Redhound goes Nationwide!

Apologies for the lack of posts last week, it's been more than a little hectic here at Redhound HQ! Some of you might know from other social media sites that we had a rather sizeable delivery to make to a new local stockist on Saturday last, and for it there was quite a bit of making to be done! mmm mostly by me! note to self, look into finding some HELP!!

So this post is mostly information, with a few images thrown in for good measure. I thought you might like to know where in the country one can purchase our lovely products, so here is the list of stockists for you to print off and stick on the fridge!

Redhouse Gifts, Totnes, Devon 

www.redhousegifts.co.uk

Vintage Now Interiors, Newton Abbot, Devon

www.vintagenowinteriors.com

The House Gallery,Olney, Buckinghamshire

www.thehousegallery.co.uk

Pink Whiskers, Clitheroe, Lancashire

www.pinkwhiskers.co.uk

Room No 9, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire

www.roomno9.co.uk

So Heavenly, Bishops Stortford,Hertfordshire

Hunker Down Daisy, Bearsted, Kent

www.hunkerdowndaisy.co.uk

Charity Farm, Cranbrook, Kent

www.charityfarmcountrystore.co.uk

and from end of August

Parma Violet, Kirby Lonsdale, Cumbria

www.parmaviolet.co.uk

So there it is! not a bad start to our nationwide campaign to bring style into you and your dogs life!

All of these shops are lovely and sell other lovely things so if you are in any of their neck of the woods, pop in and have a mooch! 

Loving Life

It occurred to me this morning whilst out with the whippets, just how lucky I am. I might be feeling tired from all the late nights of working and not taking time off (apart from twice a day when we go walking) but, I am lucky because I am doing something that I absolutely LOVE! My time is spent designing, making and selling our fantastic dog products and even though I traded silk georgette ( I owned a Wedding Dress shop in my previous life ) for wax cotton, I still LOVE it!! 

What could be better in life than spending all day doing the things that you LOVE?

So I thought I would share with you some of my favourite images of our products from the vast collection I have, all of which have been taken on fun days spent with our wonderful photographer, Maz of www.lightanddayphoto.com 

So there they are, just a few, none made it onto the website, but they are all fantastic and bring back happy memories of great days, often dodging the rain in Sunny Devon! 

Whippet Love?

It is no secret that my tippy top favourite dog breed is the whippet, closely followed by the lurcher and then any other long dog, saluki, greyhound, and any combination of the above. However, this week I have encountered a very special breed of dog. The Dandy Dinmont. This dog is very much in danger of becoming extinct with only a handful born last year. So, imagine how lucky I felt to meet two of these lovely little dogs at the Wealden Times Midsummer Fair two weeks ago. I promptly insulted the owners when I asked if they were wire hair dachsunds, and should have gone with my instinct, and extensive knowledge, I do after all go to bed with my Observers Book of Dogs, circa 1961, every night, because I knew they were Dandies! After all I have knitted a jumper for one and had to familiarize myself with the shape of this adorable dog.

So, back to this weeks encounter, above is a picture of Hugo, the Dandie puppy that I was lucky enough to meet and cuddle at the Cattery where we take our elderly cat when we go off to sell our wares at shows, as we were this weekend. Hugo has stolen my heart! Such a beautiful, calm and adorable dog. And they have an adult girl with whom they plan to breed, so more puppys!! I am definately going to do some photos for the website with these wonderful little dogs. So keep an eye out!

The book says 'Coat soft yet thick, rather like the Bedlington' This could be a clue, I adore the little Bedlington Terriers, and at the Wiltshire County Show I met one, a little girl, called Alfie, mmm I too thought, that's a boys name, but the owners were lovely and the dog sweet and playful. 

Then as if to temp me to abandon my 'I will only ever have a whippet' rule, a customer sent me this picture of Violet the beautiful Welsh Terrier. This is another breed that I have long loved and if it wasn't for the fact that they are terriers, well, I could be tempted!!

So, me thinks maybe the best solution when I am faced with the decision of what to get next, it will be a Whippet/Bedlington cross. Then I could get two of my favourite breeds in one. Or could I be tempted by a Dandie???

Then I look at these treasures I have, sleeping in their beds, or our bed, or the spare bed, sofa..... and I think No Its Whippets for me everytime!!Because I just love them. 

Raincoats for all Dogs

It has been wet lately. Understatement!June has not been basking in sun, but battered by rain, the wettest it has been for many a decade. A fact that has not escaped us here at Redhound HQ. My sewing machine has been whizzing up many a rain coat for many different shaped hounds to keep them pesky raindrops off.

It got me thinking, that you may not know that we 

a)make to measure & 

b)have breed specific sized and shaped coats

And here are those special cases

Dachshunds. They present a few issues. This means that they require a whole different shaped coat. Straight back, big ears, and short bodies! But they are wonderful dogs, and we can now accommodate their little bodies, and you can buy your beloved a coat that won't be massive in the body because you had to buy the right length. It has a popper front too.

Spaniels. Wonderful Dogs. Often not in need of a coat at all, as they seem to love getting wet!! But, some owners of these super dogs, don't have a downstairs shower to wash them down after a walk and have asked us to come up with a design that covers the underneath. I give you the Kent coat. It does the trick. Won't keep all of your furry friend dry, but will do a pretty good job! 

The Terrier! Well, my experience at the many shows we do up and down the land, is that these busy little dogs really don't like having a coat put over their heads! So, if you value your hands as I do, you will need our Popper Fronted Dartmoor Coat. Easy, problem solved.

And onto my favourite breed, the whippet! Obviously I am bias, I admit it, but it is a breed who's shape I have come to be very familiar with over the last 9 years. They have small heads and necks, long skinny bodies that curve near the tail. So, we do a special Whippet shape. This will not drown your dog because you had to buy a long coat, and will sit neatly around the neck. Just look at Barney and Cloud here. Neat.

Labradoodles. Not really in need of a coat, but illustrating that if you don't want a soaking wet dog on the late night comfort break, our standard shape will fit these lovely hounds to perfection.

So, I hope that helps. The Redhound guide to getting the right coat for your dog! I know this rain is good for business, but I really really would like it to stop now. Enough.

Bruno, my muse

I look at lots of images of dogs in my business, and it got me thinking that maybe I should do a blog post all about Bruno, my faithful companion of 9 years, and the ever present and willing Redhound muse. My photographer always loves to take pictures of him because he behaves like a real pro! Well I suppose offering him fresh chicken or cheese probably has helped somewhat!!! 

Here are some of my favourite pictures of my boy. 

as I am now in danger of boring you all, just one more!

So there you have it, my selection of the best photos of who I believe to be the most beautiful of blue whippets the hound world has ever known.

Lazy Dog Days

We've gone all bright and summery here at Redhound HQ. Our new donut dog beds are now available in four new patterns to compliment your home and give your dog the best snoozing experience he or she has ever had!!


                        Bright Circles 

                          Purple Spot

These two will brighten up any sunny room and your dog will love to snuggle into them! You will love the fact that they are washable, oh yes ladies, washable, put the whole bed in the machine, easy! 


Then we have the more muted Grey Spot, and Grey Scandi print,if you love that retro look.


                           Grey Spot

                          Grey Scandi

You can see how much our super dog models love these beds,thank                    you Miller, Tinker and Nolly!

News from Redhound HQ

Wow what a busy week it has been! I started out by travelling all the way to Chepstow to the wonderful Maz of www.lightanddayphoto.com to do a photoshoot of all our new and exciting products! The doggie models were all lined up, Tinker the Jack Russel, Nolly the Spaniel, and Miller the Labradoodle! Coffee was drunk while we waited for our star of the day, Frank the Daschund. He arrived, had a bark and a sniff, and all was well!

We went down the beautiful garden path to the studio, where Frank took centre stage!! Lots of bribery by way of Klassy Canine treats was employed and we got some fantastic shots.
We took pictures of beds, bandanas, wax cotton coats, and even in the heat we managed to get a few of the new jumpers!
My stylish stylist assistant Kathy was such a great help, especially in the shots of all dogs together! We wait eagerly now to see the finished results!!

Then I hot footed it back home to get some goodies made and out in the post for our lovely customers. And now it's onto planning our first ever trade show!

Whippets have had a lazy week, general sleeping in a variety of beds, some playing with frisbee and much rolling in smelling horrid stuff! Business as usual at Redhound HQ.