Mark Schuette spent a recent Sunday morning rolling through Drake Park. A roving landmark in Bend, Schuette delights passersby with his novel mode of transportation — a dog-powered scooter.
“When I roll past people, I get lots of ‘Look at that!’” Schuette said. “I like passing by the crowds at the Hayden Homes Amphitheater. People always want to chat. They’ll ask for a test ride. It’s so safe and easy. My dogs always slow down when they get too far away from me.”
On this morning, Schuette was aided by his two pups, Bolt, a 2-year-old black Pointer Pit
— “He’s the puller” — and Copper, a 3-year-old German Pointer with a rare brindle coat. “He’s the thinker.”
A 30-minute outing, which can cover 2 or 3 miles, depending on terrain and bike path traffic, is plenty satisfying for the pups. When the going gets slow, Schuette can dab a foot on the pavement or begin walking the scooter without any disruption to the dogs’ flow.
“These scooters are made for high-energy dogs who really love to pull,” Schuette said.
On this morning, the doggos, secured in harnesses attached to outrigger arms, whined with anticipation. Attempting a test ride, this reporter took the handlebars and, balancing on the scooter platform, released the brakes. The dogs pawed at the pavement — off we went. Cruising at even 5 MPH, the scooter is remarkably stable. When I came to a stop, the scooter, supported by the dogs, practically stands on its own. As Schuette later showed me, the dogs can sit and even lie down without discomfort. Recently, Schuette updated the outrigger bar design, which allows the carabiners to swing with several inches of play. That lets the dogs pull smoothly. Unlike conventional joring setups where dogs might pull, say, a mountain biker from an anterior line, the dog scooter design allows the rider to be in front. Schuette can check on his dogs’ condition by glancing over his shoulder or by spying on them through a rearview mirror attached to his handlebar end.
“This way you can see the dogs faces and not their butts,” he said.
Schuette, 74, and a retired architect who specialized in eco and solar constructions, began selling these two-wheeled rigs from his website, dogpowerscooter.com, in 2006. He currently has two models in stock. The latest design is a fat bike scooter that rolls smoothly on gravel, single track and even a light dusting of snow. A longer wheelbase, wider footplate and higher ground clearance than his previous models ramp up the stability and comfort.
Schuette contracts with a Willamette Valley fabricator who makes the scooter frames. A welder in Bend provides the outrigger arms. Wheels and components are sourced from China, which keeps prices down. Scooters range in price from about $400 (not including the outrigger arm) to $850. The outrigger arms are customizable in size via quick-release levers and can be configured to either side of the scooter.
Schuette’s customers overwhelmingly live in the cooler regions of California or in upstate New York. Surprisingly, in nearly two decades, Schuette has only sold three scooters in Bend. Australia is a frequent international destination for his dog rigs. Europe, too. He’d love to partner with an investor.
Yet not everyone Schuette encounters on the bike path is thrilled by the sight of them. He hears “You’re lazy!” or condemnations of his alleged disregard for the canines’ well-being. But Schuette doesn’t sweat it; he knows that, despite himself weighing 160 pounds, the dogs are only pulling the equivalent of six or seven pounds.
“That’s because you’re on wheels,” Schuette said with a grin.
This article appears in Central Oregon Pets Fall 2025.
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