by Matt Konkle
Torque Editor-in-Chief
An entirely open air cab with the wind blowing through your hair is a great way to turn that mundane driving time into some heart pumping, road-traveling excitement.
And that adrenaline-fueled fun isn’t just limited to you inside that cabin, either. For all you dog owners out there, it is certainly the same feeling your pet gets when it climbs inside the Jeep for that journey to wherever.
Well, if you are out celebrating National Dog Day today with your four-legged furry friend, you should know Autotrader, a respected online marketplace for car buyers and sellers, has once again named the Jeep Wrangler as one of its top-10 best vehicles for dog lovers.
”Trips around town or to local destinations have become an important part of our lives these last few months, and for many people that means bringing along their pets as they hit the road," said Brian Moody, executive editor at Autotrader. "To help new-car buyers that are traveling with four-legged friends, we've carefully curated a list of the best cars that offer great comfort and safety features while also making the lives of pet parents just a little easier."
The distinction marks the second year Autotrader has called out Jeep’s Wrangler as a top pet-friendly vehicle, and this year it said Wrangler works because “We (normally) like cars for dog owners that sit lower to the ground. The Jeep Wrangler definitely isn’t one of those – it sits high off the ground but everything else about the Wrangler is perfect for dog owners – the Mopar accessories, available collapsible dog kennel, TONS of aftermarket products and the ability to go just about anywhere with your pet.
“The Wrangler’s removable top and doors allow your dog the ultimate ‘head out the window’ experience … but while, it’s not safe to let your dog stick its head out the window, the open-top Jeep can duplicate that feeling safely,” Autotrader said in its review.
“Our dogs are our family and we want to make them part of the action,” said Jim Morrison, head of the Jeep brand for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. “There is nothing like rolling through the backcountry in the Jeep Wrangler with our four-legged friends."
In curating the list, Autotrader looked at several features on certain vehicles it considered pet-friendly, as well as things that would overall make a pet comfortable when traveling.
The first is leather seats, which Autotrader says are easier to clean and are a bit more durable for those with dogs. However, cloth seats also have their advantages and can be less slippery under a dog’s paws, making it easier for him or her to stay put when the car is cornering or braking. The cloth is also more comfortable, staying cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Next is tinted windows which can help reduce heat inside the vehicle. However, Autotrader stresses dog owners should never make the mistake of thinking it is OK to leave their pet inside a parked Jeep just because it has tint on those windows. If your Jeep does not have tinted side or rear windows, there are plenty of available options that make great window upgrades.
Autotrader also believes a level cargo floor makes it easier for your dog to get in and out, plus it makes carrying something like a crate or large dog bed a bit easier. For vehicles with small cargo areas, a 2nd-row seat that can fold flat is the ideal solution. Additionally, Autotrader says a low cargo area makes it easier for small dogs to get in and out and is easier on the joints of older dogs. This is the main reason there aren’t any large, truck-based SUVs or pickups on its list.
Finally, Autotrader says vehicles that have rear air vents are perfect to keep fresh, cool air circulating around your dog, while those with cargo area tie-downs are crucial for securing crates, attaching harnesses, and holding in place wire or mesh barriers.
For Wrangler, as the vehicle is easily modified, there are also dog-friendly options like the DirtyDog Pet Divider system, high quality floor liners to protect the carpet, and even durable seat covers that can help enhance the interior of your Jeep, while protecting it against prying paws. For other great options, check out our Jeep Interior category.
National Dog Day began in 2004 to celebrates all breeds, mixed and pure, and serves to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of dogs that need to be rescued each year, either from public shelters, rescues and pure breed rescues.
