man, have I been through it. Georgie, bless his dramatic little heart, is not an easy traveler. He thinks he’s a wild beast, despite being 7 pounds of fluff and attitude. His brother, Teddy, on the other hand, is a chill Yorkie who will nap anywhere. Georgie has opinions about everything – the car ride, the destination, the ambient temperature, the quality of the snacks. So, finding a carrier that he tolerates, let alone likes, has been a journey.

Airline Travel: When Georgie Becomes a (Very Opinionated) Carry-On

Okay, so for actual airline travel, you absolutely need something that fits under the seat. Don’t even think about winging it. Airlines are super strict about dimensions, and trust me, you don’t want to be that person at the gate trying to cram an oversized carrier under a tiny seat. My first attempt was with some generic soft-sided carrier I bought at Petco for like $30. It was fine for a short car ride, but it was flimsy, had terrible ventilation, and Georgie just looked miserable in it. Plus, it sagged in the middle, making him feel even more squished. He gave me the stink eye for three hours straight.

What actually worked for us, after some trial and error, is the Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier, Medium, $55 on Amazon. This thing is the industry standard for a reason. It’s got the spring wire frame that allows the rear end to be pushed down a few inches to fit under the seat, which is a game-changer. It’s also got mesh panels on three sides for ventilation, a washable faux lambskin liner (Georgie actually seemed to like snuggling into that), and a nice shoulder strap. It holds its shape well, which is crucial for Georgie’s comfort. He can stand up and turn around in it, which helps him feel less trapped. It also has a seatbelt strap, so you can secure it in the car before you even get to the airport. Just make sure you double-check your specific airline’s dimensions for under-seat carriers – they vary slightly! But the Sherpa is generally approved for most major airlines.

One pro tip: get it way before your trip. Leave it out with the door open, put some treats inside, maybe a favorite blanket. Let Georgie explore it on his own terms. I put his favorite KONG Wobbler (the red one, he refuses any other color) in there with some peanut butter, and slowly, he started associating it with good things. He still grumbles when I zip him in, but it’s more of a low rumble now, not a full-blown opera.

Car Rides: Conquering the Road Trip Drama

For car rides, whether it’s just to the vet or a longer road trip, I quickly learned that the airline carrier was too much. It takes up a whole seat, and Georgie just gets too hot in it unless the AC is blasting directly on him. My first thought was just letting him roam free on the passenger seat, but that lasted exactly one near-miss with a deer. He flew off the seat, and that was the end of that. Safety first, even for a tiny terror.

I tried a few cheap booster seats – the kind that just strap to the headrest and elevate them. Georgie hated them. He felt exposed, and the sides weren’t sturdy enough to make him feel secure. Plus, Teddy, the little thief, would often try to climb in with him and steal his blanket, which led to a lot of indignant yapping from Georgie.

The solution for us has been the Kurgo K9 Ruckpack, $120 on Chewy. Okay, I know, it’s a backpack. But hear me out. It doubles as a car seat. It has internal straps to secure Georgie’s harness, and a system to loop the seatbelt through, keeping it incredibly stable. The top opens fully, and it has mesh side panels, so he gets good airflow and can see out. The big win for Georgie is that he can actually lay down comfortably in it, and the high sides make him feel more den-like and secure. He’s always been a “burrower,” so this was perfect. When we stop for breaks, I can just zip him up and wear him on my back, which means he’s always contained and safe, even in busy rest stops. It’s honestly brilliant. He doesn’t love getting into it, but once he’s settled, he usually just naps or stares out the window, occasionally letting out a low growl at a passing truck he deems too large.

Everyday Errands: When Georgie Demands to Come Along

Sometimes you just need to pop into a pet-friendly store or take Georgie for a quick walk that involves a short hop on public transit. For this, I wanted something lighter and less bulky than the airline carrier or the backpack. I tried those slings, but Georgie would just squirm and try to jump out, convinced he was a large, capable wolf who didn’t need to be carried like a baby. Plus, he’d often try to chew through the fabric if he got bored.

What I ended up loving for these shorter trips is the Outward Hound PoochPouch Front Carrier, Small, $25 on Amazon. Yes, it’s a front carrier, but it’s more like a structured pouch than a sling. It sits higher on your chest, which Georgie actually prefers because he can pop his head out and feel like he’s participating. It has an internal safety harness attachment, which is key, so he can’t just launch himself out. The mesh sides help with airflow, and it has a little padded bottom. It’s also super light and easy to fold up when not in use. He still huffs and puffs a bit when I put him in, but once his head is out and he’s surveying his kingdom from my chest, he usually settles down. He definitely prefers being up high where he can see everything, probably planning his next world domination strategy. Teddy, naturally, just chills in a tote bag if I need to carry him, but Georgie requires a more strategic approach.

So, there you have it. Three carriers for three different scenarios, all tested and approved by the most discerning, sock-eating, self-proclaimed wolf-dog I know. Honestly, if it works for Georgie, it’ll probably work for your Morkie.

I’d just buy the Sherpa and the Kurgo and call it a day.

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