We put out a call for articles for our Etsy Pets series, and who else do you turn to but the Dog Mafia Team? This group of Etsy sellers mean business. Baddabing.

The Etsy Dog Mafia Team is a group of artists and Etsy sellers who specialize in handmade items for dogs and the people who love them. In the mob, dogs aren’t just pets — they’re family!

The Dog Mafia is only a pup: it was started a little less than a year ago by art4milkbones. “I wanted a team with a common bond to network and support each other. A place where the crazy dog people could go to talk about their dogs, Etsy, marketing and all that.”

Mob members span from Florida to Alaska — that's a lot of neighborhoods going to the dogs!

In March the team challenged each other to create an irregular dog (aka a not so perfect dog) for their shop. Mob members have a soft spot for rescue dogs and they used this challenge to donate part of their sales to their favorite dog charities and rescues. “Our team challenges are a fun way to promote Etsy and our team," said Dog Mafia member FrumsGlassMenagerie. "The Irregular Dogs challenge recognized the imperfections and disabilities of many dogs. Our Dog Mafia creations touched the heart of anyone who has adopted a dog.”

In April, the Mafia’s members banded together to donate money to the ASPCA through sales in Etsy shops. For one day many shops gave $1.00 per sale to the organization.

The Dog Mafia is a violence free group, the kind that leaves the gun and takes the, um, biscuit. In some cases, that biscuit is shaped like a rock lobster: just ask member Organidog.

You would be hard pressed to find something the Dog Mafia doesn’t sell. They have members who make jewelry, home decorations, portraits, eco-friendly products, treats and the list goes on.

Does your dog need a party dress? The mob's got it. Does he need a place to hang his leash? Got that, too. A handmade super cool new toy? Yup, you guessed it. They got your back.

As a cuteness bonus, many shops feature their own pets as models, and some dogs have become quite PUPular and are actually getting fan mail. LuckyFiona, an English setter, went from being a rescue dog to having a successful business named after her.


The Dog Mafia is always looking for new members to join the family in its efforts to make the world a more dog friendly place. You can check out our team page or blog for more information.

It has been said that in a perfect world every dog has a home and every home has a dog. We at the Mafia stand behind that 100%! Now get off your computer and go play with the dog who loves you!

For more "mug shots," check out the Dog Mafia's flickr pool and blog.