Rose gold accents, precision stitching, plush fibers, and supple, leathery
straps. A description of your ultimate dream dress? Or perhaps the latest collection from your favorite fashion designer? Read on, because this design doesn’t come from Milan or Paris, but from PRUNKHUND, a hip, high-end fashion line…for dogs.
When Munich, Germany-based mother-daughter team Andrea and Pia Hinze couldn’t find the quality dog collars, harnesses, and leashes they wanted in stores, they took matters into their own hands, launching a luxe line of colorful canine accessories. Today, the self-described “PRUNKHUND Pack” is thriving, and their line is carried in 60 retail locations around the world, from Saint-Tropez to New York and Dubai.
But it’s not just the thought and care that go into the products that make PRUNKHUND so special—it’s the huge hearts of the women behind the scenes. In addition to running their growing empire, Andrea and Pia work to help abandoned pups find comfort and good homes. “Dogs are our world,” says Pia. “We think every dog should have a home and be loved. And maybe wear a PRUNKHUND collar someday.”
Read on to discover how this mother-daughter duo makes dogs look
great—then shop the collection.
You’re a family-run business, and your family also includes several dogs. Tell me how and when you got started.
Pia: Almost 10 years ago, we got our first dog and just couldn’t find any collar that was high-quality and good-looking enough for us.
Andrea: I was a computer scientist for 25 years and then they closed my office. At the time Pia and I thought, “If we’re looking for good dog stuff, then surely there are other people wanting the same thing—so why not start a business and have our own line?”
Pia: So we launched the business and about two years ago we opened our Etsy shop, as well.
Pia, your mom was a computer scientist. What did you do before starting PRUNKHUND?
P: I studied fashion design and I have a degree in the arts. I still work in design, but I’ve decided to focus primarily on our business because I find it more fulfilling.
Tell me what dogs mean to you.
P: Dogs are the world to us. They’re our family—we wouldn’t be a complete family without them. I lost my father when I was two years old, and when the first dog came to our house it made our family whole again. We had four dogs, but we recently lost one, so since the beginning of the year we’ve had three.
What’s the driving concept behind PRUNKHUND?
P: We always thought, “Let’s not make something super kitsch, but something that’s more high fashion. More modern.” Some of the stuff out there for dogs isn’t that great—there’s all this bling-bling for show dogs. So we thought, “Let’s make something different, something more like what we would wear ourselves.” And you can tell that when a dog has a collar that is a bit more fancy, people approach the dog in a better way.
As close as you are, is it sometimes difficult to divide responsibilities between the two of you?
P: It’s very hard because we’re always discussing and deciding everything together. But it’s perfect because we couldn’t do it without each other.
A: We love to travel around and visit fabric wholesalers. That’s our favorite thing to do, our favorite part of the business.
P: Just last week we were at the fabric fair in Munich. But those fairs are always so big and have so much incredible stuff, so it’s really hard to make choices. We try to concentrate on one vendor at a time, and look through everything and decide together. Sometimes we’ll find a very exclusive material and they just don’t have enough—these days we really need a lot of material. In the past, 10 meters was enough, but now we need 50 meters or a whole roll, and if possible it should come from a collection where we can reorder if we need to.
In addition to your Etsy shop, you have a number of retail locations. How big is the PRUNKHUND universe?
P: We’re carried in 60 retailers around the world. I think Etsy really helped to spread our work worldwide and expand our business.
How do you promote your business?
P: It’s mostly me promoting, and doing a lot of social media. Instagram is a really big channel for us. We can reach people worldwide and they’re such nice dog-loving people. They share photographs of their pets wearing the things we make. They love the product and they recommend it, which helps us a lot. And the dog rescue we support is very emotional for people.
Tell me about the dog rescue—how did you get involved?
P: Our first dog wasn’t a rescue. We wanted a family dog we could really rely on so we got a Labrador retriever. We thought she would be healthy and easy to teach, but she wasn’t at all. She was very stubborn. Then, we got our first rescue dog, Otto. We found him on the streets of Greece. He didn’t have any hair, he was bloody all over, and he couldn’t walk more than five steps without scratching himself. Right then, we decided to take him home with us.
We took him to a vet in Greece, and happily he pulled through—that was how the whole rescue thing started. Otto became a wonderful dog, and all his fur grew back. Then, I moved to France to finish my studies, and I was a bit lonely so I got Rudi, who’s a rescue dog from Spain. Then Heidi came from Spain, as well.
We know someone who works to find dogs homes here in Germany, and we donate meals to the shelter. It really means a lot to us. There are so many dogs in need and this is something we can do for them. They deserve it.
A: We also like to visit the shelter but we’re always a little afraid that we’ll come home with five more dogs.
P: Which is quite possible.
What is your manufacturing process? Do you sew everything yourself?
A: I still sit at the sewing machine all the time, even though we have three girls who help us with the sewing now.
P: We also recently launched a line of dog bowls. We couldn’t make them on our own, which was very sad, but we traveled around Germany and found another family-owned company who specializes in pottery. The woman there was very nice, and now they produce our designs.
What are some of your most popular items?
A: The mint and the blush collar and leash are some of our all-time favorites. The marble pattern is very popular as well. We do two collections a year and we’re always excited about the new colors and patterns. The new colors from this fall’s collection are oxford, powder, and merlot.
The work is so beautiful that I just have to ask you: Do people ever wear this stuff?
P: I did once have a friend ask me if she could have a collar.
Do you have advice for other Etsy sellers?
P: I think it’s very important to have good photos so the customer can really imagine what it would be like to have an item, and to show them that it would be something they’d really love to own.
What’s next for PRUNKHUND?
P: The next step for us is to find someone who can take on some of the administration and client support, because that’s a lot of work. We’re going on a one-week holiday tomorrow, and it’s always hard to go on vacation without having someone else who is really immersed in the business. But it’s hard to find someone you can share this with because it’s our heart and our passion.
You work together and you vacation together, too?
A: Yes, and we go in a camper van so that we can take all the dogs!
Follow PRUNKHUND on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Photographs by PRUNKHUND.
53 comments
Anna from FairyToysWorld said 3 years ago
So cute models) They are so serious))
Jelena from ShimaFiberArt said 3 years ago
Love your products! Absolutely gorgeous item!Love seeing your work space! Congratulations on the feature of your lovely shop. I wish you much success and Good Luck!
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 3 years ago
Love your work! Congratulations on the feature!
Vadim Moroz from VadimMorozArt said 3 years ago
Very nice products! Congratulations on the feature! All the Best!
Monika Moroz from NickoArts said 3 years ago
Thank you for sharing your inspiring story. Congratulations on the feature of your beautiful shop. I wish you much success with your dog rescue and your business :)
DeUno from DeUno said 3 years ago
Great idea! Well done! So lovely models!
ClassicMemories from ClassicMemories said 3 years ago
Great shop, adorable dogs. Congrats on the feature.
mari from frighten said 3 years ago
Gorgeous products and studio! Thanks so much for your animal rescue work!
renee and gerardo from GTDesigns said 3 years ago
Purely fabulous!!! Love the work space too!!! Congrats on this awesome feature!!
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 3 years ago
Great products! Congratulations on the feature!
Priscilla from Gardenmis said 3 years ago
Love the reason behind your business and your workspace! Congrats on the feature and best wishes for achieving all your goals and dreams :)
Maria from StyleGraphicDesign said 3 years ago
Lovely!!
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 3 years ago
Amazing shop! Love your workspace and dogs:) Congratulations on the feature!
Jennifer Tyson from LadyInPurpleBoutique said 3 years ago
I love hearing others talk about their rescues. My husband and I have 3 as well. :) Your products and shop are amazing! Congrats on the feature and hope you enjoy your vacation!
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 3 years ago
I cannot agree more that it is not easy to take vacation when you own a online business. I love the simple design of this store. Congratulations on the feature!
Wirat J. from SkylaBoutique said 3 years ago
Beautiful & inspiring work for dog lovers. Great article! :)
Veronika from VipFashionCat said 3 years ago
I really like pets. My cat Sonia is very happy, I really like her. I do a lot of cute accessories, hat and neck bow for her. She's a real lady. Your store inspired me. Now I want to have a PUPPY! Interestingly, they will be friends?
Jillian Audrey from JillianAudreyDesigns said 3 years ago
Congrats on the feature! Our doggo has a Prunkhud collar and leash and gets compliments everywhere he goes! :)
Gillian Northcott from esanivintage said 3 years ago
Great to see such a great mother daughter relationship, great product, excellent studio and beautiful dogs. Well done.
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 3 years ago
Wonderful article! Beautiful work!
Marina Palovaara from LaPetiteNina said 3 years ago
Adorable concept and gorgeous work!
Christina from TheWildPlum said 3 years ago
Brilliant! Congratulations!
Sherri from ButterflyFeetDigital said 3 years ago
Cute fur babies, great shop, congrats on the feature!
Claire Showalter from sQuircle said 3 years ago
Love reading about the approach! It sounds a bit funny at first "what would I wear" but makes so much sense, no matter who it's for!
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 3 years ago
Great story and you can tell you really care about your products and that you really love your dogs! Thank you for sharing and I wish you the very best.
Flair Nouri from FlairPaintings said 3 years ago
Very nice and attractive :)
unflappableproducts from unflappableproducts said 3 years ago
This is such a visually appealing article-congrats on your success! Beautiful work!
Rosemary Lambert from cardhugs said 3 years ago
Nicely organized shop. Collars appear sturdy. Love your photos of dog models.
R.M Garrett from ArtisticAcrylics said 3 years ago
Your hearts are so beautiful. You both not only make products for dogs, but you rescue them and make them apart of your family as well. You two put Wonder Woman to shame (smile)! You can tell in the photos that the dogs have complete trust and love for the both of you because they are being truly loved, cared for, and protected. Deeply moving and beautiful. On top of that, your products are beautiful! Now, I don't have a dog, but I will be making some purchases for myself!! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful story, and I wish you continued blessings and success!!!
Rosita from pillowlink said 3 years ago
Amazing work spaces and story as well!
viena bone from bonesreusablebags said 3 years ago
Wow! The rose gold on your accessories really makes them stand out! And is beautiful, of course! Congratulations on the success that you have achieved together.
Georgia from JewelMeShop said 3 years ago
You have a great shop! Congrats on the feature!
AnitasPottery.com from potterybyAnita said 3 years ago
Boy, this makes me miss my furbaby even more! What a fun place to work and play, your workplace is. Congrats on your success and for being Featured! ♥♥♥
Stacey from GraphixLLC said 3 years ago
Congratulations on the feature! Gorgeous shop and story. Love it!
Joan Howard said 3 years ago
Those are really cute pictures of the dogs!
Nadya Pavlova from Russianshowl said 3 years ago
ohh, lovely !! transform your hobby into a work and you will not have to work!))
elle and belle Forster from elleandbellejewelry said 3 years ago
Love your story, Pia and Andrea! Your designs and workspace are fabulous! All the best!
Elena from BetulaPainting said 3 years ago
Lovely goods!!! Congratulations on the feature!!!!
FuchsiaMoon from TheFuchsiaMoon said 3 years ago
Congratulations on the beautiful feature Andrea, Pia and Karen. Dogs do make our lives whole again. What better way to commemorate a rescue pup addition to the family than with one of these iconic collars or harnesses? I'm going for the Ibiza pink for our Dewey. He's not afraid to show his feminine side...
Magic Ant from magicantshirts said 3 years ago
I am sure i will buy a gift from your shop for a friend, so cool ;)
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 3 years ago
Love your shop, great feature!
Tim and Brigita Cornwell from jacobswoodentoys said 3 years ago
Wonderful product! All the best of success to you.
PS1002 from HealthyHemisphere said 3 years ago
Amazing, so beautiful! Love how your love & skill for design connect!
Wendy from DrevanM said 3 years ago
Your story and shop are inspiring. What a blessing for mother and daughter to get to work together. Congrats on the feature!
Simona from VivienFrankDesigns said 3 years ago
What a beautiful shop! Loving the Rose Gold option :)
emaxtees from EmaxTees said 3 years ago
Amazing work!
Lertpan Pathamavuthikan from orientaltribe11 said 3 years ago
Looks great! Congratulations
Vintage Gypsy Studios from BohemianGypsyCaravan said 3 years ago
I'm really digging the copper metal. Lovely work !
Rachel Bingaman from BingArt said 3 years ago
Beautiful! Just love those mint collars :)
Daiva from myfeltboots said 3 years ago
Inspiring story! It warms me up.... Looks classy & fabulous.
Kathryn from theCherishedBean said 3 years ago
It's it wonderful how things come together... I'm so happy for you both. I love your line! Thanks for sharing. P.S. Good looking models.
Carla Beougher said 3 years ago
Do not have order but impressed will be ordering again. Let know you app for my yorkies I have 4
Umesh Vigg from TheInspireDecor said 34 days ago
Brilliant! Congratulations on featuring!!