Bend, OR

Ruff Wear, the leading producer of high performance dog gear, introduces new products for Fall 2009 including a Polartec® recycled fleece dog jacket, two interactive dog toys, a lightweight, collapsible dog bowl and a strength-rated climbing harness for dogs.  These new products are available starting October 1st.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, thirty-nine percent of U.S. households own at least one dog, so even our canine companions are leaving their paw prints on the environment.

This holiday season dog lovers can turn to Ruff Wear for new eco-sensitive stocking stuffers for dogs. Ruff Wear has two new interactive “green” toys that dogs will love. The SquareBall™ rubber dog toy features interactive commands for training or play. The Sqwash™ is a pliable rubber dog toy that is soft on dogs’ teeth and gums. Like all Ruff Wear rubber dog toys, they are made from natural (versus petroleum based) rubber, a renewable and sustainable resource.

Give your four-legged friend the gift of warmth with the Climate Changer™ Fleece Dog Jacket, the newest addition to Ruff Wear’s performance apparel line for dogs. Made with Polartec® Classic 200 recycled fleece fabric, this jacket is great for dogs that love to be outside in cold, clear conditions. The Climate Changer is also comfortable enough for dogs to wear indoors for extended periods. This fleece dog jacket contains 87 percent recycled content, minimizing the product’s carbon footprint. The Climate Changer was recently honored by Polartec® with the APEX Award for outstanding achievement in design and innovative use of Polartec® fabric.

US spending on pets will be up in 2009
The American Pets Product Association (APPA) estimates that in 2009, Americans will spend an approximate $45.4 billion on their pets -- a $2.2 billion increase from what pet owners spent in 2008.

Also consider these great gift ideas:
Bivy Bowl™ - Ultra-Lightweight Portable Dog Bowl
Innovative collapsible food and water bowls for dogs put Ruff Wear on the map back in 1994. The new Bivy Bowl is designed with welded fabric technology that creates a watertight seal eliminating the need for two layers of fabric.  This dog bowl is ultra-light and ideal for backpacking adventures.

The DoubleBack Harness™ - Ruff Wear’s New Climbing Harness for Dogs
Some want to scale the high points in all 50 states and others set their sights on climbing Colorado’s Fourteeners. Now, Ruff Wear makes it possible to safely take your canine companion along on your next climbing adventure with the DoubleBack Harness. This adjustable strength-rated safety harness is designed for climbing, mountaineering, canyoneering, and lifting and lowering your dog in exposed areas. 

“Creating quality products that address our customers’ needs has contributed to Ruff Wear’s double digit growth in 2008. The new fall 2009 products from Ruff Wear demonstrate the company’s commitment to an increasingly sustainable product line. Several of our new products incorporate sustainable or recycled materials. The Climate Changer, for example, will save the energy equivalent of 7.2 pounds of carbon dioxide per jacket compared to virgin polyester,” said Patrick Kruse, Ruff Wear’s founder.

Ruff Wear Contact: christyc@sundropmedia.com