About us and our history

Around April 2004, I met a woman that at the time I thought was reasonably normal. Over the following months we became closer and it was then that I realised she had a rather bizarre obsession with a dog sport that she referred to as 'Agility'.

I have always owned and loved dogs, but have never really experienced one of these events first hand. Strangely enough, being dragged along to a few trials, I have now developed a passion for this exciting sport. As I don't yet compete, I derive great pleasure spectating. I also find it intriguing, with an added bonus of comedy, seeing the various accessories that literally spill out of competitors cars at 7 or 8am arrivals. Tents, umbrellas, eskies, trolleys, chairs, cameras, changes of clothes and dogs galore, you name it.

These super keen, die hard agility lovers pack up just about their entire house and commence to set it all up at these trial venues. I think it is fantastic, a little crazy maybe, but it's a bug that once it grabs hold, there is no shaking it. Week in week out, it's always the same people, and what I find particularly stands out to me is, that all the competitors, judges, stewards, organisers, etc, are all such approachable, welcoming and loving people. Everyone is pleased to help each other and always greet you with a smile.

Earlier this year, I offered a competitor some help carrying their steel dog crate back to the car after a long day. What an absolute struggle it is carting all this heavy gear to and from the ringside. It seemed to me that all competitors doing something as selfless as giving their dogs all this joy should have more user friendly equipment available to them.

The steel crates are so heavy and cumbersome, they are noisy in travel, and as one girl said, "Pinch your fingers when carrying them". Why wasn't there a product designed to contain a dog, yet be manufactured from materials less heavy. Well, apparently there is, and these products are referred to as soft dog crates.

I promptly purchased one for our dog from a friendly retail pet shop, but was horrified at the price. I started to put out some feelers at the agility scene and the general consensus was similar to mine, that most of the soft collapsible crates were a great concept, but far too expensive. Well, this was enough for me. I went on a mission and decided to import the crates myself. It was my way of contributing to the dog world. Specifically, my interest was to supply direct to the dog clubs Australia wide. My first shipment of K9+ Soft Dog Crates has not only been proven to be very popular with Agility competitors, but are selling extremely well to obedience and tracking enthusiasts and also conformation show competitors.

I currently offer a range of styles and sizes of soft dog crates to suit all dogs. I belive that k9+ soft dog crates are the very best value available to date.

Mark Lewis