The Hope Hound Story

Hey there, I’m Dan, the heart and soul behind Hope Hound, and I’m thrilled to share the story of how it all began. Brace yourself – it’s a journey filled with ups, downs, and a lot of furry love.

Life can be a bit of a rollercoaster, right? I found myself caught up in the whole work, eat, sleep, repeat cycle, running an online Amazon business that, honestly, didn’t light a fire in my belly. It paid the bills, so I was content for a while. But then, out of the blue, life threw me a curveball – health issues hit me again. I’d been dealing with an autoimmune disease since my teenage years, so being “unwell” was something I’d gotten used to. But this time, it was different – extreme fatigue, brain fog, depression and a loss of motivation led to the downfall of my online business. Closing it down was tough and to make matters worse, my beloved dog, Nipper, passed away. It hit me hard, and I found myself at a low point. The double blow felt like my world was falling apart.

Losing Nipper hit me the hardest. She was an integral part of my life. She’d been my rock, my companion through thick and thin. I’d nursed her through her own health battles, and her passing left a massive void in my life which I was struggling to deal with.

Depression set in, becoming this dark cloud over everything. Months of being unwell and unable to work gave me a chance to reflect. Something had to change. Just selling anything to pay the bills wasn’t cutting it – it was time for a purpose that brought joy and fulfilment. Being brutally honest with myself, I recognised that my true happiness lay in my love for dogs, especially Nipper. What if I could turn that passion into a business?

In the midst of all this darkness, the idea of Hope Hound began to take shape. It started as a tiny spark – a way for me to channel my energy into something positive. I envisioned a business that celebrated my passion for dogs, focusing on handmade, unique products rather than the mass-produced items that seem to be everywhere.

Armed with a love for graphic design and making things with my hands, I set out to create quality products without cutting any corners. I wanted to create not just any old dog products, but also a brand that could bring a bit of joy, style, and hope to the lives of fellow dog lovers. But there was more to it. In the back of my mind, I wanted to make a difference. Dog rescues were close to my heart, knowing the financial struggles they faced. It became a way for me to turn a challenging chapter in my life into a new beginning.

Leo

Leo’s arrival marked a turning point. He and Bonnie became fast friends, aiding in my recovery and giving me a positive focus. Day by day, I started feeling better, and optimism for the future crept in. Motivated by Leo and the positive changes, I decided it was time to kickstart my new venture – a handmade dog gear business. My first creation? Handmade dog collars!

Learning the art of dog collar making took dedication, but after six months of hard work, research, and development, ‘Hope Hound’ was born!

Every collar on this site is designed and crafted by me, using the highest quality materials. I believe dog collars should be both beautiful and practical, built to last. Every fabric pattern is unique, designed in-house and printed on high-quality robust canvas material right here in the UK. I only use high-quality hardware, reinforced with heavyweight UV-resistant thread, ensuring durability. All materials I use are vegan-friendly and easy to wash.

Here’s the exciting part— I’ve partnered with smaller dog rescues in the UK, and for every collar sold, £5.00 is donated to support one of these rescues. Check out the ‘Dog Rescues We Support‘ page to learn more about the incredible organisations we’re proud to be associated with.

Thanks for joining me on this journey! Your support means the world to Hope Hound and me. 🐾✨