I'm planning on getting a diesel CRV this year ( 2nd hand ) I want one of the older versions with the side opening tail gate, as I reckon this would be more practical for the dogs. My question is to anyone who has one, how good are they when it's slippy on the roads, and how good are they for dogs ?

I have the new 2007+ model and its bloomin' fantastic!!!

Very good on the road in bad weather, very economical on fuel, lots of space for dogs in the back and for luggage etc. in the rear seats!  I have bought a tailgate guard for the back so that the dogs have maximum space in there and it's safe to open up the door without all the dogs jumping out.  I don't know what difference the side opening tailgate would make on the older models.  The other good thing I find re: the dogs (but I suppose it depends what breed you have) is that its not a really high jump in or out so apart from when they're puppies you don't have to lift the dogs in our out, or if you do it's not very far off the ground - or its easy to teach the front paws up and then help them in by lifting the back end etc...

Until recently I had a petrol version of the old style CRV (2004). I loved it and it was fine on slippy roads, and brilliant for the dogs. It was also wonderfully comfortable. I particularly like the fact that you can have the tailgate closed but still have the tailgate window open, and if you happen to have a puncture the spare tyre is easily accessible, being on the tailgate, so crates don't need removing. I didn't find it particularly economical but am sure the diesel is better. I only changed to a smaller car because I really don't do the mileage and the costs for running it were too high (road tax was £245).

Thanks for the reply's, chuffed to bits it gets a glowing report. The deisel is a bit more economical Pedlee, but the cost of the fuel is higher, but the tax is a bit cheaper, £200 I think.

I have a giant breed and two SBT's so great that the tail gate isn't that high, Ben the T Mastiff likes to make a bit of a show getting in a car, I keep telling him his breeds supposed to be able to clear 6ft with ease but he doesn't believe me lol.
I didn't know the tail gate window opened ! how brilliant is that !

I've got an old R reg (petrol), it's done 130k and is an incredibly reliable car.  I do various events, country fairs etc, and can fit my marquee (tubular steel section one, not a folding one), tables and all my stock in it.  And (the best thing of all and I've been waiting for somewhere to brag about this) it's got a folding picnic table!!! 

Eh ?, the car has a folding picnic table ?.....cool.

Yes a folding picnic table came as standard with my 2004 model as well. I hasten to add I never used it as I had crates in the back and it would have been more trouble than it was worth to get them out!