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Published on March 24, 2008

Doggethome, a dog-house design and building company established in 2005, sold 40 dog houses in 2006 and 70 last year. Around 80 per cent of its sales came from houses for golden retrievers.

Starting the business through www.doggethome.com three years ago, the company gained public attention when it joined last year's Home & Garden Fair.

"We saw orders jump from 40 in 2006 to 70 in 2007," marketing manager Rattiya Yooprateht said last week.

The company plans to develop houses for large dogs, as they can be modified as toy houses for children as well.

Prices for a Doggethome run from Bt4,000 for toy dogs, Bt9,500-Bt12,000 for medium sizes and Bt20,000 and up for large sizes. About 80 per cent of customers prefer the medium size.

Just when dog lovers were building close bonds with their pets, the DogDidDone coffin business was born.

After three years in business, it now enjoys rising orders from those who consider their pooch as a family member and are willing to pay for its funeral.

DogDidDone owner Chomchamon Kanjanapat spent two years designing the coffins, which are patented. She started promoting her products through pantip.com and brochures, then created her own website (www.dogdiddone.com) last year to sell the coffins. In the first year, she sold only five, but when the company became better known, orders rose to 70 in 2006 and 120 last year.

Early this year DogDidDone launched another box to store dog skeletons, believing that dog owners want to keep part of the bones of their beloved deceased pets.

However, the product is not as popular as coffins. Coffin prices range from Bt1,200 to Bt4,000 depending on size. Buyers get a free pillow and wreath.

Not all sellers experience success rapidly.

Terawat Techapongvorachai, managing director of Pornrirk, a wholesaler and retailer of dog accessories, said his company's sales of dog products were quite stagnant.

These include chain leashes and collars, but generate only Bt5

million-Bt6 million a year, or 10 per cent of the company's total revenue.

The company also sells medical remedies, hand winches and nitrous oxide gas.

Terawat admitted that he was not familiar with dog items, but he carries them at his son's insistence.

But he also sees growth potential in dog houses. His company is importing some from China.

"The air-conditioned houses are of large size, with a mosquito net, and will be priced at Bt20,000," he said.

And with the mansions, Terawat expects the canine-related side of his business to expand 20 per cent.

Chankit Trakoolwilai

The Nation