FAQ

Shipping

Packaging: Dogs are wrapped in tissue paper and presented in quality kraft brown boxes with magnetic flap closures and a white grossgrain ribbon tab. These boxes are posted in a secondary corrugated cardboard postal box. Pups for children and wrapped in tissue and posted in white corrugated card boxes. If you would prefer an anonymous, unmarked parcel please add a comment at checkout, otherwise it may carry stickers or rubber stamp decorations!

Tracking: Shipping rates include signature and tracking for both UK and International deliveries.

Customs: The value for customs will be given on the form and it is up to you to ascertain what charges, if any, may apply when importing goods. HERE is a useful duty calculator for customs charges. Parcels ship from London, UK. I am not responsible for any customs charges you may incur.

Missing parcels: All packages are tracked and insured. If we have established that your parcel has gone missing I will claim on the insurance and refund your order, unless you would like a replacement.

Toy Safety

I make a child-friendly dog with plastic joints, safety eyes and natural wool filling. All these components are EN71 certified. The pups have felt coats with felt 'buttons' and close with doll velcro. They are suitable for ages 3 and up. These are usually available in the shop.

All the breed dogs are made with glass eyes and cotter pin joints which contain metal pins. Some also contain steel shot. These are not suitable for children under 14yrs. They must never be given to a child under 3yrs.

Care

Mohair is a natural fibre. It is washable, but it is advisable to only spot clean dogs which have been fabric dyed. Dogs may be vacuumed with an upholstery attachment to remove dust. Mohair is vulnerable to clothes moths, so it is also advisable to inspect them regularly, if on display. It is possible to treat them with a moth repellent spray suitable for clothing or furniture. You can also use cedar and lavender essential oils on tissue or wooden blocks to deter pests. If they are ever damaged on their adventures we are happy to offer a toy hospital service. All dogs will be well looked after! Contact us for details.

The Little Toy Pup for children may be gently hand washed in cool water with a wool soap. Dry thoroughly in the sun, airing cupboard or other warm place for 24-48hrs to make sure the toy filling is totally dry before giving it back to its owner!

Layaway

If you see something you love, but would like to pay for it in installments, I offer layaway terms. One third of the price payable to reserve the item, and then two further payments of a third of the total price at monthly intervals after the first payment (or after payday!). Shipping will be added to the final payment and I will post to you as soon as that payment is made. Contact me to arrange and for full T&Cs.

Custom Orders

If you would like me to make a particular breed of dog (or animal), which is not available in the shop, you can request a custom order and I will make it for you.

Do CONTACT ME FIRST for a quote, or if there is something really specific you want, so I can confirm the final cost before you place your order.

This is not a pet portrait service as such because I will make a pattern that represents the breed in a truthful way, but it will be my creative interpretation that works technically in toy form. Often the crucial thing is finding a fur fabric that is just right for the job. These are specialist mohair fabrics from Steiff Schulte, Germany. Occasionally there can be a wait for a particular cloth to be woven. I can sometimes add personal colourings or markings. Some examples of things I can personalise are colours or placings of spots, white patches, tail or no tail on docked breeds, or even numbers of legs, ears and eyes!

There is a listing in the shop for a non-refundable down-payment, which covers my materials cost (mohair can cost up to £150 a metre!) and time spent discussing your order. Once I receive your deposit I'll put you in my calendar and let you know when I expect to finish your piece. Custom orders generally take 4-6 weeks. I'll send you photos before I list the finished piece as a reserved listing in the shop for you to buy when you're ready.

I enjoy making new dogs and I'm always on the look out for new fur. I have a list pinned to my studio wall of dogs I want to make so I get especially excited when someone asks me to make a dog that's on my list!