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Top pet safe vehicles span from runt size to rhino
By Keith Turner
February 16, 2010
We love to drive with our dogs. And when we do, it’s important to keep them as safe and as comfortable as possible.
That’s one of the reasons that PetConnection sister site DogCars.com was developed: To give dog owners a sneak peek at what a vehicle has to offer in the way of protection for our pups and convenience for pup lovers.
DogCars.com reviewer Kim Campbell Thornton puts today’s vehicles to the test as she transports her girls – Twyla, Bella and Harper – on their daily rounds.
In fact, her recently posted reviews of the Nissan Versa and the Mazda CX-9 provide some surprisingly opposite ratings from Kim and crew.
Speaking of DogCar safety, Bark Buckle UP did an extensive study of the safety factors in today’s vehicles and came away with a list of the Top 10 pet safe vehicles. Michael Coates of mightycomm reports from Chicago:
Last week at the Chicago Auto Show, Bark Buckle UP founder and Pet Safety Expert, Christina Selter, announced the winners of the third annual Pet Safe Vehicles[ ... ]at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show.
The Top 10 Pet Safe Vehicles are (in alphabetical order):
Chrysler Town and Country (Similar to the Dodge Grand Caravan)
Dodge Journey
Ford Edge
Ford Flex
Ford Transit Connect
Honda Element (2010 DogCar Best In Show)
Kia Soul
Smart Car
Subaru Outback
Volvo XC60The safety features that qualify these vehicles are rear climate control, side curtain airbags and d-rings to harness pets.
A whole pack of dogs and their owners appeared Wednesday evening to model proper safety precautions. Selter demonstrated how a full-sized crate can comfortably fit in the back of a Smart Car.
In case of an accident, pets should be secured in vehicles so 1) they don’t get hurt, 2) run out of the car and cause another accident, or 3) attack safety personnel. According to Selter, a 65-pound dog riding in a vehicle going 35 m.p.h. becomes a 2,700-pound projectile if not securely fastened. Traveling with pets in their crates is the most cost-effective safety measure because most people already own a crate.
For these and many other dog friendly vehicle and product reviews, visit DogCars.com.
(Photo:Debbie Freidstat and Bentley show off the pup-carrying capabilities of the Smart car, which took home one of Bark Buckle UP’s Pet Safe Vehicle awards. The Smart has side curtain airbags and D-rings to harness pets, and it also features a fold-flat passenger seat that can hold pet transport carriers.)
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If that’s a “full-sized crate” I’m a size O supermodel. Just sayin’.
I wonder if Michael Coates has ever seen a dog.
The writer of the press release has a funny idea of full-sized.:)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — February 16, 2010 @ 8:03 am
And yet, go to any dog show or agility trial, and you will see a line of Toyota Siennas, with side-by-side real dog sized crates in the back. This alone makes me wonder who did the review.
Comment by Mikey — February 16, 2010 @ 9:01 am
Gina,
You’ll note I didn’t say or show a photo of a “full-size” crate and Bentley is no full-size dog, as cute as he is (that was their press release’s comment, which somehow got attributed to me). As the owner of a Smart ForTwo owner and two good sized (40 and 70 lb.) dogs, I’d have to say the car is pushing it for large dogs, although they can fit easily without a crate. There is a lot more space than people imagine behind the seats.
Comment by Michael Coates — February 16, 2010 @ 10:23 am
Thanks, Michael. And thanks Mikey. The thing is, no DogCar is right for every dog-owner. Kim and I do most of the reviews. She has three small dogs, and I have large ones. We find our opinion of what “works” is a varied as the size of our dogs.
What varies, also, is what we DO with our dogs. A person who’s hauling dogs and set-ups — crates, pens, shade cloths, cooler chests and more — to a day of agility needs a different vehicle than someone who’s taking a dog to hang out on the patio of a coffee shop.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — February 16, 2010 @ 10:33 am
My two main objectives when buying a car last month were: Does it have A/C vents in backseats (we live in the subtropics of FL) and can my dog crate and my cat crate fit in the cargo area.
I almost got the Volkswagen Touareg (I called it the Volswagen Tequila because I hated pronouncing Touareg), but at the last minute I chose the Honda Crosstour because I wanted a sedan/ SUV mix.
Plus, I have to admit, I wanted to have a ‘cool’ car after after having a Jeep Cherokee, Nissan Quest, and Nissan Pathfinder for my last three cars. I am so done done done with box-y autos.
Now, my kids, dogs, cats and I are happy; we feel cool with a/c for all— and look cool, too :)
Comment by ericka — February 16, 2010 @ 10:40 am
I am content with dog seat belts.
Comment by Erich Riesenberg — February 16, 2010 @ 11:53 am