In the WeLoveAnyCar.com dog survey, 77% of car owners with dogs said their choice of car was dependent on the best fit for their dog.
Given that dog ownership is on the rise - and the dog can be the final decider - how welcome do car dealers make dog owners?
Dogs In The Driving Seat When It Comes To Car Buying?
10 Ways to Spot a Dog Loving Car Dealer
1 'Dogs Welcome' sign in sight
2 Water for dogs provided
3 Dogs feature in dealer's adverts
4 Salesmen are 'dog aware'
5 Salesmen offer to let your dog sit in the car
6 Salesmen asks and uses the dog's name
7 Dog snacks are offered
8 Staff stroke and pet your dog
9 Staff do not show displeasure with your dog
10 If there is a doggie accident, wipes and mops are provided
The fact is over 20% of car owners will have dogs. Today's car market can be rough and dealers should take the lead and lay out the welcome mat for the family dog.
Car manufacturers seem to have caught on to the importance of the family pooch. Volkswagen, for example, has seen considerable world-wide success with their #woofwagen campaign.
Dealers may not hate dogs but most don't see how important they are. Nowadays dealers cater for kids and treat both sexes equally but, to them, your dog is a nobody whilst, to you, he or she is part of the family.
Some dealers are catching on and an article in Automotive News features dealers (in the USA) who have seen that passing the 'sniff' test can win them business.
If you know a dealer or a car salesman - send him a link to this article. Our job, as dog owning car lovers, is to spread the word.
WeLoveAnyCar.com found that 100% of drivers talk to their dogs in their cars in their canine survey conducted on 5th November. Next they asked, "What do you talk to your dog about in the car?"
In a survey of 2000 car owners, 100% of those that owned dogs revealed that they talked to their dogs! The next question WeLoveAnyCar.com asked was, what do you talk to your dog about?
1 Are they happy? Drivers will ask Benji, Lassie and Spot if they are ok in 'their' seat.
2 Destination. The motorist will tell their dog where they are going.
3 Traffic Conditions. Car owners will tell their dogs that there are; traffic jams, hold ups, good roads and other important travelling information.
4 Other Drivers. Should another driver swerve in front, make a wrong move, do something dangerous or just plain silly like suddenly breaking then the dog may well be asked his opinion.
5 Moaning. Dogs will be privy to moans about; the driver's partner, mother, kids, co-workers, relatives, friends and even lovers. (if dogs could talk!)
6 Weather. Being British, the weather is always a subject of conversation especially if it is; too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry or if there is too much snow or sun.
7 The car. At any slight malfunction of the car, the driver will discuss this with the dogs.
8 Reward. In order to encourage good dog behaviour, drivers will indicate a potential reward such as a treat or a walk.
9 Pedestrians. If drivers see; a jay walker, people crossing when they shouldn't, someone dressed strangely and especially if there is an attractive man/woman then the dog will be immediately informed.
10 Apologise. If a driver makes a wrong turn, causes a snarl up, stalls the engine, is delayed or causes any other inconvenience then the dog will be placated with a "sorry."
100% of dog owning drivers admitted to talking to their dogs. However 3.8% said they only talked to their dogs when they travelled alone with their mutt or mutts.
The WeLoveAnyCar.com survey found the following dog happy drivers facts.
50% have more than one dog
12% take their dog for a drive every day and 78% ‘frequently’ over the week
82% chose their car because it was suitable for the dog
84% said their dogs travelled well
4% took their dogs in the front seat
29% in the back seats and rest in the estate or hatch back.
60% claim to strap their dog in or hold put their dog in a carrier or cage.
84.5% said “my car has to be right for my family and my dogs”
72% said they “wouldn't buy a car if ‘it wasn't right for the dog”
WeLoveAnycar.com has over 81,441car reviews. Another 240,000 people have added their opinions by voting on reviews they agreed or disagreed with. It seems that dogs also take the lead in the car buying decision:
“I use this car to carry my 2 large dogs, 2 large children, their friends, my husband etc. and it is very roomy." (in that order!) – Renault Espace review
“I loved the car but it just wasn't practical for my lifestyle anymore. Needed more room for 2 dogs!” – Volkswagen Golf review
Shaun & Emma, Filbert's owners, talked to him every day in their Audi. Filbert died recently - of natural causes - but the cabriolet couple miss his conversation.
“…recommend it as a good family car, and I can get my 5 dogs in the boot comfortably too." – Zafira review
“Only sold it to buy a 5 series as the 3 was too small for all my dogs. Otherwise great car.” – BMW 3 Series review
“Rear seat space is poor for humans but fine for my dogs.” – Honda CR-Z review
“...we chose the Meriva as it had a good low sill on the boot area and we have an elderly dog who can't jump high." – Meriva review
“...this is my second Alhambra and it is used to tow a caravan and transport six dogs (posh van with seats removed).” – Seat Alhambra review
“Love my Zafira and I can get 5 dogs in the back with the seats down :-)” – Zafira review
Whilst car adverts feature dogs peering out of open car windows in their ads - most car owners wouldn't allow it.
WeLoveAnyCar.com dog owners survey also finds motorists talk to their dog in the car and 72% seek canine approval on its replacement.
Car adverts abound with deliberately cute looking pooches peering out of open windows with wind blowing their ears sideways whilst the driver speeds along.
The WeLoveAnyCar.com dog owners survey found that 62% would ‘never’ let their dogs hang out of cars whilst on the move and disapprove of the practice. 22% would only allow their dogs to peer out of open windows if restrained or held by another passenger.
The government and the RSPCA clearly advise dog owners to take care when transporting their dogs and all recommend a dog is restrained in some way – something car advertisers need to take note of when designing their dog friendly adverts.
The now famous Volkswagen dog ( #woofwagen ) adverts show dogs peering out of windows and close analysis shows all are restrained but this may not immediately be clear.
A spokesman for WeLoveAnycar.com - the biggest car review site in Britain, said, “Award winning adverts featuring dogs have won the hearts and minds of the public. But car and dog owners are not looking for accolades; just a safe car for their family and that clearly includes the family dog."
Dog Happy Drivers - A Breed Apart
This lovely pooch is safe, strapped in and the car is parked. His name is Filbert. Sadly Filbert has passed into the great kennel in the sky - but he did this naturally. Much beloved dog of Shaun and Emma
In a survey of 2000 car owners, those that owned dogs were found to be a breed apart when it comes to their dogs and advertisers are spot on in singling them out for attention.
50% have more than one dog
Dogs travel frequently – 12% every day and 78% ‘frequently’ over the week
82% chose their car because it was suitable for the dog
84% said their dogs traveled well
Only 4% took their dogs in the front seat - 29% in the back seats and rest in the estate or hatch back.
60% claim to strap their dog in or hold put their dog in a carrier or cage.
84.5% said “my car has to be right for my family and my dogs”
72% said they “wouldn't buy a car if ‘it wasn't right for the dog”
Dog Owners Talk To Their Dogs
On a lighter note, 96.2% of owners talk to their dog in the car – often sharing their opinions of other drivers' abilities. The remainder will only talk to their dog if no one else is in the car. That means that ALL dog owners talk to their dogs on the move.
Car Reviewers Put Their Dogs First
WeLoveAnycar.com has over 81,441 car reviews. Another 240,000 people have added their opinions by voting on reviews they agreed or disagreed with. Yet it is perhaps the comments in the car review survey which illustrate how dogs really do take the lead in the car buying decision:
“I use this car to carry my 2 large dogs, 2 large children, their friends, my husband etc etc and it is very roomy." (in that order!) – Renault Espace review
“I loved the car but it just wasn't practical for my lifestyle anymore. Needed more room for 2 dogs!” Volkswagen Golf review
“…recommend it as a good family car, and i can get my 5 dogs in the boot comfortably too." Zafira review
“Only sold it to buy a 5 series as the 3 was too small for all my dogs. Otherwise great car.” BMW 3 Series review
“Rear seat space is poor for humans but fine for my dogs.” Honda CR-Z review
“...we chose the Meriva as it had a good low sill on the boot area and we have an elderly dog who can't jump high." Meriva review
“...this is my second Alhambra and it is used to tow a caravan and transport six dogs (posh van with seats removed).” Seat Alhambra review
“Love my Zafira and I can get 5 dogs in the back with the seats down :-)” Zafira review
Notes:
WeLoveAnycar.com is the UK's largest car review site and combines the opinions of over 240,000 car owners. Reviews are by invitation only to known car owners. 50% of all cars reviews are made by current owners, with the remainder being submitted by people who owned that make and model recently. This mix is to ensure balanced reviews are provided.
WeLoveAnycar.com recognises the care and responsibility taken by car advertisers who feature animals in their adverts.
The dog survey is ongoing and was initiated on 5th November. The survey was only sent to known car owners.
