Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles launches Canine Campervan Guide for the UK’s dog owners

26.08.2024
  • More than half of UK families (55%) plan to staycation in the UK this year
  • One in five will camp somewhere across the British Isles this summer
  • The UK is a nation of dog lovers, with one third of Brits owning at least one dog
  • Ready for this year’s National Dog Day, on 26 August, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles launches its Canine Campervan Guide, inspiring pet-friendly adventuring
  • Guide contains tips for campervan getaways with pets and the best dog-friendly locations to explore this summer

Milton Keynes, UK (22 August, 2024) – Ready for this year’s National Dog Day, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is launching its Canine Campervan Guide, to inspire adventurers and their four-legged friends, after its survey finds more UK families than ever (55%) are considering a staycation in the UK1.

As the nation’s most beloved pet – with a third of Brits owning at least one dog2 – organising travel arrangements can be an annual challenge for UK holidaymakers.

The UK’s staycationers plan on either walking (69%) or hiking (24%) during their holiday, making it the perfect getaway for both them and their pet pooch.1

Providing guidance and inspiration for dog owners this summer, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ Canine Campervan Guide combines tips and tricks for campervan getaways with pets, and a range of dog-friendly, lesser-explored destinations to discover.

These include:

  1. Packing for your pooch: before setting off on the road, make sure to pack a lead and seatbelt harness, dog bed, towel, portable water bowl, food for the duration of the trip, and a goody bag of toys and treats to keep your dog entertained along the way.
  2. Make sure your dog is comfortable and secure: in case of any sudden stops, ensure your dog is suitably secured in the campervan, using a seatbelt harness or fixable crate.
  3. Plan frequent pit stops: encourage regular rest breaks and hydration stops, to give your dog a chance to stretch their legs.

For further tips and dog-friendly locations to explore, the Canine Campervan Guide can be found here.

As icons of freedom and adventure on the road, Volkswagen campervans are the ideal vehicles for a getaway with pets, with the space, facilities and home comforts for any dog-friendly adventure.

The Volkswagen California 6.1 features a fully-fitted kitchen with a cool box, sink and stove kitchen unit and, as night falls, the campervan can be transformed to comfortably sleep four. With space for the entire family and their canine chum, the folding bench seat and swivelling front seats provide a highly flexible and adaptable interior, while integrated accessories – such as a stowable camping table and chairs – save on space when not in use.

At 6.0-6.8m, the larger motorhome variant, the Grand California, features a transverse bed which sleeps two adults, and an optional over-cab bed with space for two children. A built-in wet room and fully-fitted kitchen, living and dining space, provide even more home comforts on the road, without ever having to leave their dogs’ side.

Clever details, such as an external temperature controlled shower, allow Grand California users to hose sand or mud off their dogs after a long day of exploring, while easily accessibly storage cabinets and spacious interior provides plenty of room to comfortably store all the essentials for a dog-friendly adventure.

Putting the Volkswagen campervan to the ultimate ‘canine camping’ test, leading dog influencers, Jess (@foxredpeggy) and Alice (@hectorthechocolabo), experienced the Grand California’s dog-friendly features for themselves. Watch here to find out how they got on.

To find out more about Volkswagen’s range of campervans, visit: https://www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/en/new-vehicles.html

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Notes to Editors
1 Results are taken from a OnePoll survey of 1,000 UK parents, conducted in December 2023, commissioned by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
2 Statista survey, published January 2024, covering 2023. More information can be found here.

About Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles:
Over 70 years ago, the first Transporter arrived in the UK, creating a blueprint which others would follow: a van which gets the job done efficiently and reliably. Today, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles offers a diverse model range of commercial as well as passenger carrying and lifestyle models – from the compact Caddy, the evergreen Transporter and sturdy Crafter panel vans, dropsides and tippers, through the Multivan passenger carrier, and Caddy California, new California and Grand California campervans, to the ID. Buzz and ID. Buzz Cargo all-electric models, and the Amarok. The vehicles are as versatile and dependable as Volkswagens have always been, but the range is now wider, and more connected, modern and safer than ever.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is committed to working in partnership with individuals and businesses, providing them with the best products and aftersales support, whether they’re buying one or a thousand vans. For more information visit www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk

Press contact
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Press Team
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Jess Bowden-Eyre 07734 855245
Amy Allen 07983 535116

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