Our Story

About Us

WOOF! I'm Roger, Head of Toy Testing, and the reason Hound & Co exists.

And this is my side of the story.

Three years ago, I rescued a family.

They didn't know it yet, but they needed me. They were relaxed, well rested, and their belongings were intact. Tragic, really.

So I moved in to fix that, and I'd say I've done a pretty good job.

I'm an Aussie Shepherd, which means I'm cheeky by trade, a scoundrel by reputation, and according to my Mum Trudi, a handful from day one.

In the first few months, I scratched, chewed holes in her favourite things, and gave her an unforgettable introduction to razor-sharp puppy teeth. Nibbling is my love language, after all.

There were plenty of walks and things to sniff, but a dog like me has instincts that don't switch off at the front door. I needed to chase, chew, solve problems, and use my brain and my body like my paw-fathers before me.

Turns out, a walk around the block wasn’t going to cut it.

So Mum went toy shopping, but the cheap ones broke into pieces I could swallow, and the stuffed ones gave up their guts within hours. Mum was constantly stressed about choking hazards and vet bills, and she was left sleeping with one eye open.

So she started late-night Googling while I slept. (I was watching.)

Eventually she found genuinely durable, non-toxic toys that were actually difficult to destroy. Trust me, I tried.

The whole family started playing with me, and something happened that Mum didn't expect—I calmed down (I was just as surprised as she was). I'm not saying I became an angel. I'm a scoundrel, after all, and there are standards to maintain. But I was a content scoundrel, which is a big difference.

Mum didn't know it yet, but we’d just accidentally invented Hound & Co.

Of course I immediately offered to become the Head of Toy Testing. Every toy on this site has been handed to me with the words "go on then, Rog, do your worst."

And I did my worst, and then got my pack of dog park chewers, herders, chasers, and fun-havers to test them again.

The toys that survived? They’re right here on the website. And the ones that didn't? They’re in a graveyard I'm not allowed to visit.

Shop the toys that made the cut

Dogs will be dogs. We chase, we chew, we problem-solve, and we get bored when we're not allowed to do any of those things.

Which is why the right toy is more than a treat. It's how we settle, have fun, and bond with you. It's also how you stop finding new holes in the garden every morning. So go have a sniff around and see what toys your good boy will like. You might even get a quiet cup of tea out of it afterwards. But don't get used to it.