When it comes to buying a pet stroller, there are more than a few factors that you need to consider. Apart from the size and number of carriages, there’s the all-important element of the wheels. As a pet owner, one of the most frequent questions I get when strolling around with my Labradoodle is how I made the choice between three wheel strollers and 4 wheelers. And what advantages or disadvantages does one have over the other?
Having both strollers available, that got me thinking about what each of them brings to the table and why I like using one more than the other in certain occasions. To help all pet owners out there find their best match in a pet stroller, I’ve chalked up a comprehensive guide on the differences between 3 wheeled strollers and their four-wheeled counterparts.
3 Wheel Strollers Vs 4 Wheel Pet Strollers
Consider Your Lifestyle
Fast Paced Lifestyle – If your main purpose for getting a pet stroller is to go jogging with your dog, then the number of wheels you choose will make a huge difference. Most jogging pet strollers tend to have only one wheel at the front and two at the back, making them 3 Wheeled dog strollers. That because 3 wheels offer far more maneuverability at high speeds than any four wheels can provide. Just locking the front wheel tightly in place will see you and your pet move at high speeds without worrying about being losing maneuverability.
Slow and Steady- If you are more of a slow and steady kind of pet owner, then you obviously need a dog stroller that will keep things stable and grounded. If you and your pet tend to frequent the mall, or just go for walks around the neighborhood, a 4 Wheel stroller is just the thing for you. With more wheels, more stability at slow speeds and a lower ground profile 4 wheels are great for the urban environment.
Consider the Pet Size
Naturally, the size and weight of your pet will significantly affect how many wheels you need. If you have a larger dog, the last thing you want is to use a high profile dog stroller because it will be top heavy. 3 wheel pet strollers sit higher than 4 wheelers; as such, they are not so suitable for heavier mutts. But they are perfect for smaller dogs who wouldn’t topple the stroller over even if they tried.
If you have a big dog, then nothing but a 4 wheel stroller will do. The fact that they sit very close to the ground means that the overall center of gravity is substantially lowered. So instead of having big Rufus over there sitting awkwardly a few feet of the ground where even the smallest shove will result in a disaster, keep those big dogs as close to the ground as possible.
Final Word
The choice between a 3 wheel stroller and a 4 wheel one will ultimately depend on how big your pet is and what activities you usually undertake together. There are even some features that will help people who love hiking and exploring the great outdoors. Now that you’ve read this guide, making the choice should be much easier.
Amanda says
Thanks you really helped me decide ????
Jill says
Hi I have a Yorkshire terrior he’s not big but not short or short in length please can you advice me the best DOG stroller for my baby boy and weather to get 3 /4 wheel one please and on the make. Aswell thank you
Jenna Via says
Thank you so much! Now I know and am comfortable purchasing what I need.
Angela says
Thank you for this article. I have never owned a dog before, and am about to get a puppy. The advice is to take them out in a stroller until they are fully vaccinated, because they still need to get used to people, traffic sounds, etc. I wasn’t sure whether to get a 3 or 4 wheeler, so this article was very helpful. I think I’m more of a 4-wheel walker!