We are Amber and Reuben Lara, a husband and wife team. As president of our corporation, Barkshire Dog Trading Co., we are proud to be counted among the every growing number of women-owned businesses. We started vending at local events in the Summer of 2023 and we launched our online retail store shortly thereafter.
All design work, fine art printing, apparel embroidery and screen printing takes place in Berkshire County, MA. Our luxe, organic-cotton dog bandanas are crafted in Dutchess County, NY.
We make stuff for people who love dogs! We’ve mashed up our love of dogs, vintage art and living in the Berkshires into a premium, feel-good lifestyle brand offering eco-friendly apparel, dog bandanas, gifts and custom art. Our company name is based on a long-beloved term used by dog lovers over the years to describe our dog-friendly Berkshire County as “The Barkshires”.
Additionally, we do our best to select products and packaging that are sustainably and ethically sourced. We donate $1 to a local animal shelter for every t-shirt sold. We donate to the Berkshire Humane Society in Pittsfield, MA and also PupStarz, NYC. There are so many animals in need, especially following the pandemic. It’s the least we can do to support!
In addition to our apparel being made from planet-friendly materials, the designs that appear on our shirts, hats, totes and art prints are original artwork by talented cofounder, Reuben Lara. Reuben cut his teeth in the industry working at the prop department in Universal Studios, CA. He has been working as a free lance illustrator, designer and animator for the past 25 years under Reuben Lara Graphic Design.
Co-founder and artist in residence, Reuben, is Mexican American, another minority we are proud to represent as a business. As a shout-out to the hard working men and women in our local hospitality industry that come from Hispanic roots, we’ve designed a Spanish graphic tee entitled, “Saborea los Barkshires” or “Taste the Barkshires”. Reuben finds time between heavy-hitting clients such as the McArthur Foundation and Walt Disney World Epcot Center among others in order to give time to this “pet” project, Barkshire Dog Trading Co, which we enjoy running together.
Watch Reuben in action creating this sketch of Diablo, HERE!
We are passionate about designing for all body types, whether they be human or canine. We offer extended t-shirt sizing to 4XL. We scale our print designs to make sure that a pleasing proportion is achieved on all sizes.
Our dog bandanas range from teacup breed size to extra-large breeds such as Great Pyrenees and Saint Bernards. I mean, how many dog bandanas do you see that come in an XS-Petite?? Haha. We are snobs when it comes to making sure our products fit well!
Watch the care that goes into packing each shipment, HERE!
You can currently find our fine art giclée prints and our organic cotton dog bandanas at BerkCHEERS gift boutique in Stockbridge, MA.
And, yes! We would be happy to accommodate Copake Hillsdale Farmers Market shoppers with call ahead ordering and/or returns. Feel free to reach out to us via email at info@barkshiredog.com or call us at (413) 842-6368. And remember, our online store ships nationwide at $5.95 flat rate shipping or for free on orders over $100. Visit barkshiredog.com for more details.
You have to feel our shirts to believe how soft and sturdy they are! We tested dozens of sustainable t-shirts and these are the best of the best. It’s hard to convey over the internet, though our reviews help spread the news. Please swing by to check them out in person the next time you see us at the farmers market!
Also, you may have seen Reuben sketching digital pet caricatures at our tent at the Copake Hillsdale Farmers Market. But, did you know the we also offer a variety of custom pet art on our website? We offer pet portraits by three different local artist, two based in Berkshire County, MA and the other in Dutchess County, NY.
Artist: Eric Lake (oil on hardboard)
Visit barkshiredog.com/art for more details.
