Dogged determination: Dora’s Delights
A fussy poodle was the trigger for starting an all-natural, hand-crafted dog treat business specialising in big dogs and tough chewers.
It all began with a fussy poodle named Dora and a batch of homemade dried liver treats. Dora’s owner, Tracy Loomes, a dog groomer of 20 years, was simply trying to please her picky eater, until her brother urged her to turn her treats into a business. “If you don’t do something with this, I will,” he told her.
Dora’s Delights was born. The focus of the business is unique, nutritious options for big dogs and tough chewers – Great Danes, Rottweilers, Staffies – often overlooked by mainstream brands. “We offer cow’s legs, pigs’ testicles, cows’ legs… treats no one else does,” Tracy says.
Other canine favourites include pork pizzles, deer antlers, and spleen jerky, the latter handmade using ingredients sourced straight from an Ashburton abattoir with nothing else added.
“You’ll often find me elbow-deep in blood and guts,” Tracy laughs, “but I’m passionate about giving dogs treats that are natural, digestible, and close to what they’d eat in the wild. There are too many dog treats out there that are bad for dogs, like raw hide that can cause blockages in the animal’s intestines.”
Tracy sells her all-natural dog treats online and at markets. Dora, sadly, is no longer around, so the chief taste tester is now Wilson, her American Staffordshire Terrier, her most motivated and enthusiastic worker.
