I am a Wondercoat dog too! Wearing my pink harness that was once only for sausage dogs but now fits my slender build.
It all started with Mum looking at a Wondercoat Storm made specially for dachshunds and thinking it looked like it would fit George. She tried it on him and it did!
Mum was intrigued. She liked how the Wondercoat was a wrap coat and wondered if George might also be fitted with a Wondercoat harness – she hadn’t found one that she liked. The founder of Wondercoat, Michela had only made those coats specially for her daschunds and never thought it could fit any other breed. Now George was giving her something to think about – expanding it to fit other small (slender) dogs.
Now Michela was thinking maybe even I might fit one. Mum wasn’t sure but she insisted on making a Wondercoat Air harness for me so we would match. But what do you know?
Michela also made a Wondercoat Storm for me.
And now we are both set with the 2-in-1 Wondercoat Air harness and Wondercoat Storm!
And we now wear harnesses.
This is rather revolutionary. You see, we don’t usually wear harnesses. Mum thinks wearing a harness make us look like we’re in bondage. But we have to wear them when we go on long car rides. She would break out in a sweat trying to figure out which way the straps go. Half an hour later, a hot and bothered Mum would finally put her foot on the pedal to get on our way.
With the Wondercoat harness, all we have to do is step into the armholes and then wrapped around our chests and securely Velcro-ed on the back. It hugs our chest, there are no straps that can possibly cut in the case of a sudden stop. That makes it even safer. The Wondercoat harness made of mesh is perfect for all seasons.
And if the rain comes, the 2-in-1 100% waterproof coat just wraps around the harness to keep us dry. We are converted.
May’s comment: I thought it would be best to ask Michela to tell us about her journey with creating her brand of Wondercoats.
My dogs are at the core of what I do.
Struggling to dress three reluctant dogs in fussy harnesses and coats, I would end up stressed and cross, having to clean up puddles before even leaving the house. There had to be a better way.
I needed to streamline the daily chaos, and finding nothing on the market which was practical in either fit or quality, I set out to design my own perfect solution. Garments which were luxurious but simple to put on, properly fitting and most importantly practical, making my dogs and my own life easier and happier.
Fast forward three years, hundreds of prototypes, fabrics and construction methods … we now have a full collection which covers every season and aims to solve all of the frustrating issues faced with other small dog harnesses and coats. Our garments are cut for comfort, to minimise rub or cutting in and to properly fit small dog proportions securely and comfortably. Our full winter harness-coats and fleece coats are truly waterproof. Most importantly, for our messy dog life, our garments are machine washable. Involved in every step of the journey, my dogs have shared and shaped the meticulous design, development and prototyping of each of the beautiful garments we construct today.
Originally designed specifically for miniature dachshunds, as we continuously developed and improved our garments to better fit every conceivable size and shape of dachshund, ‘we’ (in fact Darcy’s Mummy) discovered that our garments now beautifully fit many other small breeds of dog too. I was delighted to be able to fit the wonderful Miss Darcy who has discovered yet another unexpected benefit of our simple but secure harness … an effective harness for the car.
Our harnesses are constructed from cool, breathable mesh which is tough but soft, secured with a strong velcro strip for safety and adjustable fit.
We offer 8 different sizes to fit many small and miniature breeds as well as puppies. Our handmade garments are meticulously constructed from more than fifteen pattern pieces and take several hours to create, made to order in one of our two studios in London and Cornwall.
As a small business founder, my biggest challenge has been asking customers to take that leap of faith, deciding to shop small rather than choose bigger, more established brands. I strive to design different and innovative products to enable that leap to be an exciting experience. Wondercoat is not just about dog coats for me. Wondercoat is a way for me to carve out a unique place for myself, bringing together elements of everything I love and feel passionate about … dogs, family and creativity. I am working towards something I can be proud of. I want to show my children that creative thinking, hard word and a belief in your own idea can transform into something fulfilling and wonderful.
You can contact Michela on her Instagram account @wondercoat.dog, on her website – www.wondercoat.dog or email her michela@wondercoat.dog
