Dog Guards

On guard... as we go in search of the best way to keep your dog under control and safe when it's in the car

Auto Express Car Reviews

May 2006

It's not only people who need to be secured in a vehicle when it's moving. In a head-on collision, anything which isn't fixed in place will pose a threat to occupants as it hurtles forwards - and that includes your pet dog. This is why keeping your faithful hound in the boot with a dog guard is essential for safety.

The majority are designed to fit vertically between the rear seats and the roof, and can stop items getting through from the boot to the main cabin. Their primary aim is to keep man's best friend in his place, but they can double up as a barrier to prevent luggage coming forward, which can be equally lethal.

Most products use a series of extendable bars and are wedged in, but you need to ensure they are secure. If it fits poorly, a dog guard will become another dangerous moving object in a smash.

Verdict

The finish of the Saunders T3 really shone through in this test. It may not be the easiest product to assemble, but your hard work will be rewarded with a first-class dog guard.

In a close second place is the Trilogy Universal, which came ready to fit, so was easy to install. Taking third spot is the other Saunders offering, which lost points purely because of its higher price.