Beds made in Manchester give a good night’s rest to four-legged friends who are feeling dog tired
The best place when you’re dog tired is a comfy bed and it’s no different if you’re a tired dog. And dogs who know lead the way to beds made in Manchester by Ivy & Duke.
The small family-run business creates practical, durable and stylish individually handcrafted dog beds and accessories designed to suit the lives of dogs of all shapes, sizes and ages.
The business was founded by Charlotte Taylor who named it after the two golden labradors she had when she was growing up in the Ribble Valley.
She now lives in Darwen and said: ‘When I bought a puppy I noticed that many of the dog beds on the market were designed and manufactured outside of the UK – often to keep costs low, but at the detriment of quality, comfort and style.
‘So I set about designing a comfort-led range, that didn’t compromise on style and practicality and was wholly manufactured in Britain to the highest quality, using locally sourced materials.’
Charlotte, who likes to walk her two Weimaraners, Winston and Clementine, on the moors around Darwen, runs the business with her husband Mark, her son Dylan works on the business’s customer service and his wife Megan is their social media manager. Daughters Daisy, Lauren and Kerry are all involved, too.
‘Winston and Clemmie love their beds, but they do sometimes bicker about who’s sleeping where,’ added Charlotte, who will have a stand at Crufts this month. ‘We have different beds for them in different rooms – they're our quality control team.’
The beds come in a range of colour schemes, in fabric or waterproof cover materials and each has a removable cover and can be washed at a 30-degree wash. They can also be personalised with dog’s names embroidered on pillows and blankets.
‘All the materials for the beds are sourced from the region,’ Charlotte said. ‘The memory foam has excellent orthopaedic qualities and gives that extra bit of comfort that all dogs need. From energetic young pups needing to rest after a big adventure to older dogs needing a more supportive bed for their joints.’
* To see more, go to ivyandduke.co.uk or visit the factory showroom in Failsworth, Manchester where dogs can test the beds. Check online for opening times.
