Women may make 60 per cent of car purchases and influence 85 per cent of consumer decisions, but the latest research suggests the real power lies with the one who wears the paws in the family.

According to a survey by the American Kennel Club, nearly half of dog owners (47 per cent) are swayed by the needs of their four-legged friends when choosing a new vehicle. Among those who have owned their dogs 10 years or more, the number climbs to 52 per cent.

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According to DogCars.com, a site whose founders test drive and review vehicles for canine-friendliness, the best "dogmobiles" (for reasons that include everything from windows that help prevent puppy nose-prints and recessed cup holders that "deter a paw in the latte") are the Honda Element, Nissan Xterra, Dodge Nitro, Dodge Grand Caravan, Honda Fit Sport (for smaller dogs), Jeep Compass, Kia Sedona, Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Subaru Forester (more than 60 per cent of Subaru drivers are pet owners), Suzuki Forenza Wagon, Toyota Rav4 and Volvo's XC90.

By Misty Harris, CanWest News Service

Click here (http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=dba514ab-75d4-4e7d-9ac7-797288eae843&k=67629) to read the entire story

Don't know how the Xterra is so high on the list. :confused: The guy I bought my first E from has one and it's so high up, he has to lift his dogs in - and they're not small dogs! Also to fold the seats down, you actually have to take out the lower seat cushions entirely and leave them in your garage (or in the back, taking up the cargo space).

Just my $.02. I so wanted a Forester or Outback before the E came out. Now there's no question in my mind :D

I will say that the pups were the major reason I bought the E...
Actually, they were the reason I was looking for a new car to begin with.

I will say that the pups were the major reason I bought the E...
Actually, they were the reason I was looking for a new car to begin with.

For me it was a combination of dogs and hauling crap all over the place. And washability!

I'm still mad you can't actually hose them out...:mad:

I'm still mad you can't actually hose them out...

Technically, you can hose them out to your heart's content.

It's the "driving them afterward" part that's difficult. :D

- Jeff

Technically, you can hose them out to your heart's content.

It's the "driving them afterward" part that's difficult. :D

- Jeff

Dammit couldn't they have put those wires and circuits in the WALLS? :mad: I'm tempted to take out the spare tire and put a doggy pool in there :D

As my dogs are never "just pets" but are part of the family, any decision to buy vehicles is ALWAYS influenced by them. As already stated (even without the Dogcars.com poll), the E is PERFECT for our non-human family members. It's also low enough to the ground where, as they get older, they can still get in and out easily. I do like the doggy pool idea.......
Dogs RULE!!!! :-P:-P:-P