A new travel bed for dogs is proving to be both fashionable and functional for wet dogs on the go.
The product was ‘pawfected’ by Irish company DogDry in collaboration with ATU Donegal Fashion lecturers Sharon Maxwell and Eilish Kennedy.
The innovative memory foam orthopaedic travel bed is designed using the same patented design as the DogDry drying robe, the first-of-its-kind in Ireland and the UK.
The latest launch for the brand, founded by Waterford businesswoman Frances O’Reilly, is a super-absorbent travel bed.
The bed is designed to cope with wet dogs and keep the surrounding area clean and dry making travel days and winter walks a lot more appealing for everyone.
Sharon and Eilish helped develop a unique technology and design for ultimate canine comfort. The fully washable outer cover is made with three layers of performance fabrics, a soft, plush top fabric allows moisture to pass through, a super-absorbent core locks it away and finally, a waterproof lining keeps the memory foam mattress inside fresh and dry.
As designers, Sharon and Eilish put their problem-solving skills into action to ensure the bed was easy to fold and wash, as well as meeting all the requirements of dog lovers and fashion-forward pups.
The product was thought up by Frances as she had a need for it with her own dog, Frances says, “I needed a comfortable bed that our retriever Luna was happy to lie on in lots of different situations. One that came from home so had the familiar smells of home to help her settle in a new environment. And that was easy to carry from one place to the next while also carrying other luggage and holding her lead. Hence the DogDry waterproof travel bed was born.”
DogDry Memory Foam Travel Bed
Sharon also worked on the patented design of DogDry’s drying robe which was launched last year. That same iconic pattern is replicated on the new bed.
She said: “ATU Donegal is being recognised as a centre of excellence for fashion design, prototyping and textile research. We are delighted to be working on a number of exciting ongoing projects and collaborations from LEO business start-ups.”
Eilish added: “We love to be involved in problem-solving for Irish-designed products and key to that success is developing technically innovative solutions in terms of fabric and structure.”
Frances believes there is a good market for this new travel bed, based on the success of her first year in business.
She said: “We have sold to 15 countries from our base in Waterford via DogDry.com from all across Ireland to the UK, USA, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, Italy, Denmark, Austria and Luxembourg. We know from our research that 40% of dog owners in Ireland buy a substantial gift for their own dog at Christmas and at a time when families travel to be together, a travel bed for your dog is particularly useful.
“We’ve also discovered that friends and family of dog lovers are delighted to find an attractive gift that’s more personal than the usual fare of scented candles or gift hampers. Giving a loved one a gift their dog will use shows you understand how much their dog means to them.”
DogDry Founder Frances O’Reilly and her retreiver Luna
The entrepreneur who previously held a high-flying career in innovation working with global brands such as Diageo, Kellogg and more is not stopping at that, she has also designed and launched a pair of DogDry Drying Mitts on DogDry.com. These are recommended for floppy-eared hounds, and those with tiny tea-cup dogs in order to get them dry after a walk or a bath. They are also handy to keep anywhere there is a risk of wet paws spreading a mess indoors.
Frances says that the purpose of all of her products is founded on her belief that “every dog, everywhere, has the right to play outdoors. DogDry makes it easy because DogDry takes care of the mess.
DogDry drying robes for dogs come in six sizes from extra-extra small to extra large and all sizes in-between and are available online from €79, the Memory Foam DogDry Travel Bed comes in one foldable size of 90 x 60cm it is also available online at €95; pairs of DogDry Mitts are available at €30 and special festive bundles will see a DogDry Gift Set for €89 and bundles of a drying robe and travel bed purchased together for €170 via www.DogDry.com
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