Stories

A curated collection of stories to inspire you and your dog to get out there.

  • New Gear for Spring 2022

    This season, we’re highlighting waypoints – the places along life’s journey that hold significance. With our tail-wagging pals by our sides, we return to these spots time and again. Leaving new foot and paw prints. Collecting memories. Ready to kick off spring by retracing or discovering your waypoints? We’ve got you covered with our new spring gear from two of our top collections: Camp & Hike and Backpacking. 

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    A woman puts a collapsible water bottle in her dog's Ruffwear Palisades Pack.

  • Waypoints: Max Tepfer & Billy

    Part of the Waypoints Series. Why Max Tepfer and his sidekick Billy keep returning to a special climbing area in Oregon.

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    Waypoints: Max Tepfer & Billy

  • Waypoints: Abby Chan, Kona & Mochi

    Part of the Waypoints Series. Hear from Abby Chan about her dogs Kona and Mochi – and why they have a connection to this spot in Sedona.

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    Waypoints: Abby Chan, Kona & Mochi

  • Waypoints: Hailey Hagerty, Sky & Ripley

    Part of the Waypoints Series. Meet Hailey Hagerty and her dogs Sky and Ripley. Here's what she had to say about their connection to the location we joined them at for their photoshoot.

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    Hailey and her dogs Ripley and Skye backpacking in Sedona

  • Waypoints: Noël Russell, Sue & Fin

    Waypoints celebrate the places our dogs take us and the joy of returning to them together, time and time again. Read on to follow Noël Russell's journey of creating, re-visiting, and learning from the Waypoints she's discovered with her dogs over the years.

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    Waypoints: Noël Russell, Sue & Fin

  • Stories From the Trail: Backpacking with Nathan & Turkey

    Nathan and his canine sidekick, Turkey, share their stories from backpacking the alpine peaks of California, Montana, and Washington. They carry their packs and camp along the way as they summit beautiful mountain ranges, such as the North Cascades. Read on to see what they discovered on their journey.

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    A man kisses his dog on the snout while they are in nature backpacking.

  • Forever Changed: A Day with Guide Dogs for the Blind

    In 2015, Ruffwear's Service Dog Channel Manager, Greg, visited the Guide Dogs for the Blind campus for the first time. This is the story of his immersive experience on their campus and how it jump-started his passion for supporting the guide dog community with Ruffwear products.

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    Two Ruffwear employees stand in front of a Guide Dogs for the Blind bus.

  • 2 Years In: The Joys & Challenges of Working From Home with Dogs

    Now that many of us at Ruffwear have been working remotely for over two years, we are celebrating how working from home with our dogs has brought us closer to them. Read on to hear a few of our team members' takeaways from this wild two-year journey. 

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    A woman sits in a chair at home while her dog lays next to her on a dog bed on the floor.

  • A City Dog’s Guide to Adventure

    No one understands the city dog life better than Ruffwear Ambassadors Cory, Rafa, and their pup Bondi. Here, we’ve got the scoop on their top tips to kickstart city adventures with your dog.

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    Two men sit by the water in a city with their dog.

  • Gear Up Your New Dog: The Essentials

    We’ve rounded up our top 7 picks for the essential gear you’ll need when getting a new dog – think of it as your starter kit. One of our Pack Support experts, Kerry, shares how this gear will start you off on the right paw. 

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    A man walks on a dirt path in nature with his dog who wears a Front Range® Harness.

  • Dear Bella: A Love Letter

    Kami York-Feirn, Ruffwear's Social Media Coordinator, writes a love letter to her Bernese Mountain Dog, Bella – her ride or die and best friend. Whether they're enjoying peanut butter pancakes, supporting each other through life's ups and downs, or hiking a 14,000 ft peak at 4 a.m., these two are inseparable.

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    A woman wearing skis sits on a snow-covered mountain with her Bernese Mountain Dog.

  • Inspiring a Diverse Outdoors with Ambassador Alexis Martin

    For the month of February, we teamed up with photographer Tommy Corey on a project that highlights individuals who exude Black Excellence and leadership in the outdoor spaces. Ruffwear ambassador Alexis Martin is not only a trailblazer and nature photographer but also a leader within her community. Alexis is making her voice heard by speaking on important topics such as diversity and inclusion in outdoor spaces. 

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    Inspiring a Diverse Outdoors with Ambassador Alexis Martin

  • A Texas Dog's First Snow

    Ruffwear Content Creator, Erin Swanson, shares the first time she introduced her dog to snow. Read on to hear what she learned and glean tips for how to make snow a rewarding experience for your dog. 

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    A dog smiles in the snow while another dog runs by.

  • Busting Cabin Fever with Chris and Sammy

    For those winter days when cabin fever seems to be setting in, Ruffwear Ambassadors Chris Hill and Sammy (the one with the paws) share their tips for keeping the stoke high.

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    A woman picks up her golden retriever dog and poses with him in the snow.

  • Winter Paw Protection: Polar Trex™ Dog Boots

    Winter conditions can leave paws cracking, scraped, bleeding, or packed with uncomfortable snowballs, cutting the snow day short. What do you do when the bounding stops and the paw licking starts? The Polar Trex™ Boots can give your dog freedom to keep exploring through the winter months.

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    A dog plays with his toy in the snow while wearing Ruffwear Polar Trex™ Dog Boots.

  • Graham & Pebble's Quest for Rest

    Graham is an award-winning alpinist who explores the mountains, trails, and crags of Central Oregon with his fun-loving canine sidekick, Pebble the doodle. In this article, this Ruffwear Ambassador duo share how they hit pause on playing hard to rest and recharge.

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    A dog, named Pebble, rests on her Ruffwear Restcycle™ Dog Bed.

  • 2022: The Year For Possibility & Spaghetti

    This upcoming season, we’ve shifted from survival mode, we’ve unpacked the baggage of the last (nearly) two years, we’ve started building habits for a better future—we’re ready for the season of thriving. I’m hopeful for us all to return to ourselves, to take our lessons learned, and to put them into practice as we begin a season of light again.

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    2022: The Year For Possibility & Spaghetti

  • Give, Shop, and Wag Like a Local

    Nate and Dani Wyeth live in Bend, Oregon with their golden retriever, Ranger. They offer tips for holiday-ing like the locals here in Bend. You can make these tips work for doing the same in your neck of the woods, too.

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    A golden retriever dog runs toward its owner in the snow.

  • How Kerry Irving & His Dogs Raised £41,000 for Charity

    On November 12, Kerry Irving set out on a 16-mile walk with his dogs, Harry and Paddy, to raise funds for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity that supports children & young people who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces. 

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    One of Kerry's dogs looks out on a lake from the Catbells Walk trail.

  • We're Pawing It Forward ... And You Can, Too!

    At Ruffwear, we’re purpose driven – we believe in using our business for good. Cultivating a world where all dogs and their human companions thrive in the outdoors is part of our DNA. Looking for ways to give back this Giving Tuesday? Here are some of our favorite organizations we’ve given back to recently. 

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    A dog smiles and gives its paw to its owner.

  • New Gear for Winter 2021

    As fall transitions to winter, we bring you new colors for a few of our winter favorites. With these fresh pops of color, your dog will stand out in the blankets of powder. Brighten up your canine sidekick’s winter attire with new colors like Fired Brick, Campfire Orange, and Aurora Teal. 

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    A dog and its two owners play in the snow with the Ruffwear Quinzee™ Dog Jacket.

  • How Rogue Detection Dogs Inspired the High-Vis Web Master™

    Rogue Detection Dog Bounders (handlers) Heath and Jennifer had some great words and pictures to share with us about their history with the Web Master, and how their work and partnership contributed to the development of the High-Vis Web Master.

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    How Rogue Detection Dogs Inspired the High-Vis Web Master™

  • Trick or Treat Trader™: Dog Treat Recipes, Games, and Ideas

    This spooky season, we’ve got you covered with dog treat ideas and recipes from our Ruffwear team. And keep that tail wagging – check out our treat-inspired ways to play and connect with your dog. 

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    A woman gets treats out of her Treat Trader™ Bag to give to her dog.

  • PRIDE Weekend Adventure with Cory, Rafa, and Bondi

    In this story, Cory, Rafa, and Bondi (she’s the one with the four paws and tail) share their adventure to Portland to celebrate PRIDE Weekend. They explore this dog-friendly city as they celebrate an important life experience.

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    Bondi wears her Ruffwear Float Coat™ Dog Life Jacket while on a raft in the water.

  • 4 Things to Consider Before Backcountry Skiing with Your Dog

    Riding in the backcountry can be one of the most fun activities you do with your dog. With proper planning and practice, you can share powder turns with your best friend! Here are four things to consider before enjoying the backcountry safely with your tail-wagging sidekick.

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    A dog with its human companion head out to ski in the backcountry!

  • Van Life: Coast Road Trip with Bree & Noodle

    In this story, Ruffwear Ambassador Bree shares how her van road trip along the PNW coast offered her dogs a chance to grow in a new environment. One of her dogs, Noodle, navigated trotting along the shores and splashing in the ocean with her scooter – leaving her mark of sandy paw prints and scooter tracks behind.

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    Two dogs and their owner relax in their van.

  • Running in the Rain: Tips from Krissy & PD

    As autumn starts to work its way into our weather forecasts, these tips from as seasoned of a running duo as ambassadors Krissy & PD have us eager to lace up and get out with our ever-eager canine sidekicks – rain or shine.

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    Krissy and her dog PD running on a muddy trail

  • What My Rescue Dog Taught Me About Growth

    In this story, blog contributor Erin Swanson shares how her rescue dog, Odin, has grown, adapted, transformed... and how he's inspired her to do the same.

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    Closeup of a happy dog

  • New Gear for Fall 2021

    This season, we’re tapping into the inner explorer within us all and following the curiosity to seek new experiences – to grow, adapt, transform, and become. As summer transitions to fall, our new gear is designed to help you and your pup shift gears and keep the dog days going.

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    New Gear for Fall 2021

  • Passing on Legacies

    In “Passing On Legacies,” Ruffwear’s Dove Gibson explores her own journey of becoming that has been marked by the bounty of lessons she’s learned from a lifetime of rivers, her partner, Clell, and her two dogs, Midge and River.

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    Fishing boat rows down Deschutes River.

  • Talking Carbon & Sharks with Our New Sustainability Manager

    Ruffwear recently welcomed David Bennett (and his dog, Ginger) to the Pack as our Senior Sustainability Manager. We caught up recently to learn more about him and the work the team is doing to support Ruffwear's sustainability journey.

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    Dog running ahead of mountain biker on leaf-covered trail

  • Van Life: Our Golden Doodle Cheat Code

    Ask any vanlifer what some of their favorite things about the lifestyle are, and it’s definitely better than 50/50 odds that they will mention the people they get to meet on the road. When it comes to meeting people on our road-travels, our pup Astro is what we call "a cheat code."

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    Dog and human in forest with van in background

  • A Statue for Max the Miracle Dog

    There’s a new addition to Hope Park in Keswick, England – a bronze statue with four legs, a tail, and “Max the Miracle Dog” inscribed on the bench it sits on. This tribute to a very special dog was revealed July 2, 2021 with Ruffwear Ambassadors Max and his human Kerry (and about 2,000 fans) in attendance.

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    Max the Miracle Dog with a bronze statue of himself

  • 5 Tips for Mountain Biking With Your Dog

    Ruffwear Ambassador Laura Patton and her dogs Star and Colt are big fans of hiking, biking, and skiing through the endless terrain of their Pacific Northwest home. Here are Laura's top 5 tips for getting started when mountain biking with your dog.

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    Laura and her dog mountain biking together

  • 5 Ways to Keep Your Dog Cool This Summer

    With a solid hot-weather strategy, you and your dog can keep exploring, even amidst the sweltering days of summer. We’re here to help with our top gear and essential tips for keeping your dog cool.

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    Dog wearing boots running on rocky trail with their human mountain biking

  • How To Camp With Your Dog

    There’s camping – and then there’s camping with your dog by your side. Their presence alone elevates every little moment. Their curiosity is contagious, their zeal inspiring. With a bit of preparation and the right gear, you’ll be en route to a good time camping with your dog.

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    How To Camp With Your Dog

  • From Canines to Kids: Pregnancy Brings Adventure Dog-Training to Bear

    I wasn’t one of those girls who dreamed of her wedding day, having a family, and decorating a home. I dreamed of adventures and exploring the world with dogs – lots of dogs – all with a handsome guy by my side, of course! But it seems Mother Nature had her own ideas. 

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    Maria holding her puppy in her arms getting kisses.

  • New River. New Park. New Inspiration.

    When it comes to product design and color choice, Ruffwear’s Product Design & Development team looks to nature—to the wild places and landscapes that inspire and connect us. The New River provided the inspiration for one of our newest leash and collar patterns.

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    new river gorge aerial view.

  • The Value of a River

    Jilkaat Heeni, the Tlingit name for a river that others know as the Chilkat River, means “Storage Container for Salmon.” The Tlingit people have stewarded the Chilkat Valley since time immemorial. Its watershed offers sustenance and habitat for both wildlife and people living in the nearby Klukwan and Haines communities.

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    Chris carries fishing pole walking along river while dog runs behind in Float Coat.

  • Ruffwear Ambassadors: Get to Know Theresa and Cassie

    Cascade (Cassie) and her human, Theresa Silveyra, are among the newest additions to the Ruffwear ambassador team. Read this interview to learn more about the opportunities Theresa's creating for women of color in the outdoors and how she and Cassie enjoy the outdoors together.

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    Theresa runs with her dog Cassie through the mountains.

  • Singletrack to Sea: An adventure to the edge of Canada

    I’ve known for a long time that spending time in wild places, with friends and dogs, is where I feel most alive. In a year where the world turned on its head, exploring outside with Arnie was the one constant when every other part of life seemed so uncertain. 

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    Bronwyn and Arnie running on beach at sunset

  • The Bowl That Started It All

    It all began in 1994 with a lightweight, packable bowl to fuel dogs on the go. It opened up a new world of exploring with our dogs – a world that has in turn fueled our inspiration ever since. 

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    5 dogs eating out of 5 generations of Ruffwear quencher packable dock bowls.

  • Packs and Trails with Amara the Shepherd

    If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a dog parent, it’s that having a pup allows you to experience life and everyday adventures in a whole new way. For Noami and me, hiking is our favorite pastime. So when Amara joined our pack, there was no doubt we would bring her along on all our adventures.

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    Noami and Amara in backpacks by a waterfall.

  • Behind The Design: The Switchbak™ Leash

    With plenty of double-ended leashes already out there, our designers set out to put a Ruffwear twist into a classic design. Ruffwear's new sliding V-rings and silicone-dipped webbing stand apart from the typical fixed rings and leather. Together, they create a smooth-adjusting leash and a soft, supple hand-feel. 

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    Human has switchbak leash attached to front and back attachment points of front range harness on dog.

  • Dog Days

    We walked into the first of 5 pods of 20 or so kennels. In the second kennel was a dog that shook me out of the fog. She had the softest, shiniest fur and the funniest long hair on her tail like an ostrich feather. Her big brown eyes slayed me. She was the happiest thing I’d ever seen. I turned to Brie and said, “I want this dog.”  

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    Two humans snuggled up with dog inside tent while camping.

  • New Gear: Spring 2021

    Dogs add lightness, joy, and connection to everything we do – whether they’re your companion while you seek out a place of belonging in the outdoors, your sidekick as you conquer new heights together, or your motivation to simply keep going.

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    Hector sits on log next to alpine lake getting kisses from his dog in Front Range day pack on a hike.

  • New Season Sneak Peek: My Dog Is My...

    Ready for a sneak peek at what's new for Spring and Summer 2021? We’re taking a deeper look at the role dogs play in getting us outside as we navigate life’s journey. 

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    Dog in switchbak harness walks along hiking trail.

  • My Dog is My Sidecar

    At a time when my life and my future felt like they had shattered into pieces and I was trying to pick them back up, Bernie was the furry, steadfast presence of love and thrill that allowed me to hold it together and eventually build something even better than I had. Bernie is always by my side. He’s my sidecar.

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    Anna on off road handcycle and Bernie on leash next to her bike down the River Trail in Bend.

  • Meet the 2021 Ambassador Pack

    Have you met Ruffwear’s Ambassadors yet? These 38 dogs and 31 humans are explorers that inspires us. They get outside and live out our shared beliefs that dogs make us whole and shape us through the adventures we share.

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    Ambassador Chris gets a handshake from her dog Sammy in an overcoat utility jacket in front of the Chilkat mountain range.

  • All Work & All Play: Avy Dog Inspired & Tested Toys

    As snow blankets ski areas across North America each winter, avalanche rescue dogs are clocking in and going to work on the slopes. These highly-trained dogs and their ski patroller handlers train at their home mountains every day during ski season.

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    Ski patroller plays tug with pacific loop toy with avy dog dressed in web master harness.