(I typically don't evaluate equipment or gear or gun dog breeds unless I've had considerable personal experience with the subject. I do bless editors who permit reliable observers and evaluators to offer opinions, however. So please pardon the specifics used to offer a guideline in your search.)

Your starting pick for a very compact but comparatively roomy and economical mini-van that can handle at least one large and a couple of medium sized dog crates behind an engaged folding back seat, which can accommodate three passengers, is the Pontiac Vibe. It not only gets high marks from Consumer Reports; my current life partner owns a 2004, front wheel drive model.

It was comfortable on long eastern and western trips, has plenty of zip, cruises or short hops well and gets up to 34 miles per gallon. It's a fine family car that can easily double as a dog hauler for most owners with rear seat up or down.

But when you shop for a new or used vehicle of any similar type, take into consideration the size and number of the travel crates you will utilize. Measure them or take them and a tape or ruler along when you go looking. Style can make interior space--or the lack thereof--deceptive.

All-wheel drive won't be a requirement for large numbers of "dog folks." Perhaps the newer cross-overs (part van, part SUV) are the answer for those who do appreciate power on all the wheels. If I had the dough and had to limit myself to a single vehicle, I see the Toyota Sienna at the head of the line, based solely upon looking at them after reading raves about them in Consumer Reports.

Roomier than SUVs, minis or mid-sizes, available with four-wheel drive, load accessible and claming decent gas mileage, they rate trying something resembling an offroader in ruggedness but with the room, comfort and economy of a good roadrunner that can haul and pull reasonable loads.

If not that, for my purposes I'd opt for the even larger successor to my GMC Vanagon, the GMC Savannah. It has loads of room and has been well tested by a hunting buddy. With a bit of ingenuity he is able to load up all kinds of extraneous gear plus the 10 dog crates of various designs he and his wife usually embark with.

Savannahs are difficult to find used. But he found an excellently maintained one with about 60,000 miles on it for less than half the price of a new one. Van owners are customarily easier on their vehicles than pickup owners.

My comments are meant to provide food for thought and alert you to possibilities. Any car deal is at least partially a game of chance, but here's hoping the above suggestions will help you nail down what you need to get your dogs and yourself safely and economically to the field.