STAMFORD, Conn., Oct. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Today Link AKC, creators of the Link AKC smart collarä for dogs and 2017 CES “Best of Innovation” winner, announced the launch of two new products – an extra small collar and stylish “sport sleeve” accessory for active dogs. Additionally, the brand is broadening and improving product capabilities to give dog owners the richest user experience possible through a Link AKC skill for Amazon Alexa, a firmware update and expanded retail availability to Chewy.com and BestBuy.com. The news comes only seven months after the Link AKC smart collar began shipping to consumers in March 2017 and speaks to the company’s innovation in the pet tech category and commitment to strengthening the bond between owner and dog through product, technology and retail.
The Link AKC smart collar combines sophisticated smart home, wearable and mobile technologies to deliver a product that connects owners and dogs in meaningful ways. The new extra small collar and sport sleeve accessory reflect the brand’s commitment to providing unique products that bring together functionality, fashion, engagement and fun. The extra small collar uses a lightweight leather sleeve as an alternative to the classic leather carrier, allowing for a flexible and comfortable fit on dogs in the 10-15 lb. range. The sport sleeve is the ultimate accessory for extra active dogs and features durable, high-performance material tough enough to withstand wind, dust, water and other conditions consistent with an active lifestyle. The sport sleeve is available in two colors and includes reflective material to help dogs be better seen in dark conditions.
“At Link AKC, our mission is to help owners better understand their dogs and to keep them safe, happy, and healthy using the latest cutting-edge technology, insights and pet owner feedback,” said Michael Basone, COO & EVP of Link AKC. “We’re excited to expand our offerings to include products and accessories that allow dog parents to customize collars to fit their dog and lifestyle best – whether they’re looking for a collar for a small dog or a sporty look to match their active lifestyle.”
Link AKC is also improving the user experience. This fall, Link AKC created a new skill for Amazon Alexa that offers users another way to interact with their dogs’ smart collars in addition to the Link AKC smart phone app. Dog owners will now be able to use the Link AKC skill for Alexa to access insights gathered from the Link AKC smart collar, including their dog’s activity stats. Link AKC also released a firmware update that improves Bluetooth connectivity and GPS speed and accuracy to support overall product function.
To meet the demands of today’s pet owner and their shopping preferences, Link AKC is expanding its retail presence to include two additional e-commerce sites – Chewy.com and BestBuy.com – in addition to LinkAKC.com and Amazon. This move reflects a booming luxury pet tech category fueled by a large and growing consumer demographic that consider pets as family members. Link AKC exceeded pre-order estimates by 100% in the spring and has continued to grow with unit sales each month exceeding the prior month. The pet supplies & pet services industry is anticipated to achieve 20%+ growth between 2017-2022, * and the pet wearables market alone is expected to reach $2.4 billion by 2022. **
The Link AKC smart collar is the only curved smart device designed to comfortably fit the natural shape of a dog’s neck. In addition to the new extra small size, collars are available in four additional sizes to fit a wide range of dogs, from small to extra-large. Dog owners will appreciate the many features that provide benefits for both the dog and owner, including:
- GPS tracking and location: Gives dog owners peace of mind with the ability to track the dog’s location and receive alerts if the dog becomes loose.
- Activity monitor: Provides insightful activity recommendations to help owners take a more informed role in managing their dog’s wellness. Owners can monitor and track their dog’s daily activity levels to help ensure their dogs are getting the right level of activity for the dog’s breed, age, and size.
- Remote-controlled light: The only smart collar with a remote- controlled light to help an owner see their dog in the dark.
- Temperature: Alerts to notify you if your dog may be in an environment that is too hot or cold.
- Adventures: Record, save and share your special adventures together on social media.
- Training: App controlled sound that can assist owners in training their dog.
The Link AKC smart collar is available with an SRP of $149. The sport sleeve is available as an accessory with a SRP of $24.99.
For more information, visit www.LinkAKC.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
*Mintel (July 2017), “America’s Pet Owners”
** Grand View Research (February 2016), “Pet Wearable Market Analysis”
About Link AKC
Link AKC is dedicated to enhancing the bond between dogs and owners. The cutting-edge technology in the Link AKC GPS-enabled dog collar and smartphone app combines state-of-the-art smart home, wearable and mobile technology and was recognized by CES as a 2017 “Best of Innovation” winner. The team behind the Link AKC smart collar is made up of passionate dog lovers, tech experts and designers who have combined the best of design and technology to elevate dog wearables to a lifestyle product category. By tapping into The American Kennel Club’s 132 years of devotion to our best friends, Link AKC is able to help owners better understand their dogs.
