Major Darling began the way many good things do—by trying to solve a very real, very daily problem. Walking, training, and living with dogs (especially the complicated, sensitive, strong-willed, or wonderfully weird ones) revealed how much thoughtful design actually matters. The right piece of gear can change a moment. It can create calm, build confidence, and make it easier to do right by the dog at the end of your leash.
So we started making the things we wished existed: gear that feels good to use, holds up to real life, and supports the relationship between dogs and their people.
Major Darling is a small studio brand based in Austin, Texas, creating thoughtfully made dog gear designed for everyday use. Everything we make is shaped by real experience with dogs—in shelters, in training spaces, and in ordinary homes where the relationship between a person and a dog is always evolving.
That perspective shows up in quiet, practical decisions:
• hardware you can trust when things get chaotic
• materials tough enough for daily use
• forms that sit comfortably on the body
• systems that keep rewards and tools within reach when timing matters
Because good design shouldn’t just look nice.
It should make life with your dog feel more possible.
Our sewn goods are produced locally in small batches through a long-standing partnership with the Refugee Collective, a nonprofit social enterprise creating meaningful employment for women rebuilding their lives in Austin. Supporting dignified, fairly paid work has been part of Major Darling from the beginning and remains central to how we think about making things—with care, intention, and long-term sustainability in mind.
Our apothecary line is created in partnership with Benjamin Soap Company, a fellow small maker committed to gentle, plant-based ingredients and thoughtful production. Together, we craft everyday care products designed to support calm routines, clean coats, and the wellbeing of furry darlings and the people who love them.
We also give back through rescue partnerships—donating gear, supporting nonprofit organizations, and featuring adoptable dogs in our work to help them find homes.
The name comes from the complicated, beautiful relationship we share with dogs.
They protect us, support us, and love us unconditionally.
They watch over our homes, warn us of danger, and stand beside us no matter what.
And at the same time, they are sensitive, soulful beings who need care, patience, and tenderness. They want belly rubs, one more game of fetch, and nothing more than to stay close to the people they love.
Our dogs are not just pets.
They are family.
They are our lives, our loves—our darlings.
Everything we design—from collars and leashes to modular walking gear, treat pouches, and calming care products—is meant to support real life with dogs.
Not perfection.
Not performance.
Just the ongoing relationship between a human and an animal learning how to move through the world together.
If your dog is easy, we’re happy for you.
If your dog is a work in progress, you’re in good company.
Laura founded Major Darling to create products with real meaning—designed with care, intention, and connection between the people who make them and the people who use them.
With a background in product and furniture design (MFA, SCAD) and a lifelong obsession with dogs, her work lives at the intersection of thoughtful design and real-world behavior. After welcoming her first “perfectly imperfect” challenge pup, she began volunteering with the behavior team at Austin Pets Alive! and continues working with complex dogs and teaching classes.
She focuses on the small details—materials, construction, teamwork, and the challenge of making locally produced goods that can stand alongside mass manufacturing. She shares her home with two dogs and the occasional foster, and designs every Major Darling product with real life in mind.
Donna keeps Major Darling running day to day—handling fulfillment, answering customer emails, and making sure every order feels personal and cared for.
Known for her warmth and kindness, she takes real pride in helping customers feel confident and happy with their gear. She has been part of the team for over a year and a half and is rarely far from her pug, Ruby, who fully believes she is in charge.
Erin focuses on social media, content, and creative support across Major Darling. She brings a quirky sense of humor and a sharp eye for storytelling—especially when helping long-stay or harder-to-adopt dogs show their true personalities.
Her work connects the heart of Major Darling to the wider community, celebrating the dogs who need a little extra time, understanding, and visibility.