Dayandra Elrod opened the Good Boy Collective pet store in Vancouver in 2019.Thuy Nguyen/Supplied
At Vancouver dog emporium Good Boy Collective, owner Dayandra Elrod takes a modern and ethical approach to caring for our four-legged friends. With a previous career in the fashion industry where she worked with independent boutiques and small brands, Elrod decided to use her knowledge of ethical production and local retailing and apply it to pets. “I’ve always been super passionate about dogs,” she says. “One day I had this light bulb moment and thought maybe I can take my career in fashion and my love for dogs and make it one big, happy thing.”
In 2017, Elrod started a small e-commerce business in her living room, sourcing unique dog items she’d discovered online. Following some successful pop-up shops, in 2019 Elrod opened a permanent physical retail space. “It’s such a wonderful location on Main Street in Vancouver,” she says. Inside, dogs and their owners will find a bright, plant-filled space that has more in common with a chic fashion boutique than a big box pet shop. “I took the inspiration from the feeling I get when I go into my favourite small boutiques and tried to translate that into a pet version,” Elrod says.
Product wise, Elrod focuses on sourcing local, ethically made food and accessories with major design appeal. “Aesthetically speaking, especially if you’re into fashion or into design or are trying to have an aesthetically pleasing home, it is really hard to find stuff that’s nice looking for dogs.” At Good Boy, even the most discerning of pups will have their tails wagging.
Good Boy Collective, 3633 Main St., Vancouver, 604-873-5500, shopgoodboy.com.
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Wild One Triangle Tug, $30
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Bowsers Wrangler Pet Bed, from $188
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Ellie Dog Raincoat, $68
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