"It all began in the summer of 1997 when a miniature Dachshund named Buddy came into our life.
At just over a year old, we never could have imagined how he would quickly become the inspiration and star of the Buddy Belt brand."
– Roxanne Pettipas, Founder, CEO & Buddy’s Mom
– Johnny Haslam, Co-Founder, Intl Liaison, Buddy’s Dad
"It all began in the summer of 1997 when a miniature Dachshund named Buddy came into my life.
At just over a year old, I never could have imagined how he would quickly become the inspiration and star of the Buddy Belt brand."
– Roxanne Pettipas, Founder & CEO
Early on in their days together, Roxanne noticed that every time she took Buddy for a walk, he would gag and cough. She quickly realized that he needed something other than a neck collar, but the harnesses available were both difficult to use and didn’t always protect his neck. She knew that there had to be a better solution for Buddy and other dogs like him. Employing her years in art school, as both a student and a teacher, she got to work designing a harness that would be easy to use and keep Buddy safe and comfortable.
The first prototype was made using a piece of tire rubber. To create a more refined form, she took the prototype to two different leather workers where she worked alongside them, learning how to create patterns and templates specifically for leather. After investing in the tools, equipment, and materials needed to create her own harnesses, the final result was the very first Buddy Belt; a harness that was easy to use, durable, and, most importantly, that reduced the stress and strain on Buddy’s neck.
The design featured one buckle like traditional collars, but with one major difference – The Buddy Belt hugs your dog’s chest and fastens between the shoulder blades rather than around the neck. The streamlined design had no excess material, allowing for a low-cut neckline that prevented the harness from riding up near Buddy’s throat. Two secure arm loops and a single strap allowed for a simple step-in design that was easy to use and didn’t need to go over Buddy’s head.
What started as a journey to better the life of one little dog, turned into the beginnings of a global brand. Buddy Belts was officially presented to the public at the PET Expo in Toronto, Canada in October 2001. Since then, our products have amassed steadfast loyal fans around the world and our product line and company only continues to grow.
Buddy
Buddy's Legacy
“It really is quite remarkable how an 11-pound Dachshund can leave a legacy that will not only survive most of us reading this, but go far beyond.
Because of Buddy, hundreds of thousands of dogs will no longer cough or choke when being walked. Because of Buddy, hundreds of thousands of dogs will no longer suffer chronic vision problems as they age. Because of Buddy, hundreds of thousands of dog walkers, dog owners, and pet humans will no longer strangle their pooches when wishing only to gently restrain them.
Because of Buddy, a product and global brand was created in his name to foster care and humane treatment of dogs and pets alike. Because of Buddy, we continue to expand the Buddy Belts brand to honor the magnificent creature he was, the love and devotion we had for him and will hold dearly to our hearts for all of our days. This is his legacy.
Buddy passed on August 25, 2014. We continue to travel the globe honoring Buddy’s legacy and promoting the BB brand he inspired.”
-ROXANNE PETTIPAS, FOUNDER & CEO
Buddy's Legacy
“It really is quite remarkable how an 11-pound Dachshund can leave a legacy that will not only survive most of us reading this, but go far beyond.
Because of Buddy, hundreds of thousands of dogs will no longer cough or choke when being walked. Because of Buddy, hundreds of thousands of dogs will no longer suffer chronic vision problems as they age. Because of Buddy, hundreds of thousands of dog walkers, dog owners, and pet humans will no longer strangle their pooches when wishing only to gently restrain them.
Because of Buddy, a product and global brand was created in his name to foster care and humane treatment of dogs and pets alike. Because of Buddy, we continue to expand the Buddy Belts brand to honor the magnificent creature he was, the love and devotion we had for him and will hold dearly to our hearts for all of our days. This is his legacy.
Buddy passed on August 25, 2014. We continue to travel the globe honoring Buddy’s legacy and promoting the BB brand he inspired.”
-ROXANNE PETTIPAS, FOUNDER & CEO
Professional Memberships
Buddy Belts is proud to be a member of the following pet industry associations
PIJAC Canada
An active player in an international network of pet industry associations, PIJAC Canada has been a strong and consistent voice for the Canadian Pet Industry since 1988.The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada is the voice of the Canadian pet industry.
American Pet Products Association
Founded in 1958, APPA is the leading not-for-profit trade association made up of over 1000 pet product manufacturers, their representatives, importers and livestock suppliers. Our membership consists of a diverse group representing both large corporations and growing business enterprises worldwide.
