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Looking for new blog posts about exploring with canines? Wondering what’s the latest with gear and all things Ruffwear? Our blog has moved, and you can find it here. We’re keeping this site up for now as we move posts over to the new platform, but all new content will be posted over at ruffwear.com/blogs/explored. Thanks for reading ..read more

Ambassador Field Notes: Winter Yurt Camping with Tala Story and Photos Contributed by Ruffwear Ambassador Becca Bredehoft This winter my partner Cade and our dog Tala decided to explore the snowy backyard in style by renting a yurt in the Idaho backcountry. I had a big grand plan — we would ride our fat bikes in and cruise the beautifully groomed trail system surrounding our little slice of paradise for two days. The approach would be quick and easy with our bikes, we wouldn’t need to bring much since the yurts are well-stocked, and they start grooming by mid December. It would be low ..read more

Bonding with a Broken Heart Story and Photos Contributed by Ruffwear Ambassador Maria Christina Schultz Puppies are hard to resist, especially for dog lovers like me. But plopped in the grass in my neighbor’s backyard – surrounded by six chubby puppies who needed homes – I deliberated. At long last, our pack – Kona, Riley and me – was perfect, and I was hesitant to disrupt the balance. That’s when something else flew into the picture. A hummingbird. The tiny creatures were special to my mom, and since we lost her five years ago, they’ve meant a lot to my family and me – all of us seei ..read more

5 Tips for Powder Hounds Written by Ruffwear Pack Member Riggins Hi! I’m Riggins, an office dog at Ruffwear. I’m also a trail runner, crag dog, pine cone connoisseur, and powder hound. One of my favorite wintertime activities is backcountry skiing with my humans. There’s nothing better than bounding through fresh powder as I chase my humans down a ski line in the mountains — although finding sticks in the snow and strategically dropping them in the skin track is a close second. I’ve learned a few things over the years, and below, you’ll find a five of my best tips for powder hounds (or aspirin ..read more

But I Love Wyoming Story and Photos by Ruffwear Ambassador, Katie Pollack I like a lot of places we have ventured, but I love Wyoming. Last summer, I spent 4 days in the Wind River Range with my dogs Chipper and Quin trying to wrap my mind around its beauty and variety.  It’s filled with alpine peaks, colorful valleys, water sources, high desert, mountain towns, and friendly faces. We spent the first day exploring near Pinedale, WY. We walked along the Green River, explored some dirt roads, and spent the evening in a small, rustic AirBnB cabin. We would be heading out on a backpacki ..read more

All Work & All Play How avalanche rescue dogs inspired, tested, and fell in love with our new toys. As snow blankets ski areas across North America each winter, avalanche rescue dogs go to work keeping us safe on the slopes. These highly-trained dogs and their ski patroller handlers train at their home mountains every day during ski season. They work in the most extreme weather conditions and demand a lot from their gear – making them excellent partners for wear testing and developing new gear. This season, that gear came in the form of two new toys: the Pacific Ring and Pacific L ..read more

Whether you’re searching for just the right gift for your own furry companion or for the ultimate dog lover in your life, Ruffwear is here to help. We’ve curated a gift guide based on outdoor activities. From the dog park to the dirt trail, from a powdery snowscape to a long stretch of road in the middle of nowhere, our collections offer something for everyone. STOCKING STUFFERS GIFT GUIDE Gifts under $30 that will please any dog and human duo while leaving enough left over for treats. Toys that float and toys that fly, toys that bounce, roll, and hold rewards: our toys offer somethin ..read more

Dog Approved: Getting Feedback from Canine Wear Testers There’s a critical waypoint in the journey a product takes. It comes after the early musings and sketches in our product designers’ books, and before it’s donned by canine explorers around the world.  It’s Research and Development (R&D), and it’s where we dig deep into the psyche of dogs as they interact with the world around them, allowing us to truly design from a dog’s perspective. What’s it like for a dog to run full tilt down rock-strewn singletrack? How do their paws bend, legs move, and shoulders flex? Or, what’s so engag ..read more

Our dogs are eager to join us and explore the veritable playground that is the outdoors, even when temperatures drop and the weather turns. That’s why Ruffwear has spent years crafting a variety of jackets built to perform no matter what winter throws your way. Having the right gear is essential to keeping our best trail buddies comfortable and to extending the adventure. But which style is right for your dog? Much like the process you go through to pick your own coat, choosing a jacket for your dog comes down to a few key considerations. We’ll cover a couple questions to help you get started ..read more