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Ruff and Tumble
Ruff and Tumble was founded in North Norfolk and you can find their fantastic products at many outlets throughout the area. We caught up with the owner Alison to find out more about their business in North Norfolk.
Can you tell us a bit about Ruff and Tumble?
Ruff and Tumble is run by a dog loving family and it was Mum Alison who designed the first Ruff and Tumble dog drying coat back in 2013 after failing to find such a product for her four water loving dogs. The much loved drying coats have many uses; drying, warming, cooling and calming. Made from a unique double layer of absorbent soft cotton towelling which is comfortable and cosy for the dog to wear, they are simple to put on and give maximum coverage. Perfect for after wet walks, a quick dip in the sea, or a bath. Other Ruff and Tumble products include the famous dog drying mitts. You will find Ruff and Tumble products online and in various North Norfolk shops; Wells beach Café, Christopher William Country and Gunhill Burnham market to name but a few. Ruff and Tumble also exhibit at many Country shows and Horse Trial events.
What gave you the inspiration for your business?
The inspiration for Ruff and Tumble came from my own four water loving dogs and their regular walks on Brancaster beach. Although I firmly believe that dogs are happiest and healthiest when running around outside in all weathers, the resulting mess and hard work involved in drying them is a problem. I decided to design my own drying coat as what I needed just didn’t exist back then. And so a business was born ..
What makes Ruff and Tumble unique?
I am passionate about the welfare of all dogs and we pride ourselves in ensuring that our drying coats are the best for quality, fit and value. Our coats have many detailed design features, making them effective at drying, comfortable to wear and stylish too. Unlike man-made fabrics, towelling breathes, and is much more comfortable and efficient at drying. We use Velcro for fastening because it’s quicker and easier to use, as well as being more comfortable for the dog. There is a lot of tailoring in our coats too: clever darts and tucks ensure the coat fits snugly like a proper dressing gown. A very popular detail is the thick collar which folds up into a hoody and dries the ears and head. The final unique difference is the very wide belly flap. The underside is the dirtiest and wettest area, so we designed the belly flap to be generous for maximum effectiveness.
What do you love most about what you do?
The thing I love most about what we do is knowing that our products make dog owners and their dogs very happy! I especially love to enable usually wet, shivering or nervous dogs to feel secure, cosy and dry and if we had £1 for every customer who has said they couldn’t live without our products, we would be very wealthy! The other thing we all love is meeting lots of canine customers on our stand at the various Country Shows nationwide.
Where would you recommend for customers to grab a coffee in North Norfolk?
There are so many great dog friendly places in North Norfolk, all serving top quality food. My favourite place for a quick bite and a coffee has to be the Thornham Deli with it’s new dog friendly extension. From there you can do the wonderful walk out to the sea and nature reserve.
What is your favourite thing to do in North Norfolk on your day off?
My favourite thing to do on a day off is to drive with the dogs and a small picnic rucksack to Burnham Overy Staithe Harbour. The walk from there out to the wonderful beach is very special and sitting in the dunes with a sandwich and a cuppa feels like paradise to me!
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