Nissan has gone to the dogs, but it’s all good. With the belief that while traveling dogs should be as safe and comfortable as their owners, the new, elaborate “Rogue Dogue” project vehicle prototype debuted at the New York International Auto Show.

“For all of the dog lovers at Nissan, the Rogue Dogue is so much fun – the equivalent, I guess you could say, of riding with your head out the window if you were a dog,” said Michael Bunce, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc.

“Of course, we also take pets’ safety very seriously, which is why the Rogue Dogue includes secure leash fastening attachments in the second row and rear cargo area – along with numerous other features designed to make family travel with dogs more enjoyable for everyone.”

The Rogue Dogue modifications installed in the project vehicle includes:

• Secured, removable custom dog bed in the rear cargo area
• Built-in (fold-down) non-spill water dispenser
• Built-in (fold-down) non-spill dog food dispenser
• Slide-away dog ramp for easy access to rear compartment for small or elderly dogs
• 360-degree (hoop and hose) dog shower with a 10-gallon pressurized water reserve
• Integrated dog drying system with compressed heated air dryer and outside hose attachment
• Heated air vents for rear cargo bed area
• Easy-to-clean custom interior materials
• Modified second-row/cargo area pass-through passageway
• Removable pet partition with Rogue Dogue logo between the second row and cargo area
• Second-row dog hammock (clips around front and rear headrests)
• Raised rear floor in rear compartment housing utility drawer and dog ramp; drawer faces covered in custom easy-clean upholstery
• Side wall mounted poop bag dispenser
• Rear facing passive side view mirror cameras (video sent to hard drive) to capture dog’s road trip experiences – head out the window, interaction between dog and other drivers – for later viewing
• Dog first aid kit
• Harness clips mounted in rear compartment
• Rogue Dogue logo key fob

In a survey of dog owners by Nissan, the most appealing dog-friendly features were the clip-in harness hook, a non-spill water dispenser and the slide-away dog ramp.

“Everything that we built into the Rogue Dogue project is actually very possible to add to a production Rogue, though you do compromise the available rear cargo area slightly for the ramp, storage compartments and the food and water dispensers,” said Dennis McCarthy, owner, Vehicle Effects, Sun Valley, Calif. “But really, next to your family, your dog is your most important cargo, so why not?”

Bunce added: “More than 75 percent of dog owners in the survey said that having optional features specifically designed for their dog’s safety and comfort would impact their decision on which vehicle to purchase. So potentially, every dog might have its day – and their custom-equipped Nissan Rogue, too.”

The Rogue Dogue is based on a 2017 Rogue SL with the Platinum Reserve Interior Package, featuring premium tan leather-appointed seats with special quilted leather inserts.

The 2017 Nissan Rogue, the manufacturer’s top-selling vehicle, has a new look, enhanced utility and an expanded suite of available Nissan Safety Shield technologies. A gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain – available in two grade levels and a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive – is available for the first time in Rogue history.

A new Rogue Sport model – slightly smaller, sportier and more affordable than Rogue and designed for younger, urban SUV buyers – goes on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in spring 2017.

For more information on the 2017 Nissan Rogue and the complete line of 2017 Nissan sedans, sports cars, trucks, crossovers and SUVs, visit www.NissanNews.com.