Stories

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

  • How To Find Dog-Friendly Trails

    Finding a dog-friendly trail is equal parts art and science, navigating features like water access and steep terrain with leash regulations and dog rules. We’ve got your quick-start guide to finding dog-friendly trails in your neck of the woods (or wherever you’re headed next). So grab your leash, round up your pup, and let’s hit the trail. 

    How To Find Dog-Friendly Trails
  • Dog Paw Anatomy: Parts of a Dog’s Paw

    We dig into the basic (yet awesome) anatomy of a dog's paw and how boots can be a helpful part of your dog's kit.

    Close up of a dog wearing the Summit Trex™ Dog Shoes.
  • Detection Dogs to the Rescue: Saving the Mediterranean Tortoise

    Can pups really help save the Mediterranean Tortoise from the brink of extinction? Ruffwear Ambassador Alfonso Pera Contreras introduces us to his detection dogs, Jara and Olivia, who are carrying out vital detective work to help this endangered species thrive again in Spain. 

    A man stands next to a detection dog.
  • Reading With Marv: A Therapy Dog's Greatest Gift

    When not busy with their day jobs as Ruffwear’s Retail Brand Experience Designer (and the unofficial Director of Dogs & Culture for Marv), Mary and Marv are a therapy dog team for the Reading Partners Program at Elk Meadow Elementary School in Bend, Oregon. This is their story. 

    A woman and her dog hug and smile for the camera.
  • Snow Camping With Theresa & Cassie

    The crisp morning air jolted me awake after a fitful night of sleeping in the snow. I took a deep breath, exhaling a misty cloud before pulling my sleeping bag even more tightly over my face. Cassie lay beside me, snug and warm in her Powder Hound™ Jacket, cozily pressed up against my sleeping bag for extra insulation. 

    A woman and man sit with their dog on a snowy mountain.
  • How To Throw a Howliday Party for Dogs

    This holiday season, we barked the halls and had a ball at our first Ruffwear howliday party for dogs. That’s right, there was a belly rub station, barkuterie board feast, and dog caroling (erm, howling) event. Interested in throwing your own? Here’s what goes on behind the scenes to plan a holiday party for dogs.

    A woman, man, and their dog dressed in holiday outfits pose for a picture at the Ruffwear Howliday Party photo booth.
  • 'Tis the Season To Be Giving: Our 2022 Paw It Forward Winners

    At Ruffwear, we believe in using our business for good. Our Paw It Forward program helps us cultivate a world where all dogs and their humans thrive in the outdoors. Seeking some giving inspiration this holiday season? Here’s a recap of our Paw It Forward winners for 2022. 

    A woman high fives her dog while in the snow.
  • Katie & Spaghetti: Press Play the Fall Way

    Ruffwear Ambassadors, Katie and Spaghetti (the one with the paws), share how they press play during the fall season – including their favorite indoor games to exercise Spaghetti's mind. 

    A woman and her dog stand in a camper van.
  • Wilbur and Pretzel, Rescues to the Rescue

    In early 2020, Elizabeth suffered a serious injury while helping a friend with a sick horse. Here, she shares how adopting two rescue dogs actually rescued her and helped them all heal together.

    A woman poses with her two dogs while on a hike.
  • The New Hemp Hound™ Sweater: A Sustainability Move?

    Hemp in the outdoor apparel marketplace these days has a compelling sustainability narrative around it. Well-known brands are ramping up the use of this undeniably cool fiber. I’m often asked if the new Hemp Hound™ Sweater was a “sustainability” move. And, to answer, I’ll defer to the longtime favorite Facebook relationship status – “it’s complicated.”

    A woman and man run with their dog on a desert trail.
  • The Furness™ Jacket: A Game Changer for Cold-Weather Exploring

    Ruffwear Ambassadors Katie & Quinci are desert-dwelling, trash collecting, and community-loving outdoor enthusiasts. They live in Arizona and spend as much time as they can hiking, paddleboarding, climbing, and backpacking. Here, Katie shares how Ruffwear's Furness Jacket has kept Quinci warm on cold & windy excursions. 

    A small dog sits in a woman's lap while they are out in nature.
  • New Gear for Winter 2022

    This winter season, we’re taking a cue from our dogs and pressing the play button. Whether you and your pup are hitting the slopes or fetching sticks in a crisp city park, our Innovative Insulation Collection will provide the warmth to extend your winter play. 

    A woman snowshoes uphill with her dog beside her.
  • How To Plan a Trip to Canada With Your Dog

    Ruffwear Ambassadors Noodle and Shamus (and their humans, Bree and Kyle) just wrapped up a road trip to the Canadian Rockies. Read on for Bree’s tips for crossing the Canadian border with dogs and discovering national parks with dog-friendly trails – including how she found trails that were a fit for Noodle, her pup with a spinal cord injury.

    A man and his dog hike in the Canadian Rockies.
  • 5 Things I Learned on My First Backpacking Trip with a Puppy

    Quincy and her 8-month-old Blue Heeler, Chorizo (trail name, “the Sausage”), recently headed out for their first backpacking trip together. Not everything went as planned, but they learned together and had fun along the way. Read on for Quincy's tips for backpacking with a puppy. 

    5 Things I Learned on My First Backpacking Trip with a Puppy
  • Explorer in Training: Navigating Life With a Puppy

    Kellie Peaslee is an avid outdoor enthusiast – from hiking hundreds of miles throughout the U.S. to backpacking all four seasons. Her blog, The Dirt Bag Hiker, provides hiking and fishing resources to inspire others to explore the outdoors – as well as a section called "Dirty Dog" for those bringing their fur-covered friends. Kellie recently adopted a Brittany puppy named Hatch. Here, she shares what she's learned while navigating life – and the outdoors – with a puppy.

    A woman sits by a lake with her puppy.
  • How To Clean a Dirty Dog's Dirty Gear

    Dogs know how to play, and that means splashing and crawling through nature’s biggest mess-makers. We’ve got you covered with our dog gear cleaning instructions and solutions to your toughest cleaning puzzles. 

    A man and dog walk on a muddy hiking trail near a waterfall.
  • How Do Ruffwear Ambassadors Spend Their Summers?

    We checked in with our Ruffwear Ambassadors to hear how they splashed, hiked, canoed, and climbed the summer days away. Read on for their top highlights. 

    A woman and her two dogs go paddleboarding on a lake.
  • Go, Hugo, Go! A Journey From Guide Dog to Detection Dog

    Abby Smith had dreamed of working as a conservation dog handler since childhood. But her German Shepherd, Hugo, started out on a different path. As a puppy, he trained to be a guide dog – with Abby as his puppy raiser. When a health test led to Hugo’s release from the program, Abby adopted him and started working as a handler for Rogue Detection Teams. Hugo joined her for the ultimate experiment: can a former guide dog-trained pup swing it in the detection dog world?

    Hugo, a Rogue Detection Dog, poses with his two family members.
  • How To Take a Multi-Day Rafting Trip With Your Dog

    Ruffwear Ambassador Becca Bredehoft is a professional paraglider pilot, tandem instructor, and photographer. She adopted her canine sidekick, Tala, from the Navajo Nation. One of the duo's favorite ways to explore together is on multi-day river rafting trips. Here, Becca shares the tips & tricks she's learned along the way.

    A woman and her dog sit on a raft while river rafting.
  • Rachel & Nova’s Adoption Anniversary: Backpacking on the Pacific Crest Trail

    Ruffwear's very own Rachel Jurgensen shares the journey of how she and her dog, Nova, celebrated the 4-year-anniversary of Nova's adoption by backpacking to and from the place where they first met – Odell Lake along the Pacific Crest Trail.

    A woman goes backpacking in the mountains with her dog.
  • Behind the Design: Pacific Gnaw-west Toys

    We checked in with Ruffwear Founder, Patrick Kruse, and design team members, Timothy Gorbold and Liz Zarro, to get the scoop on the inspiration behind the Pacific Gnaw-west Toy Collection. 

    A man throws a Gnawt-a-Stick™ toy for his dog who chases after it.
  • New Gear for Fall 2022

    With our new fall gear, we’re elevating your play experience by bringing you new colors, designs, and styles from our Trailhead Collection.

    A dog wearing a Web Master Harness runs on a trail while his human companion bikes behind him.
  • Press Play with Noami, Dustin & Amara

    Time to take a cue from our dogs and press the play button. How? We turned to Noami, Dustin, and their sidekick, Amara, to find out. They're some of the most fun and playful Ruffwear Ambassadors we know – and Amara inspires them daily to infuse play into a hectic life.

    Press Play with Noami, Dustin & Amara
  • The Paths We Share: Trail Running with Nathan & Turkey

    Nathan Nee is an ER Veterinarian. He and his canine sidekick, Turkey, live for exploring the trails together. They've run, hiked, and camped through the mountains and switchbacks of Colorado, Utah, Canada, and Washington. Here, Nathan shares how traversing these paths with Turkey has not only strengthened their bond, but helped him find his own path forward in life.  

    A man holds his dog while standing on the top of a mountain trail.
  • Tips for Living in a Tiny House with Big Dogs

    Seven years into living the tiny house life, Laura and her pups, Star and Colt, are masters at maximizing their space, exploring outside, and enjoying the togetherness that living tiny brings. We checked in with Laura to hear her top tips for living in a tiny house with big dogs. 

    A man and his two dogs sit on the front porch of their tiny house.
  • Sustainability Update: Chemicals Management at Ruffwear

    We checked in with Kelly Hughes, Ruffwear's Sustainability Program Manager, to learn about the chemicals management process at Ruffwear. And, most importantly, how it's our responsibility to use chemistry wisely to protect our consumers, supply chain partners, and the ecological systems in which our manufacturing facilities are located.

    A woman hikes with her dog in the mountains.
  • The Artist & Rez Dog Rescuer Behind the Desert Sunrise Collection: Vernan Kee

    Vernan Kee, Ruffwear’s Artist Series pick, is a graphic designer, endurance athlete, and rez dog rescuer living on the Navajo Nation. We checked in with him to hear his inspiring story. 

    Vernan Kee walks with one of his adopted dogs in the Navajo Nation.
  • Waypoints: Ashes on the Arizona Trail with Katie & Quinci

    Ruffwear Ambassadors Katie and her canine-sidekick Quinci recently said goodbye to a member of their pack, beloved dog Chipper. To honor his life, Katie and Quinci embarked on a 67-mile, 6 day hike of the Arizona Trail where they spread Chipper's ashes in a bed of wildflowers. 

    A woman and her dog hike along the Arizona Trail.
  • Waypoints: Tom & Ruby

    There's no speedier duo than Tom & Hungarian Vizsla Ruby on the trails – Tom on his mountain bike and Ruby on her four paws. Here, Tom shares their favorite waypoint for biking and running, Wakerley Woods.    

    A man mountain bikes while his dog runs beside him.
  • How To Road Trip With Your Dog: 8 Practical Tips

    Hitting the open road means something different to everyone – maybe it’s about exploring uncharted territory or seeing new places through your dog’s eyes. Whatever your reason, we’ve got you covered with our top 8 tips for an epic road trip with your dog. 

    A woman sits next to her dog in the trunk of her car at a beach.
  • A Puppy’s Guide to Road Tripping

    When you’re as attached to your dogs as we are, your entire world revolves around them. We love to hit the road, and we’ve become fluent in the art of road tripping with your doggos. We’re here to share a few tips on how to make it more enjoyable for all when you've got a new puppy. 

    A woman walks with her dog and puppy at a campsite.
  • Top 4 Dog and Kid-Friendly Summer Activities

    Ruffwear Ambassador Maria Christina Schultz is an outdoor enthusiast, certified stand up paddleboard instructor, and author. Her dogs are her constant companions. Maria's pack recently grew with the addition of her son. Here, she shares her tips for 4 dog and kid-friendly summer outings, plus dog training and gear advice to get you started. 

    A woman sits on a paddleboard with her baby and throws a toy for her dogs.
  • Tips for Running with Dogs in Summer Heat

    Ruffwear Ambassador Krissy Moehl is a running coach, author, race director, and public speaker. Her favorite running sidekick is her pup, PD. Seeing the trails through PD's eyes adds a whole new spin on her passion. Here, we checked in with Krissy and PD to learn their tips for running in the summer heat.

    A woman and her dog smile at the camera on a break from running.
  • Waypoints: Moira & Jada Finding Their Way

    Ruffwear's very own Moira Hundley shares the significant experiences she's had with her canine sidekick, Jada, at their favorite waypoint – Good Dog Park in Bend, Oregon. 

    A woman and her dog sit at a desk in the Ruffwear building.
  • Picking Favorites: The Flagline™ Harness

    We're not supposed to pick favorites, but when a harness is as lightweight, comfortable, and versatile as this one is, it's hard not to.

    Two humans and two dogs wearing Flagline™ Harnesses hang out rock climbing outdoors.
  • Pups of a Paralympic Champion: Meet Gold Medalist Allysa Seely & Her Service Dogs

    Paralympic Gold Medalist Allysa Seely attributes much of her success to her service dogs, Bentley and Mowgli. Here, we learn just how much support they've provided along her inspiring journey.

    Allysa Seely sits with her service dog on a hike.
  • Experiencing Growth With Dogs By Our Sides

    I often wonder what would it be like to see ourselves through our dogs’ eyes? Would they remember the person we were 7 years ago? Would they notice both the small and large ways in which we’ve changed over the years?

    A woman sits with her dog by a mountain lake.
  • The Story of a Life-saving Therapy Dog

    Kerry Irving is a Ruffwear Ambassador, and so was his life-saving therapy dog, Max. Max passed away in April of 2022, remembered by his loved ones and thousands of loyal fans. We caught up with Kerry to hear the incredible story behind this miracle dog’s legacy. 

    A man and his dog sit and look at the sunset.
  • Cool Safety Tips for Hot Dogs: Advice From Dr. Bronwyn Fullagar

    Summer is full of long days, happy tails, and dusty tired legs. Before you and your canine companion embark on your first warm weather mission, veterinary surgeon Dr. Bronwyn Fullagar shares her key safety tips to keep your dog cool in the summer heat. 

    A woman runs on a mountain trail with her dog.
  • Powder Hound Turned River Runner

    Ruffwear's own Caroline Eyman and her lovable Husky-Shihtzu, Atka, moved across the country together from Vermont to Bend, Oregon. Atka had never been one to enjoy water – unless it came in snow form – but everything changed when she saw the river. This sparked an idea in Caroline: could she get Atka on a paddleboard? Read on to see how this duo took a chance on a new hobby and discovered a lasting way to connect on the water. 

    A woman paddleboards with her dog on a river.
  • Sustainability Update: Launching Our Climate Action Plan

    Over the past two years, we've been building on our sustainability work by developing and launching a Climate Action Plan. We’ve made some bold goals, and we’re working hard to reach them. Here’s what we’ve done so far, what we’re doing now, and where we’re headed in the pursuit of sustainability with our carbon footprint.  

    A woman runs on the grass near mountains with her dog.
  • Our Carbon Pawprints

    Something I’ve been curious about for a while is to what extent having a dog in my life impacts the planet. Finn is now 12 years old, and our lives revolve around him. He eats every day, has toys, travels, and has clothes and adventure gear the same as me. Let's look at Finn's carbon pawprint by focusing on the impacts of his food and apparel. 

    A man stands in a field with his dog while backpacking.
  • Leave No Trace: Dog Edition

    Our epic camping and hiking excursions have an impact on the environment and wildlife, but we’ve got you covered. Here are ways to keep the stoke high while minimizing our impact. 

    A man walks on a hiking trail with his dog.
  • How to Backpack With Your Dog

    Ready to head out on a multi-day excursion with your pup? Discover tips, tricks, and gear for backpacking with a dog.

    How to backpack with a dog.
  • Ruffwear in Mexico: Meet Bernardo & His Four Shop Dogs

    With a presence in over 45 countries, Ruffwear's gear enables outdoor adventures across the globe. Today, we want to introduce you to Bernardo – the owner of Outdog who lives in Mexico – and his four shop dogs, Frida, Chelsee, Cesarin, and Leika.

    A man and his dog sit and pose on an alley road in a city.
  • 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. 

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

    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.

    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.

    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. 

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