Who or What is DogGear?
DogGear is a global team of dog experts, dog lovers, veterinarians, veterans, dog therapists, dog owners, and most importantly, students of dog trends around health, safety, training, and products.
The Best Gear for your Fur Baby
To begin finding the best DogGear, select to begin by breed or by size
How does DogGear conduct research and select products?
DogGear leverages our global network to ensure our perspectives and insights are both up to date and useful to every one of our users.
We also combine three aspects in a carefully weighted system to achieve our research goals and product selections. First, we assign a team member who is already an expert in the breed, product category, etc. Once that project leader is assigned, they begin a deep research process into the trends, changes, and updates across the entire breed and product ecosystem. Once this phase is complete, they also analyze and take into account consumer reviews left on various websites across the internet. Last – but not least – they share this analysis with the DogGear experts and wider team to ensure the facts are clearly stated and no stone is left unturned. We believe this system of checks and balances creates the best recommendations possible to help you purchase the right gear every time.
Our story
DogGear was started by entrepreneurs with over four decades of leadership, management, and business experiences around the world. All three founders are military veterans and life-long dog lovers, with many years of first-hand missions with military working dogs in addition to personal dog ownership. Each founder knows first-hand the struggles of finding the right gear for their dogs, and collectively decided it was time to do something about it. The final straw was the recent purchase of a new puppy by a DogGear founder. Despite a great network of dog experts, he soon realized there was ample misinformation spreading, and it was a challenge to get the right gear for his breed as a puppy at a fair price. Speaking with other dog lovers, they all shared the same opinion, and decided to take action. DogGear’s founding team has educational backgrounds from West Point, Ranger School, the Army’s Special Forces Qualification Course, and Harvard Business School. Corporate experience of the founding team includes Fortune 500 companies as well as several successful start-up companies. At DogGear we wake up each day thinking about how to help other dog lovers and dog owners better enjoy their lives together.
Our Experts
Dr. Tracy Douglas
General Practice (GP) veterinarian working for Glenwood Veterinary Clinic in Glenwood Springs, Colorado
She started her veterinary career in Emergency Medicine at Uintah Pet Emergency in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She has a special interest in neurology, internal medicine and surgery. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Melbourne in Australia. Her undergraduate bachelor of science is from the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.
Dr. Kim Peterson
Veterinarian at Critter Care and founder of Sweet Paws
Raised on a farm in rural Minnesota, Kim has always been surrounded by pets of all shapes and sizes. She’s had a love for animals since she was a young girl. She received her veterinary degree from University of Minnesota, then proceeded to Illinois to complete an internship in medicine and surgery. After working in emergency veterinary medicine, Kim founded Critter Care, a full service veterinary clinic that stoves to treat animals with compassion and high quality care, while having understanding for their owners. Kim’s primary interests and expertise are surgery and integrative medicine. Kim also founded Sweet Paws, a boarding, daycare, and grooming facility that concentrates on exercise and play to decrease the stress of boarding and provide a fun and safe facility for both dogs, cats and their owners.
Nicole Ellis
Certified Pro Celebrity Pet Trainer
Nicole puts a heavy focus on positive reinforcement methods in all of her pet and dog training. She is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, and has had her hands in a multitude of commercial productions involving pets, and dogs in particular, with many involving celebrities from around the globe. Nicole’s credentialing includes certifications from the American Kennel Club and the Canine Good Citizen evaluator. Nicole is a regular attendee of SuperZoo, the largest pet product showcase, in her quest to constantly evaluate the newest pet products. Nicole truly loves pets, and her dog Maggie is her constant companion. Learn more about her: http://blog.maggieandnicole.com/
Jarett Gilpin
Notre Dame Security Police Vapor Wake Detection Dog Handler
Jarett and his vapor wake dog, Toxi, help keep the students and public safe on the University of Notre Dame’s campus. Jarett knows what equipment, food and toys to keep Toxi safe, productive and still able to have fun.
Destin Benoit
Former Special Forces Canine Handler, Current SOC Canine Handler
He has experience working with dogs in the most high stress environments on earth. He currently is a canine handler as a security contractor, helping to keep US diplomats safe in some of the most dangerous regions of the world.
Dr. Cheryl Hart
Chiropractor and dog boarder
Cheryl received her Bachelors degree from University of Maryland and her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA. After providing excellent care to her patients on a mobile basis for 17 years, an unexpected injury forced her into early retirement and left her to discover a new career path after relocating to NC in 2009. Following an unexpected twist of events, Cheryl and her sister Amy began boarding dogs in their home part-time through Rover. Their business has now grown into a full time business with more than 90 repeat clients and over 150 5-star reviews. Cheryl provides daycare services for busy employees and overnight boarding for individuals and families as they vacation. In addition, Cheryl started an Etsy business several years ago and has been gradually adding dog-related product including custom dog ID tags, collars, leashes, jewelry, and more. She and her sister live in Charlotte with their 2 small dogs, Sasha and Sadie.
Julia Yoo
Doodle lover and economic consultant
Julia Yoo holds graduate and undergraduate degrees from MIT. She has consulted for Fortune 500 companies around the world, and worked in the White House Council Of Economic Advisors. A lifelong dog owner, Julia has raised multiple breeds in climates around the US. Her writing has appeared in The Financial Times and numerous other publications.
Denise
Physical therapist and dog lover
Denise has a lifetime of dog/human interactions under her belt, and specializes in using her background as a physical therapist to help owners reduce injuries to themselves and their dogs. Denise has a Master’s in physical therapy from the University of Pennsylvania and has the further expertise of raising many dozen dogs and other pets, along with three boys. We leave it to you which of these tasks was the hardest.
Andrew Boston
National champion rower and dog enthusiast
Andrew is a national champion rower, a four-year member of the Harvard crew team, and he represented the US at World Championships. His athletic career has also involved regular training with the US Olympic team members and other Olympic athletes while rowing at Oxford. Andrew’s training helps inform his interactions with animals, particularly dogs. He understands when dogs can be a part of elite athletic training, and when they can and should not, particularly with regards to water-related sports. Andrew also has deep expertise in the dog products supply chain at a global level. Andrew holds undergraduate and Master’s degrees from Harvard, as well as a Master’s degree from Oxford.
Jennifer Tutko, DVM
Jennifer received her Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Washington State University. Following her formal studies, she completed a rotating small internship at a large private practice in West Los Angeles. After her internship, Jennifer practiced in a rural mixed animal practice and gained an appreciation for working dogs and their needs. She currently practices small animal medicine in San Francisco’s Bay Area. Her interests include preventative medicine, surgery, and dentistry.
Where is DogGear Located?
Our team is spread across the entire United States, and in some cases other parts of the world to get the right information and details about every breed. We will go wherever we need to in order to gain knowledge and insights into dogs and the best gear for their lives.
