I eventually managed to get in eight dog crates of large to medium size, accessible without shifting any guns and luggage, plus seat two passengers. I could get in 10 crates when both middle captain's seats were also removed--all that room, a comfortable ride and handling for long trips, with or without dogs. A lot of the fancy stuff in it, like Venetian blinds and screened windows, provided handy comfort for parked or moving canine travelers, with no worry about how they were doing because we were all breathing the same air.

For those and other reasons, I'm hanging on to the Vanagon. Depending upon load weight, weather, speed, etc., it runs 13 to 18 mpg, and pulling a dog trailer with one passenger and a load of equipment on board, the small V8 loses about a mile to the gallon.

Something much smaller than this big wagon may do you very well to tote one or two dogs plus your hunting buddy, but also remember that something really compact (and with four wheel drive) is still capable of dragging along a dog trailer. But you won't get the gas mileage you expect.

Back in the middle '80s, my late wife and I made a quail hunting trip from eastern Mississippi to western Kansas, pulling a trailer-load of dogs with a four-cylinder Nissan pickup. The engine strained as the gas mileage fell from an accustomed 26-27 mpg to 15-17. Driving and riding in it was work.

Different preferences in dog haulers are legion. If your hunting style is to slowly troll back roads and trails in a vehicle, a small maneuverable four-wheel-drive rig is certainly most suitable. Likewise, since modern full size pickup trucks now ride and handle so well, probably one- to three-dog owners will be happy with them.

Regardless of their off-road capabilities, I don't often drive highway suitable vehicles across roadless fields or on tote trails. When training or hunting I drive to a destination, park in a safe place and, one or two at a time, take out and walk the dogs I'm working. Hence, my preference for closed vans that are roomy and dog accessible through multiple doors.

(Dogs loose inside a vehicle or in a pickup box are an anathema, dangerous to people and themselves, so use dog crates for travel in anything.)

Since accessibility to dogs or stuff in the pickup box is often difficult (particularly for old geezers like me) you probably shouldn't consider a regular cab pickup. Even if you have to put up with a short box, extended cabs will increase not only seating room, but will also furnish weather protected room for equipment, travel gear and guns.

Long wheelbase trucks ride better than short-coupled ones, but they are not as maneuverable. Four-wheel-drive, desirable as it may be, will bump up the purchase price and the cost of driving without appreciable difference in its on-road ability to haul and tow.

Should you be single or have a small family, you might be interested in something that will double as your hunting car and as an extra passenger vehicle. I think I have the answer. But don't be put off by my brand name mention. Look over comparable styles and models, then go with your taste, choice or gut feeling.