Own a dog, drive a Skoda

Driver Guides  General Guides 

We're not sure if this particular piece should be aimed at drivers…or their four-legged friends. Either way, Skoda was recently announced as the official automotive partner of Crufts, the UK's most prestigious canine gathering.

This year's event, which was held at Birmingham's NEC earlier this March, saw Skoda further enhance its popularity as the UK's best brand for dog owners – as voted for by various car magazines over the last 12 months. Yes, that is actually a thing.

Last year, an Auto Express judging panel named the Octavia Estate as the Best Car for Dogs, while Car Magazine also awarded Skoda top marks, naming the Superb Estate as its number one choice for owners with dogs. Summing up the Superb's canine appeal, Car magazine's experts said: “A class-leading 660-litre boot is the clincher here – even a Great Dane can't complain – and its reversible load floor keeps one side clean for non-dog duties.”

The Superb also took top spot in Carwow's review of dog-friendly cars, with the reviewers concluding: “The Superb's 660-litre boot means even the biggest dogs shouldn't be left wanting for space, and the large opening and low load lip makes jumping in and out easier.”

It seems to be the case that if you have a dog in the family you really should be leasing a Skoda.

While 2023 marks the first official partnership between Skoda and Crufts, the brand has enjoyed a very close relationship with dogs and their owners for many years. Skoda has continually developed a wide range of safety and comfort accessories which allow owners to transport their furry friends securely and comfortably at all times.

Dog safety accessories

Pet safety has driven Skoda to develop one of the biggest ranges of bespoke dog safety accessories in the industry. 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. A study carried out by Skoda last year revealed the importance of using correctly designed and fitted restraints.





The survey found that 12% of owners let their dogs sit on their lap while others let their dogs roam freely around the car. This figure was even more pronounced among younger drivers (18-24 years old), with over a quarter letting their dog sit on their lap while driving. There are even people out there (actually, 9% of respondents) who are quite happy to let their dog sit on the dashboard while driving – obviously the dog isn't driving…they can't reach the pedals from the dashboard.

To make finding the right dog accessory easier, Skoda has created a special Pet Pack that comprises a dog guard, rear bumper protector and a double-sided boot mat or rubber boot liner. The pack is available for all Skoda models (except Scala) and is priced from £230 (excluding fitting). Dog owners can also choose from a range of harnesses that can be easily attached to their vehicles' existing rear seat belts.

If you visited Crufts you may have seen Skoda partnering with the charity Dogs for Good to help raise awareness of the amazing cause, which brings people and dogs together to help make life possible for people with a range of disabilities. The two Skoda Kamiq compact SUVs that starred in the brand's recent TV advert, were donated to the organisation to support their invaluable work.

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