About Ruffwear

Ruffwear, the ultimate brand for any dog lovin’ hikin’ enthusiast. The founder Patrick Kruse went from solving simple issues that arose from hiking with dogs to developing and owning a fully-fledged and successful brand, focusing on sustainability and smart features. But how did it all begin? Scroll down to read more.

Ruffwear – The American brand for hikers by hikers

Ruffwear’s founder, Patrick Kruse, grew up in a family full of love for both dogs and hiking. One of his goals growing up was to design products that combine these two passions. Today Ruffwears’ products are sold worldwide. Below you can read more about how Ruffwear went from being an idea to a fully-fledged and very popular brand for adventure lovin’ dogs and dog owners.

Ruffwear’s history and its cores

Patrick Kruse grew up with dogs and his american family often went hiking. In the year of 1973, he wanted to bring his dog on a hiking trip and bought some bags from a store. He then sewed them together and voila – the first dog backpack was born.

During a camping trip 1992 he spotted one of his friends trying to get her dog to drink water from a plastic bag. This inspired him to find a solution and a couple of days later the first collapsible dog bowl prototype was born. The beginning of Ruffwear.

It’s 1994 and Patrick is showing off his collapsible dog bowls on a hiking exhibit and the audience loves it. Ruffwear revolutionized the market with a completely new category – dog hiking gear. And the demand is huge. Soon enough the garage and work force of a single man isn’t enough, and in 1998 he decides to move to Bend, Oregon. Mountains, water and deserts – the perfect place for hikers. Here he finds his first employees and Ruffwear continues to expand.

After 9/11 Ruffwear decides to design dog shoes to make it easier for rescue dogs to get through. Helping working dogs has always been and will always be a main focus for Ruffwear.

In 2008 Patrick attends a course about avalanche rescue dogs in Alta, Utah. Ruffwear becomes the default supplier for American ski resorts and international rescue teams. To this day, Ruffwear’s team continues to attend the course every year to gain further insight on how rescue dogs work and their needs.

Throughout the years Ruffwear has supported various organisations that helps dogs or the environment, for example The Conservation Alliance which works to preserve nature and Conservation Canines which rescues hard-to-home dogs and instead lets them assist environmental scientists during expeditions. One of Ruffwears’ main cores is the wellbeing of all dogs, even rescue dogs. Therefore, they founded a dog adoption program with Best Friends Animal Society in 2015 which connects active humans with equally active dogs.

All of this hade made Ruffwear into the popular and successful brand that it is today. It’s become a favourite brand for dog owners all over the world – both for hikers and people who just want an easier day-to-day life with their canine companion. And Ruffwears’ main focuses are unchanged; to make every dog’s life easier, whether it’s a rescue dog or a working dog, and to preserve the environment. They strive to be as climate friendly as possible, which includes using sustainable and climate friendly materials, reducing waste and to create sustainable products.

Their practical and sustainable products continue to make dogs’ and working dogs’ lives easier every day.

 

Ruffwears’ collections for different activities

One of Ruffwears’ main focuses has always been to design practical products for different purposes and activities. Below you can read more about them.

Summer and Water Gear for Dogs

Products designed for the summer months and hot climates. Ruffwear’s summer and water gear cools as it protects. How about a dog life jacket, a cooling vest or a floating dog toy?

Winter Gear

Products designed for the winter months and cold climates. Ruffwear’s winter gear warms as it protects against snow and rain during your daily walks, hikes and other activities. Check out the warm Powder Hound winter jacket or maybe the pulling harness Omnijore – perfect when going skiing.

Front Range

Inspired by the Front Range mountains in Colorado, this collection is perfect for dogs that are ready to take their first steps into the wilds. Optimized for maximum comfort in your day-to-day life as well as out in the wilds, this collection is perfect for hiking newbies who want to share their first outdoors adventures with their canine companions.

Camping and Travel Gear

Products designed to make your trips easier. Longing for some time on the road with your dog, but tired of clumsy dog accessories? Then you’ll love these products. How about a portable dog bed, dog sleeping bag or collapsible dog bowls? Or why not the revolutionary dog-hitching system, Knot-a-Hitch? You’ll no longer have to choose between keeping your dog on a leash or letting it run free. Knot-a-Hitch provides your dog with maximum freedom and safety while still being on leash.

Running Gear

Products designed to make running with your dog easier. Invest in a lightweight Hi & Light dog harness or a cooling vest that cools even on the hottest days.

Climbing Gear

Products designed to enhance the hiking and climbing experience for both dog and owner, for example collapsible dog bowls and the Flagline dog harness with handles on its back which makes for easy lift-and-assist.

Human Gear

Products designed to make dog owners’ everyday lives and hiking experiences easier. This allows you to focus on the most important thing – enjoying the beautiful moments you share with your dogs. Invest in a small or big waist-worn bag where you can fit dog treats, dog bags or a small dog toy while out on a walk or a hike.