Test Croozer Dog Enna: Anyone who travels a lot by bike will eventually want to integrate the dog - just like the children or the grocery store. The easiest way to do this is with a dog trailer, like the one Croozer offers in the form of its dog models. In the Velomotion practical test: The Croozer Dog Enna for fur friends up to 35 kilos, which pleases with its high quality and easy handling.
Man's best friend has many abilities; cycling is of course not one of them. And even if dogs are very enduring, the speed that mum and dad set on their e-bikes these days is a bit too high for running alongside - which is out of the question for smaller animals anyway. And while a lapdog might even fit in an enclosed bike basket, there's really only one option for medium to large dogs: a trailer like the Croozer Dog Enna.
As is well known, this works very well with younger children, who are in a similar position to cycling as the family dog, and as a manufacturer with a lot of experience in passenger transport, Croozer has transferred the corresponding know-how to pets. The requirements are comparable in many respects: transportation should be comfortable and safe; Two-legged as well as four-legged passengers must be adequately protected from the weather. And of course the trailer has to be big enough - a question of age for children, because after their seventh birthday they can no longer be pulled in the trailer; in dogs a matter of weight.
Trailers in two weight classes
Croozer offers its dog trailers in two weight classes, for animals weighing up to 35 or 45 kilos. Both versions differ significantly in size: the Croozer Dog Enna test model for lighter dogs is 90 × 72 × 82 cm with internal dimensions of 75 × 40 cm; the larger Croozer Dog Mikke measures 105 x 86 x 93 cm on the outside and 90 × 54 cm on the inside. An important aspect, because the dog must of course have enough freedom of movement and be able to lie down. That was not a problem for the young photo dog Emil at eleven kilos – he found more than enough space even in the smaller trailer. And it was pretty cosy, too: the hood and back are closed, resulting in an area protected from view where the dog can withdraw; the screen at the back can be rolled up. At the front, a transparent hood keeps out wind and rain, and the side panels are made of sturdy mesh fabric that lets in fresh air but still offers a certain degree of protection.
Many innovative details
Much of this is already known from the children's trailer; on the other hand, of course, the Croozer Dog has no seats and belts and is more like a cargo trailer. But be careful: it is not approved as such because it does not have a rigid floor pan. Intended for transporting dogs and small animals, it instead has numerous features that deserve a closer look. For example the innovative suspension, which automatically adapts to the weight of the load and, in addition to comfort, of course also improves driving safety, because a trailer with suspension glides much more smoothly over bumps. The Croozer Dog Enna is extremely versatile when it comes to entry options: it can be opened at the front, back and top, which is important not least when getting used to it. This is how the dog first experiences the trailer as an open area that can be easily entered and exited again. The zippers on the body are all very solid and easy to use, the materials are sewn firmly and well - as usual with the Croozer child trailers, the Croozer Dog should also withstand years of use.
The folding function has been optimized so that the trailer can now be converted into a flat package even more easily; the wheels – 16 inches on the Enna, 20 inches on the larger Mikke – can be released as usual by pressing on the hub. When stationary, a parking brake on both sides ensures safety; an overrun brake for driving is not necessary, as years of experience with child trailers have shown. On the other hand, the reflectors mounted on the trailer and the supplied battery rear light are indispensable; an important detail is the lockable drawbar if you want to leave the trailer on the bike or e-bike.
Lots of accessories for dog and master or fur friend and mistress
The large range of accessories is also typical of Croozer. The trailer can be converted into a buggy with a nose wheel and push bar; the storage compartment, which can be permanently attached to the inside of the headlining, is also a practical addition. And there is something else that you might even want to buy your dog before you buy the trailer itself: the Enna dog bed. Experience shows: In order for the dog to be able to relax and enjoy the ride and be happy to get in, you should patiently get him used to the transporter. The Croozer website has extensive information on this: You can set up the trailer without wheels in the house or garden and offer it as a cozy resting place. Or just start with the dog bed, which later moves into the trailer as a familiar comfort transmitter.
Unproblematic driving characteristics
And how does the Croozer Dog drive? The manufacturer recommends first doing test drives without a dog (but with the appropriate weight load), which you should do - but the trailer does not have a significant influence on driving behavior. The suspension of the drawbar allows leaning, the trailer does not push perceptibly when braking, and in the end you just have to get used to the width of the sidecar and the fact that you have to slow down before tight corners. Unlike children strapped into their seats, the dog can move around while driving; it can turn or touch down, which of course can cause unrest in the chassis. Overall, a calm driving style is announced, with Croozer releasing the dog trailer up to 25 km/h.
Is it worth buying a Croozer Dog? A look at the child trailer also helps with this question: Anyone who travels a lot by bicycle or e-bike in their everyday life and in their free time will almost automatically start to think about whether it might not work with their dog too. Why do you have to use the car to get to the dog walk? The Croozer Dog Enna is definitely a working solution, and the four-digit price of 1.050 euros will certainly not have too much of an impact on the total costs for the best friend of the family in the long term. This is how two wheels and four paws come together perfectly!
Website: croozer.com
