Thanks for your reply. I could buy a ramp, but I am ready to change my car anyway so am looking for something which is suitable and which can be used without aids. Cheers.

The OP said that the car shouldn't be too big (no estates). The cars that spring to mind for me are a Honda Civic (new one) which has a low boot lip and the seats fold completely flat. Not a bad boot size for a hatchback either. The new Fiat Panda has a flat boot ingress but I'm not sure two German Shepherds would fit.

Otherwise it's estates!

My mum gets a labrador into an Aygo but the dog sits in the passenger footwell......!

but the dog sits in the passenger footwell......!

I thought I was the only person who puts their dog there! The dog likes it because the footwell has sides which provide support. The only snag is that I sometimes try to change gear with the muzzle. Oh, and forgetting to turn off the hot air supply to the footwell...!

This particular dog likes my Mazda - she licks the gear stick while I am driving, and snuffles the passenger window. You mock me for having a Magic Tree but it's necessary with a dog! She licked the last Magic tree though....

OP, I know you said NOT an estate, but might I suggest a Seat Ibiza Sport Tourer (estate)...

It is only 18cm longer than the standard hatchback car so not really too big and has a decent boot - not sure whether the dogs would fit, but obviously you'd check that anyway.

I just got a 6 month old Ibiza ST in decent spec for £9k so well within your budget.

How much longer do you expect the dogs to live? IE, is getting ramp more sensible?

Most pedigree dogs don't live much beyond 10 do they?

The Ibiza ST has a firm ride, better to get a car with a more comfortable ride for eldely dogs. We have 2 rescue dogs, you're right coastliner there is not a shortage of dogs waiting to be rescued.

It's worth taking the dogs along to a larger car dealership which has a variety of cars available and seeing which cars are most suitable for yourself and for transporting the dogs and for them being able to get in and out of the car. Using a ramp can be of help for older dogs or dogs that suffer with hip/leg issues etc. but otherwise once they have their front legs up onto the rear load area they usually go in ok with a lift up of their rear quarters, the main thing is they feel safe when doing so. Alternatively a variety of support tools are available to help load a dog into a car, for example, a Lift Harness, Collapsible Dog Steps, Dog ramp.

Avant, Alsatians are the same as German Shepherd Dog, see link for more details : http://www.alsatians.com/Alsatians.htm