DogWire is a small, privately owned company that creates and sells original dog breed, mutt, rescue, and dog lover designs on quality apparel and gift items through the Internet. It is our goal to deliver fun and creative products that celebrate each unique dog lover's interests and personalities.
The Dog Lover Herself
Owner, shopkeeper, graphic designer, web developer...you name it, Shannon's probably behind it. Shannon Steffen is the dog-owned woman behind DogWire. Shannon currently resides in Wisconsin with her husband and two Chocolate Labrador Retrievers. She works full-time as a web developer and graphic designer for her own company and continues to do web design for non-profit organizations, as well as author freelance dog life, health, training, and behavior articles for online publications.
Shannon began graphic design and web development in 1995, while attending Hofstra University. Although it was then that she began to use the computer as her artistic medium, she had been in many art exhibit competitions for water color, abstract mediums, and pottery since the 3rd grade.
Although she had dogs growing up, the love of dogs began to take heart after bringing home her first 8-week old puppy after moving away from her childhood home. It was an 8 lbs. Chocolate Lab, named Dakota, with the saddest eyes and most beautiful face that would melt any heart. One was not enough, and after 11 months, Cheyenne was brought home.
Company History
It began with Shannon's love of graphic design and passion for pups. The first design was actually of her own Labrador Retriever licking its lips at 9-weeks old with a caption that read "Got Chocolate?". The scope and versatility dog breeds and need to raise rescue awareness quickly led itself to more ideas and a versatile dog silhouettes that were easy to create.
Fall 2005 - The first dog graphic design was created for purchase: "Got Chocolate?" and was sold at her first online store called 8PawsUp.com.
Spring 2006 - Requests began to flood in from other dog breed owners and the first "Sporting Group" designs were rolled out..
Summer 2006 - DogWireGifts.com was officially born.
Fall 2006 - Shannon began to realize the need for dog rescue and shelter support and awareness. DogWire began donating 10% of its profits to a various dog rescues across the United States. Its Labrador Retriever store, 8PawsUp, began donating 10% of its profits to a different U.S. Labrador Retriever rescue group monthly.
DogWire Today
DogWire continues to grow in popularity and the design collection is constantly expanding with Shannon's ideas as well as suggestions from customers, friends, & family.
DogWire Stats 'n' Facts
- DogWire currently offers over 160 dog breeds, 1,300 designs, and thousands of unique dog gift items.
- DogWire has sold merchandise to customers in all 50 states online. International sales online include: Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Taiwan, Turkey, and more!.
