Hi there,
Living in rural southwest France means muddy walks, hot summers, long woodland adventures and plenty of opportunities to chase things that really shouldn't be chased!
🐾 Over the past few years, my dog Romy, a berger picard, has developed some very definite opinions about what makes life better. These are her everyday essentials - for comfort, travel, play - that have genuinely earned their place at our French farmhouse.
Alethea x
🐾 🐾 🐾 This page will grow as Romy discovers new favourites, so do pop back from time to time. Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you decide to buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that Romy and I genuinely use and love. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.🐾 🐾 🐾
Comfort
The first bed I ever bought Miss Romy, and one she certainly grew in to, haha! Still her favourite : ) This bagel bed is by Bessie & Barnie, a US brand - super easy to wash, just unzip the top cover - and if they did them for humans, I’d get one!
Comfort
This Knuffelwuff waterproof bed lives on the terrace and Romy plants herself on it frequently for Summer snoozes.
It’s also a handy toy collection zone : )
Travel
This is a hondenfiestkar - the Dutch name for a dog bike carrier. It easily attaches to the back of your bike so you can take your dog on longer adventures without becoming too tired or overheated.
It’s also great when they’re puppies, like here, in stroller-mode, for safe, pre-vaccination exploration and socialisation trips to ‘see the world’!
Travel
Romy is a well-travelled hound - and one of the best pieces of dog travel kit I’ve ever bought is this non-spill dog water bowl. (In image, just behind the sleeping hound!) It has a central sieve-like floating cover which allows her to drink but stops water splashing all over the car.
Travel
These Dog Copenhagen harnesses are the only ones we’ve ever used. Available in a range of colours, they’re comfy, padded - but not too hot - and, of course, very stylish!
Romy now wears a size L.
Travel
Possibly quite a niche one - a reflective dog vest - but essential in the French countryside during hunting season ‘Chasse’ if you don’t want your furry dog to be mistaken for a boar.
Play
This sheep remains her favourite comforter-toy. As a puppy she would fall asleep with it, and as an adult she uses it as a morning soother - interestingly, she has never, ever, chewed or destroyed it.
It’s her blankie : )))
Play
The sloth (!) is another firm favourite, often presented at evening playtime for a gentle game of tug of war.
Play
Fetch! Another great soft toy, a duck with quacker! Found all over the garden, as she runs off with it quacking 😃
Play
Dog frisbee - pretty indestructible, we’ve had this one for three years, and with helpful nose holes for easy fetch.
Play
Supposedly an indestructible dog ball - well, almost - this one lasted four years, which is pretty good. The best part is ‘no bits’ fall off and are accidentally ingested like with a normal football.
Health
This inflatable dog collar is certainly not Miss Romy’s wardrobe favourite - but, it’s definitely a better option than the bulky ‘cone-of-shame’ provided by the vet when you need to prevent your dog licking an injury.
Home
While not technically a ‘dog’ item - this aluminium chain fly screen was purchased for easy dog access. Previous attempts at door flyscreens were in tatters on day one!
Health
Romy tolerates her baths, but loves being squeaky clean once they’re over! With her patience levels not high, I’ve found this Aloe Vera Shampoo doubles as both shampoo and conditioner (meaning quicker bath-times!) - it leaves her hair soft, helps with tangles and smells lovely.
Health
This dog bathrobe is the best!! Soft towelling, easy velcro wraparound fastening - and IMO, very stylish!
Health
Lined up on the bathroom shelf, I’d inadvertently used this on my own hair for about a month before realising 🤦♀ So I can attest it’s great for de-tangling human AND dog hair! Perfect for dog’s with hair rather than fur, like Miss Romy, a Berger Picard.
🐾🏡 🌿 🛠️ Other essentials?
Other A&A Recommends you may like:
💇♀️ As a former beauty PR, now living in southwest France, and a long-time French pharmacy skincare fan, I thought I’d share my favourites with you here. These are the products I use and happily recommend - My French Pharmacy Favourites.
🏡 The tools, gadgets and everyday essentials I use here: from renovation tools and gardening kit to mosquito repellents, outdoor living and practical countryside finds.
My ShopMy Collection includes details of other items I love and use here, as well as Seasonal Collections and the occasional ‘on my radar’ wishlist : ) :
At Home in France - all the designs and products I use at our French farmhouse (Interiors / Kitchen, Table & Entertaining / Terrace & Garden / Fabrics & Linen / At my Desk / Rural French Life Essentials / Appliances & Sanitaryware.
Including my essential seasonal ‘uniform’ with the items I wear and use on repeat (My A/W/F Wardrobe Essentials / My S/S Wardrobe Essentials / My Travel Essentials)
Plus curated seasonal collections (French Countryside Style for A/W ‘26)
Wishlist Collections - these feature items on my radar that I’ve bookmarked for home, fashion and seasonal events, such as Christmas. Great for some curated inspiration : )
NB: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Not all links are affiliate, but some are. Affiliate links simply mean that I may receive commission on any purchases made through it..
If you’d like to follow our adventures, there’s also more on instagram: @domainelesplonges
📸 Abrizia - hoping it survives the heat this time…
📸 Hum…
Post-shower someone decided to roll, and someone else had a fun hour removing linden seeds 🤦♀ Ps: this is the current state of our ‘lawn’!
📸 Lavender & happy 🐝
…the buzzing sound is incredible!
📸 Dog-tv…
The ‘tee-tor’ (nephew no.1’s word!) got a bit boring…
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