Maison Caniche: Behind the Brand

Woman with a small poodle kissing her faceBonjour et bienvenue à Maison Caniche
My name’s Harri (Harriet, but nobody calls me that unless I’m in trouble), founder of Maison Caniche and dog mum to Dilly, my bonkers little toy poodle.

I’m a millennial dog mum who’s basically bankrolling her pup’s lavish lifestyle, all while sitting here with holes in my socks and a skincare routine in dire need of an upgrade. But I choose to hold off - Dilly deserves the royal lifestyle!

That’s exactly why I founded Maison Caniche.

The WHY behind Maison Caniche
I was growing tired (and poor!) from endless hunting down beautiful, quality goods for Dilly, often ordering from all corners of the world just to get the right things.

Of course, there are stunning pet brands here in the UK and I have so much love for them. But I couldn’t find a single space that brought the very best together something thoughtfully curated, elegant and just…easier.

As a picky dog mum, I prioritise:

  • Quality
  • Interactivity

  • Aesthetics

Little luxuries that make Dilly’s life (and mine) feel special.

But I kept running into the same three types of shopping experiences:

  1. Mass-market: Think Amazon or Pets At Home. You can get some great finds at both, but I wanted that little extra je ne sais quoi.
  2. Niche independent shops: Don't get me wrong, I'm a big supporter of independent shops. My challenge was that they would hyper-specialise in dog-wear, toys, or grooming tools specifically - it was hard to find somewhere that curated the best of these beautiful products in one place. 
  3. Designer brands: Gorgeous pieces but often with a price tag that made my eyes water.     

I knew I couldn't be the only dog mum out there struggling to find the best for her dog in one place in the UK. And that also felt a little more personalised, special, curated. 

So voilà, Maison Caniche was born. A calm and thoughtful destination for dog mums like me, built on values I hold dear: quality, care, luxury and joy.

Woman kissing a small beige poodle on the head indoors.

The Name
Maison Caniche (pronounced may-zon can-neesh) translates to House of Poodle in French. No surprises that the inspiration behind it was my very own curly-haired bean - Dilly herself.

Meet Dilly
Dilly likes:

  • Soft meaty treats! Her absolute favourites - no meaty, no eaty in her eyes.
  • Interactive snuffle toys - she’s a gentle little thing, even during zoomies.
  • Belly rubs - a classic. How is her belly so soft and smooth?!

Dilly dislikes:

  • Plastic bags. Whether they’re blowing down the street in the wind or tied to someone’s bike seat, she’ll start growling. An eco-conscious girly, clearly.
  • Fruit and veg. Just no.

Small beige poodle sitting on a fluffy pillow on a brown leather sofa.

A bit about me:
I like:

  • Travelling - yes, Dilly comes too!
  • Languages - nerd alert. You may have already seen some French-infusion…
  • Coffee - I take mine black: no frills, no fanciness. I leave that to Dilly!

I dislike:

  • Meat or fish - veggie over here!
  • Early mornings - I think I'm allergic...

Woman walking a poodle on a beach promenade at sunset

What to expect in the MC blog
This blog will be a mix of:

  • Dog wellbeing tips
  • Travel with dogs
  • Seasonal guides
  • New finds that meet our standards (whether we stock them or not)
  • A bit of fun

I’d love for this to become a space not only to share my thoughts, but to also connect, share and celebrate the little luxuries of pup life with other dog mums.

Merci & join us
If you’ve made it this far in our very first post: honestly, a huge merci. It means the world that you’re here. Follow along our small business journey by signing up to our newsletter via our website and via Instagram (@maisoncanicheuk). See you soon!

Two poodles facing each other with hearts on their tails on a dark green background

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