OUR STORY
For more than 25 years, Wagwear has been creating thoughtfully designed products for dogs and the people who love them. Founded in New York City in 1998 by Amy Harlow, the brand combines fashion, function, and everyday practicality—from signature carriers and utility-inspired accessories to the original WagWellies dog boots. Dog products should be as thoughtfully designed as the products people buy for themselves.
1996: WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
When Amy Harlow adopted six-week-old twin Shiba Inus Lucy and Tonto, she quickly discovered that finding well-designed products for dogs wasn't easy. After studying at Parsons School of Design and spending a decade working in the fashion industry, Amy saw an opportunity to bring the same attention to design, materials, and functionality to the pet world.
What began as a search for better products for her own dogs became the foundation for Wagwear, a brand built on the belief that dog products deserve the same level of design, quality, and consideration as the products people buy for themselves.
1998: BUILDING THE COLLECTION
Founded in 1998, Wagwear introduced a collection of carriers, coats, collars, leashes, and accessories inspired by classic American sportswear and outdoor gear. Lucy and Tonto frequently appeared in early catalogs, helping define the brand's aesthetic from the very beginning.
The goal was simple: create products that were functional enough for everyday use, yet timeless enough to feel at home in any setting.
2006: FIRST NEW YORK CITY, THEN BEYOND
In 2006, Amy opened Wagwear's first flagship store in the heart of Greenwich Village. The store became a destination for dog owners seeking products that balanced style, utility, and quality craftsmanship.
More than a retail space, it allowed the Wagwear collection—and the lifestyle behind it—to come to life in one of New York City's most iconic neighborhoods.
2017: WOODSTOCK & WAGWELLIES
After moving to Woodstock, New York in 2017, Amy found inspiration in a new environment and a new generation of dogs. Edison and Daisy became companions, product testers, and the inspiration behind many of Wagwear’s newest ideas.
It was here that Amy developed WagWellies, which would become Wagwear's most iconic product. Designed to protect dogs from hot pavement, snow, ice, salt, and rough terrain, the boots introduced a new generation of dog owners to the brand while staying true to the same principles that inspired Wagwear from the beginning.
TODAY:
Today, Wagwear continues to design products that help dogs and their people explore the world together. While the collection has evolved from carriers and outerwear to WagWellies and beyond, the philosophy remains unchanged: thoughtful design, practical function, and products made for real life with dogs.
“It’s what I would wear if I were a dog.”