• News
  • Guides
  • Reviews
  • Media
  • About
  • News
  • Guides
  • Reviews
  • Media
  • About
Sign up Now (For Free)

Sign up for our newsletter and receive the latest automotive news in your inbox!

Invalid email address
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thanks for subscribing!
News
Read Now
  • All News
  • Automakers
  • Automobiles
  • Auto Shows
  • Business
  • EVs & Environment
  • Guides
  • Lawsuits/Legal
  • Regulatory
  • Ride-Sharing
  • Safety & Recalls
  • Technology
Recent
  • The Rearview Mirror: All That the Name Implies
  • Top Tips for Improving EV Range in Cold Weather
  • Mercedes is First Automaker to Offer True Level 3 Hands-Free Driving System in the U.S.
  • Audi Introduces Fourth “Sphere” Concept: Activesphere
  • Jaguar Land Rover Posts First Profitable Quarter in Two Years
  • Musk Confirms Cybertruck Production Tracking for End of 2023
  • Polestar Raises its Game with the 2024 Polestar 2
  • Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda Steps Down, Hands Reins to Lexus Chief Koji Sato
  • Environmental Groups Chide GM for ICE Investments
  • Tesla Sets New Financial Benchmarks, But Misses Analysts Targets
Editor’s Choice
    Reviews
    Read Now
    • All Reviews
      • Feeder
    • Classic Cars
    • Concept Cars
    • Convertibles
    • Coupes
    • Crossovers/CUVs
    • Diesel
    • Hot hatches
    • Hybrids
    • Luxury Vehicles
    • Minivans
    • Muscle Cars
    • Pickups
    • Sedans
    • Sports Cars
    • Super Cars
    • SUVs
    Recent Reviews
    • A Week With: 2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R 4x4 Super Crew
    • A Week With: 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 AWD
    • A Week With: 2023 Land Rover Defender 110 V-8
    • First Drive: 2023 Honda Pilot TrailSport
    • A Week With: 2023 Jaguar F-Type R Coupe
    • A Week With: 2023 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate
    • A Week With: 2023 Genesis GV60 Performance
    • A Week With: 2023 Chevrolet Suburban Z71
    • A Week With: 2023 Lexus UX 250h F Sport
    • A Week With: 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQB 300 4Matic
    Editor’s Choice
      Guides
      Car Warranty
      • Endurance Warranty Reviews
      • BMW Extended Warranty
      • Extended Warranty For Cars Over 100k Miles
      • Extended Car Warranty Cost
      • Subaru Extended Warranty
      • CarShield Reviews
      • CarShield Cost
      • Aftermarket Car Warranty
      • CARCHEX Warranty Reviews
      • Reputable Extended Car Warranty Companies
      • Used Car Warranty Companies
      • Best Car Warranty
      • Is CarShield A Scam?
      • Mercedes Extended Warranty
      • CarShield Plans
      Insurance
      • How To Identify A Car Insurance Company
      • Geico Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
      • How Far Back Does A Car Insurance Company Look
      • Mechanical Breakdown Insurance For Used Cars
      • State Farm Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
      • Mechanical Breakdown Insurance From Progressive
      • Dollar A Day Insurance
      • Auto Insurance For SSI Recipients
      • Car Insurance Rates After A Suspended License
      • Auto Insurance For Salvage Vehicles
      • Average Cost of Dodge Ram 1500 Car Insurance
      • Car Insurance Florida
      • Full Coverage Auto Insurance
      • GrubHub Insurance
      • Amazon Delivery Auto Insurance
      Shipping
      • Car Shipping Companies
      • uShip Reviews
      • Auto Shipping From California To Hawaii
      • Montway Auto Transport Reviews
      • Cheap Car Shipping
      • Easy Auto Ship Reviews
      • Auto Shipping Miami
      • Auto Shipping To Alaska
      • Car Shipping Cost
      • Auto Shipping Hawaii
      • Auto Shipping Puerto Rico
      • Sherpa Auto Transport Reviews
      • Auto Shipping Atlanta
      • Auto Shipping Boston
      • Auto Shipping. Chicago
      About
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Terms of Use
      • Privacy Policy
      • Affiliate Disclosure
      • Sitemap
      TheDetroitBureau.com

      More than just “another” place to find news, reviews, spy shots, commentary, features, and guides about the auto industry. TheDetroitBureau doesn’t stop with the press releases or confuse a few lines of opinion with insightful, in-depth reporting.

      Contact Us

      Like what you see? Have some ideas for making The Detroit Bureau.com even better? Let us know, we’d love to hear your voice.

        Media
        Listen Now
        • Headlight News: All Episodes
        More from TheDetroitBureau
        • Guides
        • Latest News
        • Auto Reviews
        • Podcasts
        Headlight News

        TheDetroitBureau.com’s Headlight News offers a look at the past week’s top automotive news stories, as well as what’s coming up in the week ahead. Check out the week’s top story and our latest review…along with a dive into the past with this week in automotive history.

        home > news > Automobiles > Minivan May be Best for Families, but Not Dogs

        Minivan May be Best for Families, but Not Dogs

        Four-legged friends need certain amenities.

        Michael Strong
        Michael Strong , Managing Editor
        Sept. 02, 2014
        The best vehicles for dog all have a large rear lift gate to make it easy for them to get in and out.

        When it comes to hauling around your kids, soccer gear, groceries and other family accoutrements, it’s hard to beat the classic minivan. But what if you’re adding a dog into the mix?

        That’s a question a lot of folks face with 78.2 million people Americans owning dogs, according to The Humane Society. And for those with canines coming along for the ride, the choice isn’t as simple as it might seem.

        An Ideal Auto News Source!

        Autotrader.com said 55% of visitors to its website seek out cars and trucks that can accommodate their dogs, and that 75% of its shoppers who have a dog take their pet in the car at least once a month.

        For most folks, it would seem the biggest need for a dog would be a window for the dog to hang its head out of to enjoy the breeze.

        However, there are some more obvious needs, such as easy entry and exit for your dog, there are plenty of factors to consider, including the laws in your state or municipality regarding transporting a pet. Many require a pet or a pet carrier to be strapped down in some fashion.

        Making it easier for your dog to get in and out of a vehicle helps when it comes to buckling them in.

        Autotrader provided a list of its top seven vehicles that dog owners will want to consider:

        • Subaru Outback
        • Nissan Juke
        • Volkswagen Tiguan
        • BMW X3
        • Volvo V60
        • Kia Soul
        • Honda Odyssey

        The Odyssey’s inclusion is probably not a great surprise: it comes with its own onboard vacuum cleaner. A dog can be a messy beast and the ease of cleaning as well as stain prevention is key to an “ideal” dog vehicle, according to Cesar Milan, a dog trainer featured on several reality-based television shows.

        (Fiat shareholders avoid scrap with Marchionne. For more, Click Here.)

        He notes that keeping fur out of your family vehicle is best achieved by brushing your dog before that car ride takes place. He also suggests getting a carrier for your dog to help them feel more comfortable, although getting the correct sized carrier is extremely important, and safe.

        (Click Here for details about foreign automakers feeling under the gun in China.)

        “You wouldn’t take your baby for a drive without a car seat, don’t take your dog without a crate,” he said.

        (To see more about Nissan exec taking top spot at Aston Martin, Click Here.)

        While the most of the list above may not be a surprise, they also may not be on your list of available vehicles. There are some basics to keep in mind when shopping for a dog-friendly vehicle. There are a number of desired features that can help make your vehicle choice a more pet-friendly one:

        • A rear lift gate allows your dog to jump in and out of the car easily; it also makes for more convenient loading in/loading out of pet carriers, crates and kennels.
        • Fold-flat seats create a spacious area for your dog to sit while keeping the actual surface of the seats clean from hair or scratches.
        • An airy cabin is especially beneficial for large dogs to stretch out.
        • Rear cargo-attachment ringlets help keep carriers and crates from sliding around.
        • A containment barrier/divider keeps your dog from jumping up to the front seat while the car is in motion.
        • A low ride height helps dogs — especially older ones — get in and out with ease.
        • Rear climate control keeps your dog cool and comfortable in transit no matter what the weather is like.
        • A sunroof brings fresh air and sunlight so you can keep your dog from hanging its head out of the window.
        • Underfloor storage gets your things out of the way so your dog can ride more comfortably.
        How to Care for Your Car

        Cheap Car Warranty

        Editor's Choice

        Best Extended Car Warranty

        Editor's Choice
        Recently Published

        The Rearview Mirror: All That the Name Implies

        Yesterday
        GMC Hummer SUT winter testing

        Top Tips for Improving EV Range in Cold Weather

        Jan. 27, 2023
        Mercedes Drive Pilot Nevada driving

        Mercedes is First Automaker to Offer True Level 3 Hands-Free Driving System in the U.S.

        Jan. 27, 2023

        Leave a Reply Cancel reply

        Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

        Share this article:
        © The Detroit Bureau 2023
        • Guides
        • Privacy Policy
        • Terms of Use
        • Affiliate Disclosure
        • Contact Us
        • Sitemap
        Follow Us: