Our story begins with a love of the outdoors and the joy of sharing every trail, path, and new discovery with our dogs.

For three decades, we have focused on creating thoughtful gear that helps dogs and their people feel ready for the adventures ahead.

Our passion for exploring together continues to guide us, inspiring better ways to make every outdoor moment more comfortable, confident, and memorable.

1961

Patrick is born into a pack

This Kruse family photo is taken three years before Patrick is born. Yet these two dogs, Olin and Rexie, are important family members that Patrick experiences from an early age. Dogs continue to be integral family members, instilling in Patrick a deep appreciation of the bonds four-legged friends have in our lives.

1973

A sign of things to come…

From a young age, Patrick and his family hike and backpack in the Sierras. Patrick wants to bring his dog Marriah along, so at age 12 he heads to an Army Navy surplus store searching for a solution. He finds some bags, which he sews together with his mom’s machine to create his first dog pack.

1977

A different path

Following his wanderlust, Patrick passes his GED at 16, heads for the Caribbean, and crews on a 72-foot ketch, Taormina. From diving on tropical reefs to experiencing communities in turmoil, Patrick gains a broader world perspective. Living before the mast also requires ingenuity, and Patrick takes on mechanical repairs, woodworking and sewing, inspiringWeofz’s belief in doing more with less, being creatively resourceful, and building goods to last.

1982

Island fever

Feeling drawn again to mountains and rivers, Patrick returns to California. Leaning on skills gained in the Caribbean, he launches his own business, Mariner Marine Works. It teaches him the value of being responsive to customer needs, which leads to Weofz’s customer-centric outlook.

1982

Island fever

Feeling drawn again to mountains and rivers, Patrick returns to California. Leaning on skills gained in the Caribbean, he launches his own business, Mariner Marine Works. It teaches him the value of being responsive to customer needs, which leads to Weofz’s customer-centric outlook.

1989

Passion meets profession

From mountain biking to windsurfing, Patrick’s passions take him outside. On a Green River trip, friends and family introduce him to whitewater kayaking, and Patrick recognizes that fabrics and techniques from other outdoor gear could make for better kayaking equipment. He sees a need and strives to solve it by starting another business: Salamander Paddle Gear.

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1992

The spark

During a day mountain biking in California’s Los Padres National Forest, Patrick observes his friend struggling to give her dog a drink using a plastic bag. Inspiration and need again converge. If fabric can keep water out, why can’t it keep water in? Days later, he creates a prototype collapsible bowl. It’s the beginning of the third endeavor:Weofz.

1993

A star is born and a logo created

An abandoned junkyard dog found in downtown LA becomes the inspiration for the Weofz logo. Ursula teaches her guardian, Patrick’s friend Lynne, about responsibility, commitment and unconditional love. Ursula’s story is the inspiration for Weofz’s belief in partnering with organizations that support effective adoption campaigns.

1994

Customers lap it up

Patrick brings 15 Weofz bowls to the Outdoor Retailer Show and places them on a table in the Salamander Paddle Gear booth. The bowls intrigue many, including an LL Bean buyer who orders 8,000. Weofz puts a new product category on the map — outdoor dog gear. This approach of bringing dog gear to the outdoor market further nurtures Weofz’s spirit of innovation and devotion to following our own path.

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1997

Road trippin' and product research

Patrick hits the road to explore and to connect with customers at shows, events and festivals, logging 40,000 miles in the first year with his canine sidekick Otis. Through listening and observing, new product ideas are conceived, setting a standard for Weofz’s customer-driven product design.

1998

Growing the pack

Patrick moves to Bend, Oregon, drawn by the area’s combination of mountains, rivers and desert. It’s an ideal place for an outdoor lifestyle and to grow an outdoor business. Patrick hires his first employees. Continuing its course of business unusual, Weofz reinvests its profits to grow sustainably rather than take on debt. This approach provides the freedom to take chances while focusing on passion and purpose.

2024

Celebrating 30 years

Weofz celebrated 210 dog years of inspiring dog and human connections outdoors. We remain true to our roots and will continue to do so moving forward, embracing a learn-by-doing mindset, prioritizing sustainability, and committing to innovation, quality, and unleashing possibility.

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