Has a friend announced the arrival of a new puppy? Is it your treasured family pet’s birthday? Or do you just love your four-legged friend so much you want to shower them with gifts?
Whatever the reason, Luxury Dog Hampers has the occasion covered with its range of beautifully packaged presents, starting at £35...and going all the way up to the ‘blow out’ option of a Billionaire’s Collection hamper for £127.
The business, based in Coddenham and delivering UK-wide, was started by Karen Rhodes just a few months before lockdown.
“I was watching a programme about Fortnum & Mason and their hampers, and I thought ‘I wonder if there’s a doggy equivalent?’
“So I googled ‘luxury dog hampers’ and nothing came up. There were other people at the time who added dog treats into their hampers, but nothing solely for dogs.
“I was sat with my dog Bailey, who was really the inspiration behind this. I was a dog walker at the time, and his health was deteriorating, so I wanted a job I could do from home to care for him, so I could be with him in his last years.”
Sadly Bailey is no longer with Karen, but she’s been accompanied on her new business journey by Bertie the border collie and Arthur the Newfoundland – willing test subjects for the buffet of goodies that find their way into each basket.
Karen says everything that goes into the hampers is either 100% natural or organic, and where possible Fairtrade.
“There’s no nasties. These aren’t the kinds of things you’ll find in the big shops. I like to find things that are lovingly handmade by people in the UK.”
Ranges include Little Luxuries (which include a classic toy and some treats), Signature Luxuries (with a few more treats), The Ultimate Indulgence (jam-packed with treats and toys), and the Billionaire’s Collection – an extra-large hamper filled with one of everything Karen has in stock.
There are puppy hampers laden with a dog training book, chew, soft blanket, cuddly toy and treats suitable from 12 weeks of age.
And Golden Oldies hampers with products to aid joint health.
Karen says she finds it hard to pull out the individual products from the hampers she loves best.
“My favourite though is probably Nature’s Menu’s XCountry Hunter bars. They’re packed full of natural ingredients that are perfect for your dog’s wellbeing, including berries.
“We have some dried fruit treats as well. My dogs both love the papaya. If they have a tummy ache papaya is really good. And they’re human grade, so I’ve tried them myself!”
Karen lists off doggy pates as another smash hit with her dogs. As well as low calorie ostrich treats – perfect for training puppies.
Then there are natural rubber chew toys, ‘snuffle balls’ to fill with toys and edible treats, and plush, robust tweed toys shaped as bears and foxes.
“And I really like my Christmas range. I do Innocent Hound cake mixes, so you can make your dog their own Christmas cake!”
Hamper prices include delivery, and for every purchase a donation is made to Service Dogs UK, with Karen sending them free hampers in the festive season to celebrate their passing out.
Find out more at luxurydoghampers.co.uk
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