Choosing a Dog Friendly Car
Family friendly cars are big news with those looking for a vehicle that will accommodate a young family and plenty of luggage, but what about if you have animals to think about? If you plan to transport your pooch it's important to think about their safety and comfort as much as other passengers.
Of course sports cars and super-minis are not good dog cars, with parcel shelves and foot wells about the only space available for your dog to lie. Hatchbacks, estate cars and 4x4s are very dog friendly not least because they have more rear and boot space but because they often have low sills to allow your dog to jump in and out with ease.
If you are keen to confine the dog to the boot area to keep hair mess to a minimum, dog guards and dog crates are available for a range of makes and models. Dog guards will keep you and your dog safe, and model specific guards can be bought from some car dealers or online, whilst non-model specific guards can be found in stores such as Halfords.
Dog crates are ideal to ensure your animal stays in place especially if they are particularly excitable, and they can be secured to stop it sliding around. Obviously crates take up a lot of boot space, depending on the size of the crate and your dog, and are generally not suitable for hatchbacks due to the high boot lip, check with the retailer before buying. Cars with restricted opening rear windows and child locks are safe choices too.
In terms of legalities there are no laws regarding how and where dogs should be transported, as long as they are not a distraction. If you want to ferry your pooch around on the back seats though ensure you use a restraint harnesses that links with the seat belt, for yours and your dogs' safety. Boot liners and car seat covers are invaluable if you want to keep your new car looking new for longer!
So which cars are the most dog friendly? Here are a few of the favourites:
Toyota Avensis
The Toyota Avensis is often mentioned in relation to dog friendly estate cars. The low sill of its rear hatch makes it easy to jump in and out, and even with five passengers your dog won't feel like it's cooped up as the boot space is very generous.
Volvo XC70
The Volvo XC70 is often quoted as the best dog friendly car, and it's easy to see why. Ample space in the rear and a vast, flat boot area combined with a 27.4 inches floor height make the Volvo XC70 your dogs' best friend.
Subaru Forester
The Forester has a lower floor height than many SUVs making it easy for your canine friend to get in and out, and of course the boot is roomy. The interior is pretty durable too so can withstand a bit of mess and good visibility is great if your pooch likes to keep an eye on where you going.
Land Rover Range Rover
A dog friendly car list wouldn't be complete without a Land Rover, and if it's good enough to transport the Queen's Corgis around Balmoral and Sandringham it's certainly good enough for your pooch! With 994 litres of boot space with the seats up there is plenty of space to keep you and your dog happy. If however you have an elderly or small dog you might want to consider getting a dog ramp as the jump between ground and tailgate can be tricky. You probably won't find these at Land Rover dealers but try out your local pet shop.
Questions and Answers
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