Conversations with Sandra Dominguez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandra Dominguez.

Hi Sandra, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The Houndsmith began in 2020 as a tribute. After losing my father in 2016, I taught myself hand-stamping to create memorial pieces for my family. This healing hobby soon evolved into ‘The Stamping Paws,’ where I began making custom dog tags and accessories for the local LA pop up market scene.

As my passion grew, I rebranded to The Houndsmith to reflect our expansion into a full line of artisan dog gear—from hand-sewn bandanas to personalized ‘Dog Mom’ gifts. In 2023, my husband and I took the rebrand to the next level by restoring a rusty vintage horse trailer into the Houndsmith Barktique. Today, we’re proud to bring our boutique-on-wheels to dog lovers across Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a bumpy road. There have been days where I’d pack up from a market without making sales, wondering if I was doing the right thing.

I’ve had to learn everything from scratch—from the technical side of running a website to the literal nuts and bolts of restoring an old trailer. It’s been a massive learning curve, and I’ve had to wear every hat in the business. But every quiet market and every tech headache taught me something new. I’m still learning, but I’m getting better and more confident every day.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in handcrafted, adventure-ready dog gear. I’m probably best known for my hand-stamped ID tags—I physically hammer every letter into the metal. The funny dog tags are definitely my best sellers.

What really sets us apart, though, is the Houndsmith Barktique. We personally restored a vintage horse trailer and turned it into a mobile boutique, which lets us bring an interactive shopping experience to the dog community at markets all over SoCal.

I’m most proud of the fact that we’ve grown from a small memorial project into a full brand that uses high-quality materials people recognize, like BioThane (which is totally waterproof and stink-proof). We’re a family-run business that gives back to local rescues.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is connection and quality. I put intention and heart into everything I make.

Unlike mass-produced gear, my items are handmade with real attention to detail. I love that my gear strengthens the bond between dogs and their owners, and it’s just as important to me to give back to the community—which is why we regularly donate to local rescues to help pups still looking for their forever homes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thehoundsmith.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/the.houndsmith
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehoundsmith1/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHoundsmith
• Other: https://tiktok.com/@the.houndsmith