Julius K9®: harnessing innovation to meet dog lovers’ needs

• Author: Catherine Jewell
• Position: Information and Digital Outreach Division, WIPO

“Twenty-five years ago, we recognized a need for well-designed gear that allows owners to spend the best possible time with their dog and we remain committed to that goal,” says Gyula Sebő, founder and CEO of Julius K-9^®. (Photo: Courtesy of Julius K-9^®)

Tell us about how you came to set up Julius K-9^®

I set up the company with my wife, Anikó Bakos, in 1997. We started from our garage in true start-up style. I had worked as a volunteer dog trainer for some time in Austria, training police dogs. During that time, I noticed that while the training was highly professional, the equipment was rather basic. Although a niche area at the time, I realized there was a gap in the market. I trained as a saddler to learn how to make harnesses and that’s how I got into manufacturing dog harnesses and came to set up the company. Our first customers were the police and security companies. Working with service dogs meant that we could develop special equipment. In fact, we were the first company in Europe to manufacture bulletproof dog vests. But later on, we decided to focus on the consumer market. We didn’t want to be seen to profit from conflict situations and we also recognized the emotional power of dogs and the companionship they offer people. I’m convinced that if our four-legged canine friends could speak they would tell us that people deserve to be loved! I have dedicated my life to pet welfare innovations. In my eyes, dog ownership is about caring and taking responsibility. In return, dogs bring joy to our lives. Twenty-five years ago, we recognized a need for well-designed gear that allows owners to spend the best possible time with their dog and we remain committed to that goal.

“The main take-away from my experience in launching new products over the past decade is to protect innovation on all fronts, if possible, especially in terms of their design and technical content,” explains Gyula Sebő. (Photo: Courtesy of Julius K-9^®)

How did you come up with your company name Julius K-9^®?

Choosing a name for your business is extremely important. We went about it in a very simple way. As we were exporting from Hungary to Austria and Germany, we chose Julius, the German version of my name, Gyula, and combined it with K-9, which refers to Kele Street 9, in Budapest, where we lived and where I got my first dog.

What have been some of the biggest challenges you faced in developing your company?

There have been many ups and downs. In the mid-2000s for...