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New research* by ŠKODA UK has revealed that Britain’s dog lovers spend more than £4,000 per year on their pet, but just half safely secure their dog on every car journey.
At ŠKODA we love dogs, and we understand that these furry friends are a big part of the family. That’s why we want to make sure that you travel safely and comfortably with your dog in the car.
To help, ŠKODA has a wide range of dog accessories for pooches of every size including dog car harnesses, dog guards and even a rear seat dog hammock.
Enquire about Dog Accessories Offer
To mark International Dog Day on 26th August, ŠKODA, in partnership with BorrowMyDoggy – a national organisation that connects dog owners with trusted local people to help take care of their dogs – is highlighting how simple solutions can help keep dogs safe on the move.
Of the estimated 9.6 million dog owners** in the UK, ŠKODA research revealed more than seven million travel with their dog in the car at least once a week. However, just 51% said they always correctly secured their dog while driving, with 14% only doing it some of the time and 9% admitting that they have never secured their dog safely in the car.
The nation’s dog owners spend an average of £4,087.20 on their pooches, with food, pet insurance and edible treats the main outlay, but are risking doubling this cost for not securing pets safely when on the move. Nearly half (44%) are unaware of current laws around travelling with a dog in the car which can lead to a fine of up to £5,000 and invalid insurance.
According to the Highway Code, dogs need to be suitably secured so they avoid distracting the driver and to prevent injury in the case of a sudden stop.
The ŠKODA dog study revealed 12% of owners let their dogs sit on their lap or even on the dash (9%) while driving, while some let their dogs move freely around the car. This figure was even more pronounced among younger drivers (18-24 years old), with over a quarter (27%) letting their dog sit on their lap while driving.
In total, 68% of drivers said they drove more carefully with their dog in the car, though nearly a quarter (24%) said they found themselves to be more stressed.
ŠKODA has teamed up with BorrowMyDoggy to give tips to dog-lovers on the best way to travel in the car with a dog:
When thinking about their car, dog owners said that the most important aspects were firstly that it should be easy for the dog to get in and out (60%), followed by good boot size (51%), interior space (44%) and durable materials (43%).
Combined with ŠKODA’s extensive range of dog accessories, the KAMIQ – and entire ŠKODA range – ensures dog owners can rest easy knowing they have a spacious and practical car that keeps their dog safe and comfortable on every journey, with enough clever storage spaces for the extra items that are needed when travelling with pets. ...
Over the years we’ve won a number of awards for our dog-friendly models such as the SKODA SUPERB Estate and SKODA OCTAVIA Estate, which offer the kind of comfort and space our favourite furry friends all enjoy on a journey, no matter how long or short.
At ŠKODA we also think a lot about how we can help our working four legged friends, and are a firm favourite with the emergency services, providing bespoke ŠKODA models such as the SKODA KODIAQ and SKODA KAROQ – which all provide the pawfect environment for hard working dogs.
