Did You Know That This Popular Pet Toy Was Made in Colorado?

Chances are if you have a dog, you might have seen a snowman-shaped dog toy while searching for the perfect toy for your best friend at the pet store. That toy is known as the KONG Classic and dogs love everything about the toy. From the way it tastes, how it feels in their mouth, and how it will randomly bounce in any given direction.

Over the years, I have had a few dogs bless my life with their companionship. Every single dog that I have owned as an adult loved its KONG toys. Our current German Shepherd named Cynder will celebrate her second birthday this month and more often than not, you can find her prancing around the living room with her favorite KONG toy.

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My wife and I constantly play fetch with our dog and her KONG toy. If I had to put a number on the number of times I toss her KONG each night, I would have to say 100. That is easily a conservative amount too.

As pet parents, the quality of KONG toys is what stands out to us. Plush toys with a power chewing German Shepherd? Yeah right. I can think of other ways I can spend $10 and have it not end up as a stuffing-filled mess in my living room in less than five minutes.

You might be surprised to know that KONG is a Colorado company. The KONG Company was founded by Joe Markham in 1970 when his beloved dog, Fritz, kept chewing on things that dogs shouldn't put their mouths on. Fritz chewed on so many things that were harmful to him that his teeth started to wear down.

One day Markham threw out a suspension part from a Volkswagon Bus and Fritz loved the way it bounced. That part was a snowman-shaped piece of rubber. No matter how many times Markham took away the rubber suspension part, Fritz kept bringing it back. Markham had an idea and the KONG dog toy was born.

Fast forward to the 1990's Markham began construction on what is now known as the "World Headquarters" of the KONG Company in Golden, Colorado. During this decade KONG expanded out from the rubber line to dental toys and grooming brushes.

John Nelson and Kathy Decker Frueh joined the KONG Company in the early 2000s and the distribution of KONG toys started to expand around the globe.

The Kong Company Today

KONG toys are currently sold in more than 80 countries across the world for both dogs and cats. The KONG Company has expanded the toy line far beyond the initial rubber toy from the 1970s. Today, KONG toys have seven unique collections for dogs throughout all life stages for your best friend made with various materials including:

• Plush
• Tennis
• Wild Antler
• PolyTuff
• Rubber

The KONG Company also has the feline in mind with numerous lines of cat toys too. Kong toys for cats include Kitty KONG, Wubba, Kickeroo, and more.

Want to know more about the KONG Company and find the right toy for your pet? Learn more at the KONG Company.