The Neoclassic doghouse was sent to Wayne Cavanaugh, President of United Kennel Club, for his expert opinion on the product. “It was important to us that we get feedback from experts who spend their lives around the needs, wants and desires of pets and their owners. The opportunity to have someone with Mr. Cavanaugh’s expertise and experience is critical to our success,” says Kathy Ellis, President of Leifer’s, the company that created and manufacturers the doghouses.
“It’s hard when it’s your product. You tend to fall in love with it and that can be very dangerous. It’s critical that you get opinions from experts who understand the market and know what you’ll be up against,” Ellis went on to say.
The Neoclassic was sent to the United Kennel Club offices for a thorough workout. It was first tested by Tess, the office dog. Then a bunch of the employees got inside too. Several other dogs and experts also gave their opinions. Here is a summary of their review:
- It's beautiful. Everyone, even the non-doggy employees thought it was eye appealing and a great concept.
- The current dimensions would be suitable for dogs under 30 pounds only, somewhere around Beagle and Cocker Spaniel size, and under.
- The interior height is, therefore disproportionately tall, not in design terms but in dog terms. It doesn't mean a Beagle size dog would be annoyed or hindered by the extra ceiling height, but if you needed to cut down the interior height for weight or balance, there is plenty of room to do so.
- The drain that runs inside shouldn't be a problem but the final material should be fairly chew proof as bored dogs may see the intrusion and think about chewing it - highly unlikely but it could be potentially litigious if the design led to get his jaw or tooth caught on it while attempting to chew. No big deal but something to keep in mind.
- Overall, it is a very unique and elegant piece for a sort of boutique upscale market and you should have a lot of fun with it.
- Very refreshing design! I love it!
Wayne R. Cavanaugh
President
United Kennel Club
About The United Kennel Club (www.ukcdogs.com)
Established in 1898, the United Kennel Club is the largest all-breed performance-dog registry in the world, registering dogs from all 50 states and 25 foreign countries. More than 60 percent of its 13,000 annually licensed events are tests of hunting ability, training and instinct. UKC prides itself on its family-oriented, friendly, educational events. The UKC has supported the "Total Dog" philosophy through its events and programs for over a century. As a departure from registries that place emphasis on a dog’s looks, UKC events are designed for dogs that look and perform equally well.
Our mission is to be the world's best registry of purebred dogs, to offer our customers the most efficient and creative services possible, to use our data to help our customers breed the best dogs in the world and to create a wide spectrum of performance and conformation events in which those dogs can prove their instincts and heritage.
About Wayne Cavanaugh
(http://www.ukcdogs.com/WebSite.nsf/WebPages/LrnAboutUKC)
The President of UKC is Wayne R. Cavanaugh, a third-generation dog fancier. His grandfather bred Kerry Blue Terriers, and his father bred English Setters and Beagles. Mr. Cavanaugh has bred show and field titled English Setters, English Pointers and Beagles. He has judged dog events in America, Ireland and Mexico.
He has appeared on behalf of dogs on every major television network in both America and the United Kingdom and has served as co-host of the Animal Planet National Dog Championship television series. He is the co-host of Crufts, the world’s largest dog show, from Birmingham, England for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Mr. Cavanaugh has served as a consultant to the Irish Kennel Club, and has been a presenter at the World Congress of Kennel Clubs in Hamilton, Bermuda and Dublin, Ireland.
Wayne has appeared as the host of television programs and dog event competitions for many networks including Fox, ESPN and the Outdoor Life Network. He has served as Executive Producer, Writer, Producer and Technical Consultant for the Breed All About television series on Animal Planet. He has appeared on The Today Show, CBS This Morning, Good Morning America, CNN, Fox News, FX’s Pet Department, Fox Pet News, Discovery’s Petsburg, and ABC, CBS and NBC News in New York to discuss dog related topics. He has written extensively for dog magazines and is a frequent guest of radio talk shows on a full spectrum of dog-related topics.
Wayne has lectured at most of America’s veterinary schools, and has served on various canine issue committees with the American Veterinary Medical Association, the National Pet Council and the California American Veterinary Medical Association. He served as a Charter Member of the Board of Directors of the Canine Health Foundation.
He has a B.A. degree in Literature from Stockton State College, a Technical Writing Certificate from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and course work in Financial Planning from Baruch College in New York City. In addition to his television and dog activities, he has worked for AT&T in the telecommunications industry, and in the investing business where he served most recently as Vice President of Marketing for Schaefer Cullen Capital Management in New York City. He moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1999 with his wife, two children, their English Pointers, a Beagle and a Coonhound.
About Leifers
Leifers — for the most loved pets in the world! Leifers offers a line of luxury pet furnishings and products designed to compliment your home as well as your pet. The company offers two designer dog and cat houses — NeoClassic and Old Ruins – that combine architectural elements, high-end design, and functionality to create a home accessory. Leifers also offers accessories and comfort items for their doghouses, as well as “Scratchy Butt” health and wellness products. A percentage of all Leifers’ profits are donated to the Houston Spay-Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) whose mission is to prevent the suffering and death of cats and dogs due to overpopulation. For more information, visit www.leifers.com or by email at kellis@leifers.com