What’s new in the Dog Park?
Most show Dogs only select a treat or two from the products on display at a tradeshow. As a professional Shopping Hound I prefer to sniff out the reoccurring themes & trends from the pack.
After spending the past week sifting through thousands of products at the Global Pet Expo 2011 in Orlando, here’s my forecast for the:
Top Pet Design Trends to Watch
- Pet Staycations
- Bamboozled
- Cool Ride
- Royal Hounds
- Haberdashery Chic
- Candy-Coated-Colors
- Clean Sweep
Pet Staycations
Casual living with Canines…It’s the dawn of the Pet Staycation. There won’t be any reason to go on vacation when you can create a pet resort on your own turf in the backyard .
Outdoor living has reached new heights with the availability of pet furnishings that could outshine your patio furniture on the deck. Performance fabrics have taken pet beds outdoors and made cleaning them a breeze.
Pet Staycation Trend: Outdoor Dog Chaise. Image: Refind Kind
Bamboozled
Continuing the eco-chic trend, bamboo is the new contemporary material for Dog bowls, Pet feeders, grooming tools and Dog collars.
Bamboo also takes a modern twist in the form of classic trellis patterns in bold colors and scale . Following the current trend in home décor, bamboo patterns can be seen on high styled Dog bedding.
Bamboozled: No-Spill Bamboo Dog Bowl Image: Refind Kind
Cool Ride
Canines will be cruisin’ in style with the array of functional new products designed to make traveling with your Pet a joy ride. From stylish seat covers to Dog beds designed for travel, Canines will be riding in the fast lane for Fall 2011.
With a nod to the transportation trend, automobile, scooter and retro teardrop camper motifs inspired everything from Dog collars to Dog houses. Retro, mini-seatbelt buckles pop up as design elements on Dog collars. The seatbelt buckles are not just for show, they’re functional Dog collar closures reinforcing the Cool Ride trend for Pet products.
Cool Ride Pet Trend: Bench Seat Cover by Cesar Millan.
Image: Cesar Millan’s Dog Whisperer Travel Collection
Royal Hounds
The British are coming! The British are coming! Royal Hounds abound in the form of crown motifs, regal design elements and the Union Jack. Even William and Kate’s monogram made a royal appearance on Dog bedding.
Royal Hounds Pet Trend: The William Bed. Image: Unleashed Life
Haberdashery Chic
From authentic Harris Tweeds to buffalo checks, touches of menswear inspired patterns could be seen everywhere. Designers in the pet industry are barking mad for plaid designs at every price point. The plaids, checks and houndstooth patterns covered dog bowls, bedding, pet fashions and collars.
Haberdashery Chic Pet Trend: Harris Tweed Plaid Dog Collar
Candy-Coated-Colors
There is no way to candy-coat it, bright gum-drop-pops of color were everywhere from package designs to the Pet products themselves.
Following the color cues seen on the fashion catwalks, delicious and vibrant cherry reds and citrus hues of lemon, lime and orange will rule the animal kingdom. The color trend was seen in abundance on bowls, pet feeders, fashion bedding, collars and leads. S W E E T !
Candy-Coated-Color Pet Trend. Image: Harry Barker
Clean Sweep
Accidents happen and new products will make cleaning up after Pets easy-peasy. Advances in technology have given Dog owners plenty of ammunition to fight in the war on Pet odors, stains, allergens, shedding fur and dander.
There are Pet friendly solutions for cleaning & deodorizing every surface whether carpets, upholstery, wood floors, outdoor decks or cement. Alleluia!
Clean Sweep Pet Trend: Nifty Pet Hair Hand Vacuuum
Image: Bissell Pawsitively Clean ®
Stay tuned….
I’ll share more new products with you over the next several weeks as we dig deeper into each category of the Top Pet Design Trends to Watch.
Later, I’ve Got to let the Dog out,
Taffy, our charming 
