Autotrader Releases National Dog Day Data

According to Autotrader’s National Dog Day survey, canines matter when it comes to car shopping. Fifty-six percent of those polled in the Autotrader survey actively consider their dog when they shop for a new car. And 22 percent of those surveyed admit they either have or would take their dog on a vehicle test drive. According to 2014 data 75 percent of those polled take their dog in their car at least once a month and 53 percent do so once per week.

With the importance so many put on their four-legged friends, it’s no surprise some dealers go out of their way to be dog friendly. Among those dealers catering to dogs is Frank Kent Cadillac in Fort Worth, Texas. Frank Kent actually has a dog park built onto their property. Any of their customers coming in for service or waiting get access to a dog park complete with a creek for water play. Corrie Churchilll, co-owner of Frank Kent Cadillac told Edmunds this feature eases the burden on dog owners.

Churchill explained, “We have so many guests who bring their dogs to our Cadillac store that we wanted a place for pets to stretch their paws as their parents waited for their vehicle to be serviced.”

Taking things as step further is the Friendly Auto Group out of Tennessee. Employees working for the group are encouraged to bring their dog to work. Also speaking to Edmunds about their dog friendly practices was Pamela Regan, HR manager for the Friendly Auto Group. Regan explained, “We used to have an occasional ‘bring your pet to work’ day, and many employees would bring in their dogs. One day, the owner, Mitch Walters, who is a dog lover himself, said, ‘Let’s just make this an everyday thing.’ ”

Also in anticipation for National Dog Day, Autotrader produced a list of the top dog-friendly vehicles. That list of dog-friendly daily drivers was comprised of:

• Audi allroad
• Ford Edge
• Honda Fit
• Jeep Renegade
• Kia Sedona
• Lincoln MKC
• Mazda3
• Mercedes-Benz GLA
• Subaru XV Crosstrek

Brian Moody, executive editor for Autotrader, spoke about this subject. In a statement, Moody said, “We know car shoppers take every aspect of their lifestyle into account when shopping for their perfect ride, and four-legged friends are no exception. The cars on our list provide key features for pet owners, such as fold-flat rear seats, rear lift gate, low ride-height, airy cabin and under-floor storage.”

How pet-friendly is your store? If a customer comes onto your lot with their dog is it a welcome addition or a burden to keep your eye on? How far should dealers go out of their way to accommodate car shoppers who want their dog with them every step of the way?