How did you get into dogs and what lifestyle do you associate you with them? 

A: The first of the five dogs who live with me today was Sonja, a Cockapoo. We deliberately chose this breed because my son is allergic to many other dogs. Later, Sonja had six puppies. Three found wonderful new homes, three stayed with us, and suddenly there were four of them. Ruby, a Cavapoo, was the last to join us. A customer had originally bought her for her seven-year-old daughter but found she was too much to manage, so we adopted Ruby. Today, I have five dogs living with me.

My dogs are my shadows. Of course, I can’t always take all five of them with me, but there’s almost always at least one by my side, whether at the shop, in a café or at a restaurant. We generally choose places where dogs are welcome. When we travel by car, as many come along as will fit. When I fly, it’s usually just Ruby, because she’s the only one small enough to fit in a carrier that meets airline requirements.

Q: How often do you talk to your dog and about what (fashion, style...)?

A: I talk to them all the time. In the morning, I tell them what we’re doing that day, where we’re going, which dog is coming with me, when we’re going to the shop, who will be stopping by and when we’ll be going home again. Before I close the shop, I also explain what the rest of the day has in store. The best part is that they never answer back, but they always listen very attentively.

Q: What are your favourite restaurants, bars, cafes and parks to visit with your dog?

A: We prefer to go to places where we already know the people genuinely like dogs. Often, they’ll even bring out a little treat from the kitchen, a piece of meat or something else tasty, and of course water is always brought straight away. Some of our favourite places include Valberg and Alexandra Bar Aperitivo. In the end, though, it’s not really the place that matters to me, but the people who work there. We go to people who know us and are always happy to welcome us and the dogs.

Q: Which dog habits do you prefer to keep under wraps and what do you insist on?

A: All five dogs sleep in my bed, on white bed linen, which naturally gets changed quite often because I love fresh white sheets too. And I have another little secret: whenever I’m alone with one of my dogs, I tell them that they’re the most beautiful, cleverest and very best dog in the world. Of course, I say this to each of them, but only when it’s just the two of us.

When it comes to their diet and training, however, I’m very consistent. Both are extremely important to me. Sonja took her role as the shop’s guard dog a little too seriously. As far as she was concerned, no one should be allowed to take anything out of the shop, not even something they had bought. So she doesn’t work at the shop anymore. She’s a housewife now.

Q: Do you travel with your dog and where do you prefer to go? And what should not be missing?

A: We try to take a trip to the woods almost every weekend, sometimes around Vienna and sometimes further afield in Austria. We’ll spend two or three hours walking together. When we go on holiday, we prefer to rent a house so there’s enough room for everyone. We always bring the dogs’ own beds with us so they have the familiar scent of home. And if there’s a pool, Sonja is especially happy because she loves the water.

Q: What do you value in dog accessories? 

A: When it comes to dog accessories, quality, comfort and functionality are especially important to me. I prefer high-quality, natural materials and avoid plastic and synthetic fabrics wherever possible. Leads, carabiners and all the hardware should also be very lightweight because when you’re holding five leads in one hand, every gram makes a difference.

Of course, style matters too. I choose accessories to complement what I’m wearing. I also really like supporting local makers and small manufacturers. I would much rather buy something that has been carefully made nearby than anonymous mass-produced goods that have travelled halfway around the world. For me, it has to be practical, high-quality and beautiful.

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ABOUT SVETLANA UNTERREINER

At 16, after finishing school, I moved from Belarus to Austria to live with my sister Anna. I was very lucky that she was already living here at the time. Shortly afterwards, I met my husband, the love of my life. Today, we have four children and five dogs. When I look back on my life, I’m grateful every day for how everything has turned out.

That good fortune also gave me the opportunity to pursue my dream career. I’m a qualified gemologist, specialising in exclusive gemstones and diamonds. For more than 20 years, I have run my own jewellery shop with great passion.

Austria has long since become home to me. I’m grateful to be able to run my own business here and spend every day doing what I love.