CITROËN UNVEILS ‘PAWLINGO’ CONCEPT BASED ON BERLINGO VAN, AS RESEARCH REVEALS OVER HALF OF OWNERS WORRY ABOUT CANINE COMFORT ON THE ROAD
2 October 2026
- Citroën unveils the ‘Pawlingo’ concept, a dog walker-focused adaptation of the Berlingo Van designed to maximise canine comfort and wellbeing on the road
- New Citroën research reveals 56% of UK dog owners worry about their dog's comfort when travelling, with a comfortable place to rest cited as the most important factor for dogs on a journey
- Demand for professional dog walking services continues to grow, yet only 53% of owners who have used a dog walker are confident vehicles are properly equipped for dog comfort
- More than half (51%) of owners say they would be more likely to use a dog walker whose vehicle was specifically adapted for canine comfort
- The ‘Pawlingo’ concept based on Berlingo Van features two air-conditioned spaces inspired by Citroën Advanced Comfort including dog beds along with additional welfare-focused travel essentials
- Citroën partnered with Blue Cross to shape the concept to ensure dog welfare was at the heart of the design
- Find out more about the ‘Pawlingo’ concept here: www.citroen.co.uk/pawlingoconcept
- To see the ‘Pawlingo’ concept in action, watch the YouTube video here
Citroën has unveiled ‘Pawlingo’ concept based on Berlingo, the UK’s best-selling small van in 2025. The concept provides dog walkers with the ultimate vehicle for transporting four-legged friends and has been developed in partnership with the pet welfare charity, Blue Cross.
Designed to provide comfortable and air-conditioned spaces for up to two dogs, the concept comes after new research found that comfortable bedding was the number one feature owners said would most improve their dog’s travel experience. A further 51% of owners said they were more likely to use a dog walker if their vehicle was specifically adapted for dog comfort.
The ‘Pawlingo’ Concept, based on Berlingo Van, features dog beds inspired by Citroën’s unique Advanced Comfort Technology, ensuring that all passengers can ride comfortably. Advanced Comfort seating technology is available on Berlingo Van and combines 15mm high-density foam with wider cushions to ensure ultimate support and comfort for occupants. This technology inspired the dog beds and accessories equipped in ‘Pawlingo’ Concept.
Not only does the concept vehicle bring Advanced Comfort to four-legged friends, but it also incorporates cameras in each space, along with air-conditioning set between 15-22°, the optimal temperature to ensure travel-related stress is kept to a minimum.
Additional features include a washing facility for muddy walks, with a built-in shower and cosy drying robes. On the other side of the van, there is a dry zone complete with harnesses, leads and a waste bin – as well as some treats to reward a good walk!
In order to bring the concept vehicle to life, Citroën partnered with leading pet welfare charity Blue Cross, to ensure that the concept vehicle provides the ultimate travel sanctuary for dogs. Blue Cross is a national charity that has been helping sick, injured and homeless pets since 1897. Every month it helps thousands of pets and their people by providing veterinary care, expert behaviour advice and finds homeless pets loving new families. It also offers education for future generations plus pet bereavement support for those who have lost their beloved pet companion.
Dogs are at the heart of the British life with an estimated 15.5 million pet dogs living in UK homes1. 41% of all households own at least one dog, up from a third (33%) just five years ago, making dog ownership more widespread than ever, and dogs a fixture of daily family life across the country.
But new research commissioned by Citroën reveals that despite Britain's love of dogs, 56% of owners worry about their dog's comfort when travelling in a vehicle. In fact, nearly half (47%) say a comfortable place to rest is the feature their dog would value most on a journey, more than double the next answer, "staying cool" (21%). Research also shows that 56% of owners worry about their dog’s comfort in the car, with 75% of owners having already brought accessories to make their dogs journey more comfortable.
As demand for professional dog walking services continues to grow alongside rising dog ownership, more dogs are spending time travelling between walks, parks and appointments. Yet despite owners placing significant importance on their dog's wellbeing in transit, many lack confidence that existing dog-walking vehicles are designed with canine comfort in mind.
31% of the 2,000 dog owners surveyed have used a professional dog walker, with London being nearly double the national average at 57.4%. Of the 31% of owners, 90% said that their dog’s wellbeing whilst travelling was important to them, yet only 53% were confident dog walking vehicles were properly equipped for comfort.
Greg Taylor, Managing Director, Citroën 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% 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 Citroën's Advanced Comfort expertise with features specifically designed to help dogs travel safely, comfortably and with minimal stress.”
Ryan Neile, Head of Behavior Services, Blue Cross, said: “With more dogs than ever part of UK households, it's vital that their welfare is considered wherever they go. The Citroën ‘Pawlingo’ Concept, based on Berlingo Van, highlights how thoughtful design choices, from comfortable resting areas to appropriate temperature management and monitoring, can help support dogs' wellbeing on the road. We're delighted to have contributed our expertise to a project that puts canine comfort and safety front and centre.”
The Berlingo Van has been on sale for 30 years and has constantly evolved to support tradespeople, retailers, delivery drivers and businesses in their daily lives. Citroën continues to offer customised configurations and a dedicated network focused on keeping individual business operations running smoothly.
The ‘Pawlingo’ concept, based on Berlingo Van, is another iteration of Citroën showcasing adaptive uses for its fleet vehicles. Berlingo Van was the best-selling small van in 2025 and is available with an efficient diesel powertrain along with a fully electric variant. The ë-Berlingo Van is built at the UK’s only volume EV manufacturing facility in Ellesmere Port.
ENDS
OnePoll survey of 2,000 UK dog owners who drive September 2026. Full data tables available on request.
Blue Cross has provided behavioural advice and guidance to support the development of this dog-friendly vehicle feature. Responsibility for the design, manufacture, safety, testing and performance of the vehicle and its features rests solely with Citroen. Pet owners remain responsible for ensuring the safe transport and welfare of their animals when travelling.
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About Citroën
Since 1919, Citroën has been creating automobiles, technologies, and mobility solutions to respond to changes in society. A brand of boldness and innovation, Citroën places peace of mind and well-being at the heart of its customer experience, and offers a wide range of models, from the distinctive Ami, an electric mobility object designed for the city, to saloons, SUVs, and commercial vehicles, most of which are available in electric or rechargeable hybrid versions. A pioneer brand in the services and attention paid to its private and professional customers, Citroën is present in 101 countries and has a network of 6,200 points of sale and service throughout the world.
Originally published by Citroën
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