With over 3.2 million dogs purchased during the pandemic, Dick Lovett has put together an ultimate guide for new and seasoned dog owners alike to identify which cars are the best for their furry friends. 

Dick Lovett analysed 50 of the highest-rated cars for pet owners to seek out the top cars that are the best for transporting you and your best friend anywhere from beautiful nature walks, to long summer road trips.

Having space for your pup is a must-have for anyone travelling with a four-legged friend. The index looked at the following factors to determine which car is best; the size of the boot, cabin noise, whether the car had a hands-free tailgate, the height of the boot lip to the ground, and miles per gallon.

Travelling with a dog means you have to follow the rules of the road. The Highway Code includes rules on driving with pets. Rule 57 of the code states the following:

"When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars."

The car that takes the top spot is the Land Rover Discovery Sport.

The metrics that felt the most important to make a dog owner's life that little bit easier were the size of the boot, cabin noise, whether the car had a hands-free tailgate, the height of the boot lip to the ground, and miles per gallon. 

For example, boot size is definitely the most important metric to be considered. While smaller breeds may not need huge amounts of space, their owners still need to transport around wellies, coats, towels, water bowls and a whole manner of accessories. Cabin noise and miles per gallon were next in the ranking of importance; loud cars can cause dogs anxiety making for an uncomfortable car journey, and of course, miles per gallon is a great way to get the most for your money when taking your dog on that long-awaited Summer 2022 road trip.