dog friendly car

ali-t

I am planning to change me car soon and am looking for one that won't smell of wet dog - getting rid of the dogs is not an option!!

I currently have a honda jazz which is great and one dog goes in the boot and the other goes in the back with the magic seats flipped up. the problem is the smell if we have been to the park or the beach and the upholstery now stinks.

Ideally I am looking for a car that doesn't have carpet/fabric in the boot and has a large enough boot that a rottie and a staffy can fit in it. I don't want anything too big like a hi-lux but love that they can be hosed out when they are dirty.

I also don't want anything like a berlingo or anything else that looks like a van with seats.

I should get £4-5K from selling my current car and could go up to about £10K for a replacement. any ideas?

Inactive

ali-t wrote: »

I also don't want anything like a berlingo or anything else that looks like a van with seats.

I should get £4-5K from selling my current car and could go up to about £10K for a replacement. any ideas?

Get a van without seats, any car is going to smell of dogs under the circumstances.

I love dogs, but I will never buy a used car that smells of dogs.

marlot

The dog walkers around here seem to like the berlingo

Legacy

How about a Volvo V50? Get a plastic boot tray with high sides and then you can just hose that off. Similair to this:
http://www.evolvestore.co.uk/images/uploaded/box1.jpg

We've got a V70 and own a Weimaraner and a HuntawayxCollie and they've loads of room in it. The V70's tend to have built in pull down dog guards as well that are really sturdy. But I note you say that you dont want anything too large, which is why the V50 may suit you better.

hethmar

I think you would be a billionaire if you could work out how not to get a smelly car if you have dogs

We bought a new Golf Plus last September because it has seats that push forward so both our mutts can sit in the boot area but have a lot more space. You can get dog trays to go in your boot and we have a vet mat which is washable.

jeannieblue

Dog smell proof car? I think you just need trays/vet bed/seat covers which can be removed and washed or.... as some people I know, have really old bangers for the dogs and another car they keep for 'best'.

Hintza

You want to remove or cover as much fabric that will hold smells:-

Leather interior helps

Decent Dog guard (probably the manufacturers one)
Decent heavy duty seat covers
And rubber mat/tray.

Keep windows open when the dogs are wet and in the car and air the car regularly. Make sure dogs never get onto the seats.

Cage for the back might also be a good idea.

harveybobbles

marlot wrote: »

The dog walkers around here seem to like the berlingo

The Berlingo can make you look like a erm, y'know...

I have two dogs and my car doesnt smell. They both sit happily in the boot. Non malting dogs are the ones that dont smell to be honest.

hethmar

harveybobbles wrote: »

The Berlingo can make you look like a erm, y'know...
.

Oh, I dont know, please tell me, as I was thinking of getting one just to use for dogs.

gilbert_and_sullivan

I know....the Berlingo makes you look like you have some common sense when it comes to cars and not in the least interested what anyone else thinks of your choice...sounds good to me.

ali-t

harveybobbles wrote: »

The Berlingo can make you look like a erm, y'know...

I have two dogs and my car doesnt smell. They both sit happily in the boot. Non malting dogs are the ones that dont smell to be honest.

I know exactly what you mean. There is no way I would drive a doblo, berlingo, van or anythinkg like that. I don't want to look like crazy dog lady or a delivery driver.

My dogs don't smell particularly bad unless they are muddy, have been swimming in the sea or rolling in fox poop (i.e. nearly every walk!) and I don't plan to only take them clean places just to save the car.

I have never fancied driving an estate car either and having looked at the volvo website I quite like the xc60 but it is totally out of my price range.