Our Story
In 2017, after a few years taking horseback riding lessons, I bought my first horse, my lesson horse! There was a woman at the barn who made beaded browbands and I decided I wanted to make a special browband for my new boy! I found a vendor who sold empty channel browbands and the necessary tools, watched their “how to” video and got to work! But I couldn’t stop at just one! I kept having ideas and making more browbands as well as collars for my two rescue dogs! They inspired me and I loved giving them their own special accessories that showed off their personalities. As we were out and about, people would compliment my pups and their collars and friends at the barn would ask me to make browbands for their horses.
I realized that we all like to dote on our four-legged friends, in many ways. And so, I created Spaniel & Hound Designs to create collars and browbands for owners to capture the spirits of their dogs and horses for the whole world to see.
Our name is a tribute to my two dogs at the time, both rescues, a Brittany spaniel mix and a blue tick coonhound mix. They, my horse, and all of my other pets since continue to inspire me, as do our four-legged friends. I hope our collars and browbands bring you and your dog or horse as much joy as I have making these items, and I, and all the Spaniels & Hound Designs animals wish you happy trails!
Our Namesakes & My Inspiration
The Spaniel
The Spaniel was a Brittany-Beagle mix who was found at roughly 7 years old as a stray in rural West Virginia. In tact, practically bald from the waist down from fleas, and with several pieces of buckshot under his skin, it was clear to the rescue that he had been on his own for a long time and had endured more than any dog ever should.
I never had a doubt that I and my pets at the time could give him a wonderful home and help him heal from his trauma. Once home, he flourished; he got neutered and he grew in a gorgeous coat! He learned what it meant to be loved. He never fully got over his trauma and trusted only a few people, but he and I bonded very closely and he knew nothing but love, safety, and comfort until his passing in 2021 at roughly 15 years old.
The Hound
The Hound was a coonhound mix who I started fostering when he was about 6 years old. I foster failed a few months later. He was the first of many foster fails for me! Pulled from a shelter in a rural area of Virginia, I don’t know too much of his history. However, none of his history seemed to matter to him. He made the most of every day; chewing on treats and toys, taking in every walking adventure with the widest, inquisitive eyes, and snuggling like a champ with me, the Spaniel and the cats.
When he came home, his happy-go-lucky and trusting nature showed The Spaniel that the world and people could be trusted and they became the closest of brothers. He joined The Spaniel across the Rainbow Bridge in 2022 at roughly 15 years old.
The Horse
When you are 35 years old and decide to start taking horseback riding lessons, you’ve outgrown the ponies the kids get to learn from. Luckily, the program had this big guy, who could carry me and also understood my fear and tolerated my poor coordination. We quickly became friends and when I found out he was for sale, it was a no brainer.
He taught me to ride and gave me the confidence to do so much in life! In Spring of 2026, he retired from riding at 28 years old. We still spend time together several times a week, sharing snacks, scratches and knowing nudges!