The Sakura Universal Dog Guard SS5260 is the overall pick for most UK cars, because its tubular steel frame adjusts in both height and width and fits without tools. If you want the closest fit and your car is on the list, a tailored guard such as the Travall Vehicle Specific Dog Guard is shaped to the roof line and lets the rear seat fold.
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How we chose these dog car guards: every guard is sold for keeping dogs in the boot or back seat, each was in stock on its UK product page on 7 October 2026, and the sizes and fitting methods come from the makers. We have not fitted all of them in our own cars, and none of the universal guards here makes a crash test claim, so think of them as a way to stop distraction and keep a dog in its space.
Do You Need a Dog Guard in Your Car?
Rule 57 of the Highway Code says dogs and other animals should be suitably restrained in a vehicle so they cannot distract the driver or injure anyone if you stop quickly. It names a seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard as ways to do this. Breaking the rule is not an offence in itself, but a loose dog can lead to a careless driving charge and may affect an insurance claim. For most owners of medium and large dogs, a dog guard for car boots is the simplest answer.
Which Type of Dog Car Guard Should You Choose?
Headrest guards clamp to the rear headrest posts and sit above the back seat. They are quick to fit and leave the boot floor clear, and the Speedwellstar, Summit and STEK guards all work this way. Floor-to-roof guards, like the Sakura SS5260 and the PetSafe Happy Ride, are held by tension between floor and roof and suit cars whose headrests are not adjustable. Wide wire barriers, such as the PawHut and NOAMOO, cover a big gap in an SUV or van. Net barriers, like the CJYMMFAN and KYEDGC, are light and fold away, but a determined dog can push past a soft net.
A tailored guard is the most secure option. The Travall guard for the Mercedes GLA is shaped to that car, sits close to the roof and leaves no gaps at the sides. Tailored guards cost far more and only fit the model they are made for.
How Do You Make Sure a Dog Guard Fits?
Measure the width of your boot opening behind the rear seats and the height from the boot floor to the roof lining. Then compare those numbers with each guard’s range: the Sakura covers 86 to 150 cm wide, the PetSafe 81 to 124 cm wide, and the NOAMOO extends to 169 cm for vans. Check that your rear headrests lift out, because headrest guards need exposed posts. If you have a dog that jumps or pushes, choose metal over mesh and make sure the side gaps are smaller than its head.
How Do These Dog Car Guards Compare?
| Name | Type | Stated Size | Fitting | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sakura Universal Dog Guard SS5260 | Tubular steel | 63 to 110 cm high, 86 to 150 cm wide | Tension, no tools | Most hatchbacks and SUVs |
| Speedwellstar Adjustable Headrest Dog Guard Mesh | Headrest mesh | 90 to 140 cm wide | Headrest clamps | Estates with lift-out headrests |
| PawHut Heavy Duty Dog Car Barrier 91 to 152cm | Wire barrier | 91 to 152 cm | No tools | Large SUVs |
| PetSafe Happy Ride Metal Dog Barrier | Tubular metal | 81 to 124 cm wide | Tension | Back seat or boot |
| Travall Vehicle Specific Dog Guard Mercedes GLA | Tailored steel | Mercedes GLA 2020 on | No drilling | Exact fit |
| Xtremeauto Heavy Duty Car Boot Dog Guard | Steel grid | Universal | Anchor points | Strong dogs |
| CJYMMFAN Wide Coverage Dog Guard for Boot and Back Seat | Frame and net | Wide coverage | Headrest straps | Back seat use |
| NOAMOO Heavy Duty Wire Mesh Dog Car Barrier | Wire gate | Up to 169 cm | Straps and clips | Vans and big SUVs |
| HiNADA Tubular Dog Car Barrier | Tubular metal | Adjustable width | Seatbelt anchor straps | Saloons and estates |
| Summit Mesh Headrest Dog Guard Silver | Headrest mesh | Adjustable side panels | Front or rear headrests | Tight budgets |
How Do You Help a Dog Travel Calmly Behind a Guard?
A guard works best when the boot is a comfortable place to be.
- Lay a non-slip, washable bed or boot liner on the floor so your dog does not slide on corners.
- Practise short trips to somewhere fun before a long journey.
- Keep the boot ventilated and never leave a dog in a parked car on a warm day.
- Check the guard is tight before every trip, as tension guards can work loose.
Small dogs are often safer in a crash-tested harness or a booster seat; see our dog car seats guide. For travel crates that go in the boot, see the dog crates guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Illegal to Have a Dog Loose in the Car in the UK?
The Highway Code says dogs should be suitably restrained, for example with a dog guard, harness, crate or carrier. A loose dog is not an offence in itself, but it can support a careless driving charge and may affect your insurance.
What Is the Best Dog Guard for the Back Seat?
A frame and net barrier such as the CJYMMFAN, or a tubular guard like the HiNADA or PetSafe, can sit behind the front seats to keep a dog on the back seat. A harness clipped to a seat belt point is also an option.
Are Headrest Dog Guards Safe?
They stop a dog climbing over the seat and are fine for everyday driving, but most universal guards are not crash tested. For the best protection, choose a tailored guard or a crash-tested crate.
Can You Fit a Dog Guard Without Tools?
Yes. Most universal guards, including the Sakura, PawHut and PetSafe, fit by tension or clamps without tools. Tailored guards such as the Travall also avoid drilling.
Will a Dog Guard Rattle?
Some do. Rubber caps, as on the PetSafe Happy Ride, help, and you can wrap contact points with felt or tape. Re-tighten tension guards regularly.
Last reviewed: 16 October 2026.
Dog Car Guards to Compare
Sakura Universal Dog Guard SS5260
A tubular black steel guard that adjusts from 63 to 110 cm high and 86 to 150 cm wide, fitted without tools in most hatchbacks, estates and SUVs.
Speedwellstar Adjustable Headrest Dog Guard Mesh
A mesh guard that clamps to the rear headrest posts and adjusts from 90 to 140 cm wide, keeping the boot floor clear.
PawHut Heavy Duty Dog Car Barrier 91 to 152cm
A powder-coated wire barrier that expands from 91 to 152 cm and fits without tools, for SUVs and estates with large boots.
PetSafe Happy Ride Metal Dog Barrier
A tension-fit tubular barrier with rubber caps and a rattle-free design, adjusting from 81 to 124 cm wide and 84 to 145 cm high.
Travall Vehicle Specific Dog Guard Mercedes GLA
A UK-made tailored guard for the 2020 onwards Mercedes GLA that lets the rear seat fold with the guard in place and needs no drilling.
Xtremeauto Heavy Duty Car Boot Dog Guard
A universal boot guard that fixes to the car’s own anchor points, with detailed instructions and a rust-resistant finish.
CJYMMFAN Wide Coverage Dog Guard for Boot and Back Seat
A steel frame with a chew-resistant clear net that straps to the headrests, covering about 30 percent more width than basic nets.
NOAMOO Heavy Duty Wire Mesh Dog Car Barrier
A thick steel wire gate that extends to 169 cm with double-clipped side panels, for vans and large SUVs.
HiNADA Tubular Dog Car Barrier
A metal tubular divider that straps to the seatbelt anchor points, for the boot or back seat, with clear rear visibility.
Summit Mesh Headrest Dog Guard Silver
A budget silver mesh guard with adjustable side panels that fits the front or rear headrests and leaves boot space free.