The Valgray community is growing fast and we’re loving hearing from all you paw-some parents and fabulous fur kids, so we thought it only fitting that all the new faces around here might like to get to know a little about us too.
So, get comfy, because we’re about to introduce the family that founded it all and find out why a little piece of our heart and soul goes into each and every Valgray designer dog accessory. We’ll bare our souls about where it all began and spill the tea on where the Valgray brand is going. So, without further ado, let us jump right in!
WHO IS BEHIND THE BIZZ?
ABOUT MARCO & RHODÉ
We are a husband and wife team that have been together for over a decade. We both have experience in the design and creative industry, with our skills ranging from architectural and jewellery design to advertising, branding, and creative design.
We’ve always made an excellent team, we just never thought we would venture outside of our respective fields. But both of us grew up with a variety of doggos and other pets, so our passion for animals has really been with us all our lives.
The hardest part of our journey was leaving behind our professional careers to focus full time on Valgray as a startup. Fortunately, it turned out to be one of the most rewarding decisions we have made, and we would not change it for the world.
Merging our passion for dogs and design expertise made perfect sense! We are immensely proud of our local designer brand and our luxury products, and we do not doubt for a second that we are exactly where we need to be.
WHO ARE THE PAWS POWERING THE EMPIRE?
MEET JUNO!
Our fur baby, Juno, is a true madam who thinks she’s a human. (We’re sure you know what we’re talking about!) Juno shares the couch with mom and dad and loves watching TV. She’s always included in activities, like walks on the beach and going for a bite to eat at our favourite local restaurants, because Juno is a family member!
As a Chinese Shar-Pei, Juno has the cutest little face, an abundance of wrinkles and a little curly piglet tail. She absolutely loves running. In fact, Juno has to run everywhere she goes and has only one setting - full speed ahead!
From the beginning, we knew Juno was special - and we wanted to give her something striking and different from the usual collar and leash options available in South Africa. We did a lot of research and could not find anything that really suited our lifestyle. So we thought, why not start our own designer range?
We ended up incorporating our passion for Juno and all doggos with our years of design, advertising and marketing to create what you now know as Valgray for Dogs.
WHY WE CHOSE PVC-COATED NYLON FOR VALGRAY PRODUCTS
After much research and testing, we selected the highest sports-grade PVC-coated nylon webbing for our designer collections.
Collar straps and leashes made of PVC-coated nylon are tear-resistant due to the woven nylon web-like core of the material. Nylon coated in PVC has a smooth finish, is latex-free, and is 100% fur-friendly. Plus, it does not irritate skin or cause hair loss. Basically, a perfect solution for fur kids with sensitive skin and allergies!
PVC-coated nylon is also odour-resistant, really easy to clean, 100% cruelty-free and available in a range of beautiful colours making colour combinations and design options truly endless.
But the thing that really sets Valgray apart is that we give you more than just expertly designed premium pet accessories. Valgray is more than just collars and leashes - it is a lifestyle, a luxurious, designer one at that!
We offer our customers a way to spend time with their four-legged family members in a fun, fashionable, and most importantly, practical way. We make effortlessly stylish pieces so that your pup can truly live their best life and look fabulous while doing so.
HOW VALGRAY GIVES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
As obsessed animal-lovers, helping furry friends in need is a priority for us. We really love getting involved in various charities, and we are extremely proud of how much we have accomplished so far.
Most recently, Valgray collaborated with Documinute to sponsor a documentary to raise awareness about Woodrock Animal Rescue Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. We donated cash and sponsored R20,000 towards making the documentary.
What’s more, we filmed 26 adorable pups at Woodrock Animal Rescue Centre that needed homes and featured them on our Facebook and Instagram accounts. Our mission was to create awareness about Woodrock Animal Rescue Centre and encourage adoption. Those pooches deserve a loving, forever home... And a designer Valgray collar (free of charge, obvs!). So, we pledged to gift personalised collars and name tags to each pooch adopted from Woodrock Animal Rescue Centre during the festive period.
We’ve also donated essential dog food and blankets to F.A.L.L.E.N. Angels Pet Rescue through our charity initiative Project Cuddles & Crunchies to help all the wonderful doggies get through the cold, winter months. Of course, we followed up with designer collar and leash sets for dogs being adopted from F.A.L.L.E.N. Angels Pet Rescue so they could step out in the style they deserve!
Watch our blog and social media accounts for more news on our charity drives.
WHERE IS VALGRAY HEADED?
Currently, we are growing our colour range to offer as many unique colour combinations in as many collar sizes as possible. We already have our range of colours planned and our offering will grow as we do. We are excited to see how you and your doggies will respond to our new gorgeous colour selections.
In the next 5 years, we envision Valgray with a much bigger global community as we focus on growing the Valgray™ lifestyle brand both locally and abroad.
HEAD ON OVER TO ONE OF OUR STOCKISTS AND JOIN OUR VALGRAY FAMILY!
For now, our premium products are available directly from our online store, Takealot, Avo, Pet Heaven and Pets Planet SA. And when you order through our website, you’ll get free engraving on your dog tags too!
We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know us a little better. We are super excited to continue our journey with the pet community. The love we pet parents have for our doggos is incredible - and Valgray is honoured to help you spoil the royal paws in your life!
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Valgray for Dogs
When you shop with Valgray you're not just selecting a brand, you're also a part of the Valgray family and embracing a lifestyle centred around animal welfare, supreme comfort, and impeccable fashion. Our dog collars and accessories are locally produced to radiate elegance and cosiness, ensuring that your furry companion is not only the most stylish but also the happiest pup around.
We recognize that our customers consider their dogs as family members, which is why we design our dog products with emphasis on quality, style, and comfort. To learn more about our exceptional products, browse our online store or reach out to the Valgray team. We're eager to chat with you and share our fashionable products!
Sign Up for our newsletter for heartwarming stories, exciting articles and news regarding our furry loved ones! Remember to connect with us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with all the latest Valgray news, happenings and fun!
Love love love the story of your family and journey. Being a fur mama myself to a mini maltese
Cooper Lyon, and a designer as well, I absolutely share these sentiments and makes my heart really happy when I see passion unfold into reality like this. Cant wait to see new and exciting things for Valgray.
Peter van den Berg
June 01, 2021
It is great to put faces to the brand and learn more about your story and journey. Coco our beagle loves her collar and looking forward to seeing the range expand
Maintaining your dog's hygiene is crucial for their health. Regular grooming prevents skin infections, parasites, and other health issues. DIY dog washing is cost-effective, strengthens bonding, and offers flexibility. Essential supplies include dog shampoo, brushes, and towels. For a thorough clean, follow steps to wet, shampoo, rinse, and dry your dog. Professional dog washing services offer expertise, high-quality products, and comprehensive care packages. Choose between DIY and professional services based on cost, time, quality of care, and your dog's comfort. Prioritize your pet's well-being for a happy, healthy dog.
Teaching a dog to stop pulling on a leash involves understanding the cause, using a well-fitting harness, and consistent training with positive reinforcement. Start in a calm environment, gradually introduce distractions, and seek professional help if needed. Regular practice and patience will ensure enjoyable walks. In this article we take you through some of the steps to help you get your dog to stop pulling on lead.
Winter poses significant challenges for dogs, making it crucial to keep them warm and healthy. By taking proactive measures, owners can ensure their pets remain comfortable throughout the cold months. Here are ten effective strategies to keep your dog warm in winter:
Create a Warm Environment: Ensure your dog has a heated, insulated indoor space and consider safe indoor heating options like space heaters or heating pads. If your dog spends time outside, provide a well-insulated dog house with proper insulation and dry bedding.
Dress Your Dog for Winter: Use winter clothing like sweaters, coats, and booties to help retain body heat and protect against cold conditions. Choose breathable, water-resistant materials and ensure a proper fit. A Valgray dog snood is great for helping to keep them warm in moderately cold conditions.
Adjust Diet and Nutrition: Increase caloric intake to help maintain body heat. Incorporate high-quality proteins, healthy fats, and supplements like fish oil to support overall health while maintaining a balanced diet.
Provide Comfortable Bedding: Use insulated, cushioned beds, and add fleece or thermal blankets for extra warmth. Place the bed in a warm, draft-free area.
Practice Safe Exercise: Adjust exercise routines to include indoor activities and shorter, more frequent outdoor walks. Dress your dog appropriately for cold weather.
Regular Health Check-ups: Schedule regular veterinary check-ups to monitor your dog's health and address any winter-specific issues like arthritis or respiratory infections.
Use Pet-Friendly Heating Devices: Utilize electric blankets, heated pads, or microwaveable heat packs to provide consistent warmth during very cold times. Ensure safety features like automatic shut-offs and avoid direct contact with your dog’s skin.
Monitor Your Dog’s Condition: Watch for signs of cold stress such as shivering, lethargy, and seeking warmth. Address any signs of discomfort or health issues promptly.
Proper Grooming: Keep your dog’s coat well-groomed to maintain its insulating properties. Avoid shaving your dog’s fur during winter to retain natural warmth.
Ensure Adequate Hydration: Make sure your dog has access to fresh, unfrozen water to stay hydrated, which is essential for maintaining body temperature and overall health.
By following these tips as needed, you can ensure your dog stays warm, healthy, and comfortable during the winter months.
Valgray is one of the few brands that caters for all dog sizes. From our extra-small collars for the truly tiny pooch to the extra-large collars for giant breeds, we go the extra mile to make sure your fur-babies can put their best paw forward.
It’s important to measure your pup’s neck to make sure your new collar will fit comfortably. Remember to include some space around the neck for your pooch’s safety and comfort. As a rule of thumb, you should be able to fit two or three fingers between the neck and collar.
Once you have your doggo’s measurements, check our sizing guide below for the best collar size.
DON'T HAVE A TAPE MEASURE?
No problem! You can use a variety of household items to safely measure your dog’s neck. See our guide here.
Don’t have a tape measure lying around? No problem! To learn how to measure your dog's neck safely with various household items, click here.
PERSONAL CUSTOMISATION
We try our best to cater to every breed, but some doggos might need a little extra at-home customisation to achieve the perfect fit. Making adjustments to our soft, PVC-coated nylon straps at home is easy. Simply use a standard leather punching tool to add additional holes, or use a utility knife to trim the length of your collar.
nicky
June 30, 2021
Love love love the story of your family and journey. Being a fur mama myself to a mini maltese
Cooper Lyon, and a designer as well, I absolutely share these sentiments and makes my heart really happy when I see passion unfold into reality like this. Cant wait to see new and exciting things for Valgray.