What is the story behind the dogs and Subaru?

What is the Story Behind Dogs and Subaru?  

Did you catch the latest Subaru ad promoting the 2025 Subaru Forester labeled, “Love Begins with Trust?” Why is your favorite SUV company showing support for a rescue dog instead of demonstrating how its all-wheel drive easily conquers remote trails to your campsite?

Subaru has been embracing the relationship between humans and canine companions since 2010. And it’s a marketing campaign we can all get behind.

Connecting with Customers through the Heart

When the first commercial launched, Subaru Marketing Executive Kevin Mayer told the press they did it to “Emotionally connect with the customers.”

For the average viewer, the campaign ticked all the right boxes. If you are packing up your SUV for a weekend getaway to Mt. Charleston, isn’t it the best thing to include your furry friend? Imagine a car that also takes the needs of a four-footed passenger into its design.

Combine that with a partnership with the ASPCA, annual fundraisers, and local pet adoption events, and it’s a feel-good business plan. Of course, it’s not just about the bottom line.

Dog Tested. Dog Approved.

When the dog-centric ads first hit the air, the tagline, “Dog Tested. Dog Approved,” appeared on every spot. It put the use of seatbelts designed for pets front and center. Happy panting pups hanging their heads out the window. Jumping into a spacious rear compartment sized just right for their needs.

Yes, your dog belongs in the car! Because so many of them, “Wanna go for a ride!”

Meet the Barkleys

In 2013, Subaru next launched the Barkleys, a family of Golden Retrievers that embraced daily life drama while driving their own rides. Taking the puppy out for a drive to get them to sleep. Getting caught on Lover’s Lane and even parking in the garage while chasing the tennis ball. It’s all part of living in a Subaru as a growing family. They learned to use the woof-activated navigation, rain-sensing wipers, and, yes, hiking their favorite trails at the park. If the Barkleys love their Subaru, your own canine will adore it, too.

Smart Accessories You Can Choose for Your Own Furry BFF

Of course, tugging at your heartstrings is not the entire reason to encourage you to hop behind the wheel of a new Subaru. It needs to back up those doggy commercials with practical applications. You can add a selection of accessories to your SUV that support a safer ride for your furry friend.

Ask about harness belts that clip into the seatbelt system, a folding ramp that connects to the rear bumper to help your small or aging friend get up and in, and even a crate designed for the cargo compartment are just a few items on the list.

Take a Test Drive in Your Next Dog-Approved Subaru Today

Are you in the Las Vegas area shopping for an SUV that features all the right upgrades for your best boy? Swing by Centennial Subaru and take one of our dog-tested vehicles out for a ride today.