Our Story

Why Hairy Barry?

Hairy Barry was born from love, concern, and a deep sense of responsibility. My dog Barry—an energetic Siberian Husky and Border Collie mix—is more than a pet; he’s family. Like many dog parents, I wanted to give him toys that were fun, durable, and most importantly, safe. But as I researched more, I was alarmed by what I found.

Everyday people were testing dog toys from big-box retailers and discovering high levels of lead and phthalates—chemicals known to be harmful. Shockingly, there are no federal regulations requiring safety testing for dog toys in the United States. That realization lit a fire in me.

I created Hairy Barry to change that. Our mission is to make safe, high-quality plush dog toys that are free from harmful chemicals and made with the same care we’d expect for children's toys. Every toy is inspired by Barry himself, designed to bring joy to dogs and peace of mind to pet parents.

Hairy Barry isn’t just a brand—it’s a promise for our best friends.

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Hairy Barry the Dog playing with a when pigs fly-shaped dog toy on grass

Our Vision

To make tails wag and hearts happy with dog toys that are as safe as they are fun—no sketchy stuff, just squeaky-clean fun for pups and peace of mind for their humans.

Safety First

Tested Materials

At Hairy Barry, every toy starts with one non-negotiable: safety. I personally test samples of all toy materials through certified third-party labs to ensure they are free from lead, phthalates, and other harmful chemicals. Since there are no federal regulations for dog toy safety, I go the extra mile—because your dog deserves the same level of care and protection as any member of the family.
Double Sewn & Lined

Hairy Barry toys are made to withstand serious play. Every toy is double-sewn and double-lined to boost durability and help prevent rips, tears, or stuffing explosions. Whether it’s a tug, toss, or cuddle session, our reinforced stitching gives your pup more playtime.
No Hidden Hazards

At Hairy Barry, we believe dog toys should be just as safe on the inside as they are fun on the outside. That’s why we carefully inspect our designs to avoid odd contraptions, loose parts, or heaps of tangled thread inside each toy. Every toy is thoughtfully constructed to reduce choking hazards and prevent internal messes—so playtime stays safe, simple, and clean.

Our Timeline

2021

Researching Dog Toy Safety
I dove deep into researching dog toy safety after discovering alarming reports of toxic chemicals in popular pet toys. What I found was shocking—many toys contained lead, phthalates, and other harmful materials, with no federal regulations to stop it.
2022

Creating Hairy Barry
We officially filed our LLC and immediately began sourcing factories and collaborating with dog toy designers to bring our product line to life.
2023

Our First Shipment
Our first shipment arrived from China, and we were beyond excited to see our vision come to life. We promptly sent samples to a certified U.S. lab for thorough testing of phthalates and lead. Once the results confirmed our toys were safe, we proudly moved forward with launching sales.
2024

Community Outreach
Beginning in 2024, we expanded our community outreach by actively participating in local events. Highlights include attending the Nebraska Humane Society Fundraiser, joining the City of Omaha’s Doggy Barket, and donating toys for the Omaha Corgi Crew’s Corgi Race. These efforts reflect our commitment to supporting animal welfare and engaging with fellow dog lovers in our community.
2025

Ramping Up!
In 2025, we ramped things up in a big way! We launched a refreshed, user-friendly website, expanded our sales to additional platforms, and were proud to see a growing base of loyal, returning customers. We also explored new factory partnerships to support the development of our next line of innovative dog toys.
2026

Moving Forward
We're excited to continue expanding and moving forward in the year 2026!

Meet Our Play Testers

Our play testers put every one of our toy designs through real-life play—tugging, tossing, squeaking, pulling, and snuggling—so we can feel confident sending it home with your pup.

Barry

Barry is a Siberian Husky / Border Collie Mix. He was adopted from the Nebraska Humane Society. A true toy fanatic, Barry always has a toy within paw’s reach—even when he sleeps. His fave toy is When Pigs Fly.

Tucker

Tucker is a playful Golden Retriever with endless energy and a serious love for fetch. His fave toy is the Panda.

Black and white dog with a red collar sitting on a wooden floor.

Boz

Boz is a lively Siberian Husky and Pitbull mix rescued from Fort Worth, Texas through Dolly's Rescue in Lincoln, Nebraska. With boundless energy and a love for play, he’s always zooming around or happily chewing on his favorite toys — the Lil Ted and Lil Monkey.

Max

Max is a fun-loving Golden Retriever and the ultimate fetch champion—he’ll keep going long after you’re ready to call it quits. His favorite toy? The Big Ted, which he proudly carries everywhere between games.

Forever in our memories

Ted

Ted was a beloved Golden Retriever and the original Hairy Barry toy tester, proudly leading the pack with his love for toys—especially anything he could fetch. He passed away shortly after Hairy Barry began, but his playful spirit lives on. Ted wasn’t just a tester; he was the boss of the backyard.

TESTED BY REAL DOGS & MADE FOR REAL PLAY TESTED BY REAL DOGS & MADE FOR REAL PLAY TESTED BY REAL DOGS & MADE FOR REAL PLAY TESTED BY REAL DOGS & MADE FOR REAL PLAY TESTED BY REAL DOGS & MADE FOR REAL PLAY TESTED BY REAL DOGS & MADE FOR REAL PLAY TESTED BY REAL DOGS & MADE FOR REAL PLAY