Muddy dogs challenge: advantage Jeep

Brits spend nearly 900 hours cleaning up after their muddy dog during its lifetime, according to a survey of 2,000 dog owners by Jeep.

Over the course of a year, owners devote around one day each cleaning their canine companion (23 hours), muddy house (24 hours) and car (22 hours).

Jeep Wrangler drivers have an advantage when it comes to mucky pups in their cars. Underneath the floor mats there are a number of plugs which can be removed to allow water to drain.

Whilst this feature is typically used when off-roading, it also means any seriously muddy floor pans can be carefully hosed out and drained ready for the next ‘Paw X Paw’ adventure.

Inspired by the time Brits dedicate to cleaning up after their muddy dog, Jeep has worked with forensic soil experts at The James Hutton Institute to investigate which dogs pick up the most mud on their daily walks.

‘Paw’ticipants’ were instructed to go on three walks with their owners then tasked with collecting the mud picked up by the dog post-walk. The mud sample was then sent back to The James Hutton Institute to be weighed.

The Jeep ‘Paw X Paw’ campaign sets out to celebrate those muddy expeditions and find out which dog loves and attracts mud and adventure just as much as the Jeep range.

Jeep’s ‘Go Anywhere, Do Anything’ motto is one most dog owners will relate to, especially if their four-legged friends have a tendency to follow any trail, find every puddle and disappear off-road.

A sample of 30 dogs from around the UK took part in the challenge, from small breeds including Chihuahuas, to canine giants such as Great Danes as well as ‘wildcard’ mixed breeds, from the well-known Cockapoo to a more unknown Lhasa Apso Cross.

The first-of-its-kind study revealed the muddiest and most explorative adventures can come in all shapes and sizes, with Ollie Mo the Yorkshire Terrier crowned ‘Paw X Paw’ Muddiest Dog of the Year.

Ollie collected a greater proportion of soil compared to his own body weight than any other dog. Gathering 14g of soil on his walk – 0.29% of his own weight. He was followed in second place by Evie, a Bearded Collie, who collected 0.15% of her weight.

To celebrate the muddy dogs that took part in study, Jeep has created a muddy dog’s calendar which can be downloaded for free.

“Dog breed and size, environment and weather conditions, such as recent rainfall and soil type, all influence the amount of trace evidence that could be recovered from the canine suspects,” said Lorna Dawson of The James Hutton Institute