ATLANTA –

Dogs: they’re an endearing bunch, aren’t they?

Especially when they have the chance to jump in the car.

An Autotrader survey released Friday — National Dog Day, by the way — found that dogs may be your wingman one minute, and have a mind of their own the next.

(About a quarter of dog owners have used Fido to flirt while in the car; Dogs are also significantly more likely to be an uninvited guest on the driver’s lap than a welcome one, Autotrader found.)

But they’re nonetheless steady road-trip companions for many folks: more than half of dog owners bring their pup along for a ride at least once a week and two-fifths have gone on 100-mile-plus journeys with the dog.

And here’s the kicker for dealers: four-fifths of dog owners are more likely to buy from pet-friendly stores that, for example, allow dogs on test drives, hand out dog toys/treats or support animal causes, Autotrader said.

The company found that most (87 percent) have not brought the dog along for the test-drive, but nearly half would think about it.

The dog may figure into the vehicle purchase decision, itself. Autotrader said that a quarter of dog owners bought from a different vehicle segment than their current ride because of their pet.

Not to mention, two-thirds say at least consider the dog during the car-buying process.

And when dog owners go to buy, they look for easy-clean fabrics, all-weather floor mats and pet-friendly seat belts or restraints.

Autotrader also named five ideal vehicles for dog lovers, those being the

  • 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  • 2016 Nissan Pathfinder
  • 2016 Toyota 4Runner
  • 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
  • 2017 Volvo XC90