The next time you need to give your dog a "time-out" you can tell Pooch to take a seat -- literally.

Goodwin and Company, the unique design firm famous for producing Slipper Chairs for high-end fashion and interior designers, is now featuring furniture chairs made specifically for dogs.


"Pet furniture is actually a growing area of opportunity for furniture designers," said Gary Goodwin, president of Goodwin and Company. "I think we've reached a tipping point with pets today -- people think nothing of lavishing mega dollars on clothing and care for their animals -- why not buy Fido an affordable piece of furniture the pet can call its own?"


The chairs, upholstered on a hardwood frame in tan or beige microfibre, are handmade in the United States and can be personalized with any of eight breed silhouettes.


"There are lots of pet beds out there," said Jay Stuck, president of BrandGuy, Inc., which is handling the marketing and public relations for Goodwin and Company. "But furniture such as chairs for pets is the next big thing. It's actually a real piece of furniture better suited for the living room rather than the back hall."


Goodwin said that a recent Pew Research study said 85 percent of dog owners consider their pet a family member. "Other recent pet trends include the growing popularity of bringing your dog to work with you. So after a hard day at the office, why not have your dog relax in his favorite chair," he joked.


Goodwin is famous for designing slipper chairs, the 1800's style 30-inch high chairs originally meant for Victorian ladies to sit on while dressing in their boudoirs, Stuck said. They are similarly hand built but surprisingly affordable when ordered on-line from the Goodwin website: http://www.slipperchairs.com/. Other types of pet furniture are also featured on the Goodwin corporate site.


The chairs retail for $169 and are available in the August issue of the popular Charles Keath mail-order consumer catalog, Goodwin said. The chairs can be ordered by phone at 888 918-4000 or on the Charles Keath website at http://www.charleskeath.com/. Built in Cleveland, Tennessee, the chairs can be dropped shipped directly to consumers.