Citroen has revealed the ‘Pawlingo’ concept, designed as the ultimate vehicle for professional dog walkers.
Based on the Berlingo, the UK’s best-selling small van in 2025, the Pawlingo was created in collaboration with the Blue Cross pet welfare charity.
Inside the Pawlingo are two dog beds, similar to Citroen’s ‘Advanced Comfort Technology’ high-density foam seats used in the Berlingo.
Cameras to monitor the two pet travel spaces are included, along with air conditioning to keep the van between 15 and 22 degrees C. This is said to be the optimum temperature range for reducing canine stress.
There is also a washing facility with a built-in shower, while the other side of the van incorporates a storage area for the all-important dog treats.
Packed nose to tail with features
Underpinning the Pawlingo concept is research undertaken by Citroen, which learned there are now 15.5 million pet dogs in the UK.
Some 41 percent of households have at least one dog, up from 33 percent five years ago. The increase in dog ownership has also driven the use of professional dog walking services.
Almost a third (31 percent) of dog owners said they had used a professional walker, with Londoners on nearly twice the national average at 57.4 percent.
Of those who have used a walking service, 90 percent said their canine’s wellbeing when travelling was important.
However, just over half (53 percent) felt confident that dog walking services’ vehicles were properly equipped for comfort.
Helping dogs travel safely and comfortably
Greg Taylor, managing director of Citroen UK, said: “With more dogs travelling as part of professional walking services, owners rightly expect their pets to be transported in comfort.
“Our research shows that more than half of dog owners worry about their pet’s comfort in the car, while 51 percent would be more likely to use a dog walker if their vehicle was specifically adapted for canine wellbeing.
“The Pawlingo concept is based on the number one-selling Berlingo van. The vehicle is our vision of what that could look like, combining Citroen’s Advanced Comfort expertise with features specifically designed to help dogs travel safely, comfortably and with minimal stress.”
Ryan Neile, head of behaviour services at Blue Cross, added: “With more dogs than ever part of UK households, it’s vital that their welfare is considered wherever they go.”
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