Kurgo

Last updated
Kurgo
Company type Brand
Industry Retail, Ecommerce
Founded
Founder
  • Kitter Spater
  • Gordie Spater
Headquarters Knoxville, Tennessee
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsOutdoor Dog Gear
Owner Radio Systems Corporation
Websitewww.kurgo.com

Kurgo is outdoor dog gear brand owned by Radio Systems Corporation.

Contents

Kurgo gear is carried by PetSmart, Petco, and numerous other physical and online retailers and as such, is considered to be a leading manufacturer of pet travel and safety products in the United States and Canada. Kurgo products are also available in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. [1]

In addition to its Knoxville, Tennessee headquarters, the brand maintains a satellite office in Amesbury, Massachusetts.

History

Kurgo founders and brothers, Kitter and Gordie Spater, grew up exploring the Vermont woods along with their family dogs. [2] Their entrepreneurial spirit and love of dogs motivated them to create Kurgo—although the brand’s inspiration is credited to Kitter’s dog, Zelda.

Zelda had a dangerous habit of jumping into the front seat during car rides. After one too many close calls, Kitter built the first prototype of what would later become the Backseat Barrier in his garage. [2]

Since then, Kurgo has expanded its product line into carrier backpacks, active harnesses, cold weather jackets, seat covers, and other outdoor accessories.

In 2008, Kurgo partnered with Toyota to advocate for safe pet travel. [3]

in 2011, Kurgo partnered with AAA to coordinate a pet travel safety survey. [4]

Kurgo was acquired by Radio Systems Corporation in October 2018. [5]

Awards

Product Awards

In 2020, the Tru-Fit Smart Harness Quick Release was voted the Best Dog Harness by Wirecutter. [6]

In 2021, the G-Train Backpack received The Dodo's Paw of Approval. [7]

Sources

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nestlé Purina PetCare</span> American pet food manufacturer, subsidiary of the Swiss corporation Nestlé

Nestlé Purina PetCare, or simply Purina, is an American subsidiary of the Swiss corporation Nestlé, based in St. Louis, Missouri. It produces and markets pet food, treats, and cat and dog litter. Some of its pet food brands include Purina Pro Plan, Purina Dog Chow, Friskies, Beneful and Purina One. The company was formed in 2001 by combining Nestlé's Friskies PetCare Company with Ralston Purina, which acquired it for $10.3 billion. As of 2012, it is the second-largest pet food company globally and the largest in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asics</span> Japanese athletic equipment company

Asics is a Japanese multinational corporation that produces sportswear. The name is an acronym for the Latin phrase anima sana in corpore sano. Asics is best known for its sneakers, but also produces other footwear such as sandals, as well as clothing and accessories. It is headquartered in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pet harness</span>

A pet harness is equipment consisting of straps of webbing that loop nearly around—that fasten together using side release buckles—the torso of an animal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PetSmart</span> American pet supply store chain

PetSmart Inc. is a privately held American chain of pet superstores, which sell pet products, services, and small pets. It is the leading North American pet company, and its direct competitor is Petco. Its indirect competitors are Amazon, Walmart, and Target. As of 2020, PetSmart has more than 1,650 stores in the United States and Canada. Its stores sell pet food, pet supplies, pet accessories, and small pets. Stores also provide services including grooming, dog daycare, dog and cat boarding, veterinary care via in-store third-party clinics, and dog training. They also offer dog and cat adoption via in-store adoption centers facilitated by the non-profit PetSmart Charities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelty (company)</span> Outdoor sporting good manufacturer

Kelty is a manufacturer of backpacks, tents, and sleeping bags owned by Exxel Outdoors, LLC. The business is based in Boulder, Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Petco</span> American pet supply store chain

Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. is an American pet retailer with corporate offices in San Diego and San Antonio. Petco sells pet food, products, and services, as well as certain types of live small animals.

Eukanuba is a brand of dog food and cat food owned and manufactured by Mars, Incorporated worldwide and by Spectrum Brands in European markets; previously handled by Procter & Gamble from 1999 through 2014. The company produces 17 different formulas for dogs and 13 for cats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cape (dog)</span> Identifying article worn by working dogs

A cape, jacket, or vest is an article worn by a working dog to identify or assist them in their job.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thule Group</span> Swedish company

Thule Group AB is a Swedish company that owns brands related to outdoor and transportation products. These include cargo carriers for automobiles and other outdoor and storage products, with 4,700 points of sale in 136 countries worldwide.

Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. is an American diversified company headquartered in Middleton, Wisconsin. It was established in 2005 as the successor to Rayovac Corporation. It is one of the Fortune 500 companies, and among the largest of its kind.

GoLite is an outdoor hiking and backpacking gear company that relaunched as an apparel manufacturer under new ownership in 2018. Humanitarian and environmental initiatives are a key part of the new ownership. As of 2018, GoLite has donated 14,000 uniforms to help health care workers in Uganda and Guatemala using company fabric resources. The new sustainable clothing collection is intended to combine outdoor performance and athletic functionality. GoLite is headquartered in Seattle, WA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fetch Pet Insurance</span> American pet insurance company

Fetch is a pet insurance provider, helping pet owners cover veterinary bills in the United States and Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pet carrier</span>

Pet carriers are small portable boxes, crates, or cages used to transport small animals such as cats, lap dogs, miniature pigs, ferrets, chickens, guinea pigs, and so on, from one location to another.

Outdoor Research is a Seattle-based manufacturer of technical apparel and gear for outdoor sports, including alpinism, rock and ice climbing, backpacking, paddling, and backcountry skiing and snowboarding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walkin' Wheels</span> Dog wheelchair brand

Walkin' Wheels is an American brand of dog wheelchairs developed in 2001 by Mark C. Robinson in Amherst, New Hampshire in memory of his pet, Mercedes. The product is intended as a mobility aid for pets with mobility issues such as degenerative myelopathy, arthritis, paralysis, and neurological disorders.

Altra Running, commonly known as Altra, is an American manufacturing company engaged in the design, development, marketing, and sales of athletic shoes for road running, trail running, and general footwear. Since 2018 Altra is owned by VF Corporation, an American global apparel and footwear company with other brands like Icebreaker, The North Face, Vans, JanSport, Eastpak and Timberland.

<i>The Dodo</i> (website) American media group and website

The Dodo is an American media brand and digital publisher focused on telling animals' stories. The Dodo is headquartered in New York City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Backpacking with animals</span>

Backpacking with animals is the use of pack animals, such as a horse, llama, goat, dog, or donkey to help carry the weight of a backpackers gear during an excursion. These animals need special considerations when accompanying backpackers on a trip. Some areas restrict the use of horses and other pack animals. For example, Great Basin National Park does not allow domestic animals at all in backcountry areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Invisible Fence Inc.</span> Fencing company

Invisible Fence Inc. is a company that designs pet fences for cats and dogs. Manufactured and distributed by Radio System Corporation, the company sells wireless and fenceless systems that were first introduced in 1973. Its best-known product consists of an underground wire and a collar with an integrated transmitter that provides a signal to the pet when it approaches the perimeter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dog harness</span> Animal harness for a dog

A dog harness is a piece of equipment consisting in part of straps that surround the dog’s torso. It is used to guide, hold, and lift the dog or to utilise its pulling power. It reduces tension on the neck when they pull, and provides free breathing during daily walks. In sports such as mushing and skijoring, where the dog's pulling power is utilized, the harness provides effective use of force while maintaining freedom of movement. These aforementioned kinds of harnesses differ from pet harnesses in that they are specifically designed in order to allow or support a dog in the completion of a working task.

References

  1. Staff, Pet Business. "Kurgo Expands to Australia and New Zealand". Pet Business. Retrieved 2021-09-13.{{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  2. 1 2 "About Us". www.kurgo.com. Retrieved 2021-09-13.
  3. "Kurgo & Toyota Keep Pets Safe - Pet Business Magazine - March 2009". www.petbusiness.com. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  4. AAA, Kurgo (2011). "Doggie Distractions Fact Sheet" (PDF). Kurgo.com.
  5. "Radio Systems Corporation® Acquires Motivation Designs LLC, Makers of Kurgo®". PRWeb. Retrieved 2021-09-13.
  6. "The Best Dog Harness". The New York Times. 2021-06-11. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2021-09-13.
  7. "We Found A Dog Backpack That Literally Does It All". The Dodo. Retrieved 2021-09-22.