The Bowl That Started it All: The History of The Quencher™
As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we're taking a look back at Ruffwear’s history of innovation and performance, all driven by a passion for inspiring dog and human adventures outdoors. This series explores the evolution of Ruffwear's iconic products, highlighting the challenges overcome and the solutions that continue to empower dogs to explore alongside their humans. Today, we’re telling the story of the Quencher™ Bowl.
In summer of 1992, while mountain biking in the Los Padres National Forest with his friend Liz and her dog Moqui, Ruffwear founder Patrick Kruse was met with a challenge that sparked a series of innovations in gear for dogs on the go.
The Spark
While trying to give her dog Moqui a drink, Liz emptied half of her water bottle into a plastic bag and held it while the Rhodesian Ridgeback took a few slurps. Moqui then walked away panting, and Liz was left holding the bag — she couldn’t set it down without losing the water and she didn’t want to dump what was left back into her water bottle.
“You need to do something about this,” Liz said, challenging Patrick to develop a solution.
Patrick Kruse was the right person to ask. As a kid he constructed packs for his dog out of army surplus gas mask bags, using them on backpack trips in Northern California’s Trinity Alps. As a young adult, he sailed for several years as a crew member on charter boats in the Caribbean and Central America where being resourceful was a necessity. Patrick’s interest in kayaking led him to start Salamander Paddle Gear, acquainting him with numerous technical fabrics. With this unique mix of knowledge and experience, Patrick developed the original collapsible food and water bowl for dogs — and the solution to Liz and Moqui’s hydration problem.
That bowl is now called The Quencher™.
The Quencher™’s Big Debut
In 1994, after 16 months of research and development and product testing, The Quencher™ accompanied Patrick and Salamander Paddle Gear to Outdoor Retailer. Set out on a table at the front of the booth, the collapsible waterproof fabric bowl drew crowds. In the crowd was a buyer at L.L. Bean, who promptly placed an order for 8,000 units. Ruffwear had officially launched.
Since then, Ruffwear has pioneered a category, building performance dog gear to enhance and inspire adventure for outdoor explorers and their human companions.
The Modern Quencher™ Bowl
Over the years, the Quencher™ has evolved – changes in color and modifications to its size and shape – yet the form and function of the original bowl has remained the same.
This packable, lightweight food and water bowl is perfect for on-the-go adventures. Constructed with a durable, water-resistant shell, it's built to withstand the elements. The lightweight, waterproof lining ensures easy cleaning and prevents leaks. These features, combined with its sleek design and expanded color options, make the Quencher™ a must-have for any dog-human adventure duo.
Look out for our special 30th Anniversary Edition Quencher™ Bowl coming soon!
