Millie & Ralph Review: When Your Dog Chews Through Everything But Your Principles
Let me start with a confession: I bought from Millie & Ralph because my 3-year-old Jack Russell, Nugget, is a furry tornado of destruction. After he annihilated his sixth Amazon Basics leash in two months, my British friend insisted I try this ‘posh UK brand’ she saw on Instagram. Two weeks and £47 later, here’s what happened…
The Story: From Skeptic to Convert
How I Found It During a 2AM doomscroll after Nugget ate my AirPods (again), I stumbled upon Millie & Ralph’s TikTok ad featuring a Golden Retriever happily gnawing what looked like a recycled firehose. The comments section was split between raving UK pet parents and skeptical Americans asking, ‘But does it ship overseas?’
Why I Bought Three words: Hemp. Rope. Leash. Specifically, their Ultimate Adventure Lead made from ‘British-sourced hemp’ – which sounded either incredibly sustainable or suspiciously like hipster bait.
First Impressions Ordered Monday night, arrived Friday morning (to New York!) in compostable cornstarch packaging that Nugget tried to eat. The leash felt like a hybrid between climbing gear and a yoga mat – sturdy but surprisingly flexible. Came with a handwritten note and 10% off code shaped like a dog biscuit (which Nugget also tried to eat).
Real-Life Usage Week 1: Survived tug-of-war sessions with a dog who thinks ‘drop it’ is a suggestion. Month 3: Outlasted a squirrel chase that snapped two previous leashes. Month 6: Now lives permanently attached to our hiking backpack, slightly faded but zero fraying.
The Experience: Tea-Drinking Brits Know Durability
Daily Use Cases
- 7:30 AM: Withstands Nugget’s ‘I need to pee NOW’ zoomies
- Weekends: Doubles as a tie-down for picnic blankets (approved by my British husband)
- Unexpected: Became our go-to rope for:
- Securing Christmas trees
- DIY agility courses
- That one time I MacGyvered a broken suitcase zipper at JFK
Notable Moments
- When a Central Park dog walker offered me $60 for the leash mid-walk
- Discovering their EcoBall floats in water (ideal for river hikes)
- Realizing British sizing runs small – their ‘large’ coat fit Nugget like a crop top
Unexpected Findings
- Customer Service: They replied to my 3AM email in 17 minutes (time zone difference FTW)
- Community: Secret Facebook group for customers with 20+ product photos
- Easter Eggs: Packaging includes planting instructions for wildflower seed paper tags
Long-Term Thoughts After 8 months:
- Still Intact: Leash, 2 toys, waste bag holder
- Retired: The ‘natural’ dental stick (great concept, Nugget preferred the taste of my baseboards)
- Regrets: Not buying their subscription box sooner
Let’s Break It Down
Pros
- Apocalypse-Level Durability – Their products laugh in the face of shark puppies
- Actual Sustainability – No greenwashing here; even the ink is soy-based
- UK Quirkiness – Where else can you buy a tweed dog bandana?
- Shipping Wizardry – Faster to NYC than some Chewy orders
- Secret Sales – Their ‘Last Chance’ section is cheaper than TJ Maxx
- Resale Value – Used items sell on eBay for 70% of retail
Cons
- Price Shock – £25 for a poop bag holder?! (Okay, it’s lasted 2 years but still)
- Sizing Roulette – Chart says ‘measure your dog’s neck’ – have you met Nugget?
- Limited Stock – Popular items sell out faster than Taylor Swift tickets
Workarounds:
- Use their AR size guide for clothing
- Sign up for restock alerts (worth the inbox clutter)
- Buy during UK holiday sales (Boxing Day >>> Black Friday)
Real Talk: Who Should Actually Buy This
Perfect For:
- Eco-warriors who compost
- Outdoorsy types needing adventure-proof gear
- Design snobs wanting Insta-worthy accessories
- Gifters tired of squeaky toy clichés
Works Best When:
- You need gear that transitions from city walks to mountain trails
- Your dog mistakes furniture for chew toys
- You want to avoid ‘fast fashion’ pet products
Creative Uses:
- Their treat pouch doubles as a wine carrier (tested)
- Biodegradable poo bags make great mini trash bags
- Bandanas → holiday gift wrap
Money-Saving Tips:
- Bundle orders to hit £50 for free shipping
- Refer friends for £10 credit (DM me for my link 😉)
- Buy discontinued colors at 30% off
Hacks:
- Soak hemp toys in broth for next-level engagement
- Use code ‘YANKEE10’ for 10% off (still works as of 2023)
- Email them for custom color requests
The Bottom Line
Overall Experience: 4.8/5 – Knocked off 0.2 for the dental stick debacle
Value Assessment:
- Cheapskates: Stick to Dollar Tree leashes
- Long-Term Savers: Costs less than replacing 6 Amazon leashes/year
Recommendations:
- Must-Buy: Adventure Lead
- Skip: Bamboo collars (beautiful but stiff)
- Surprise Hit: Organic paw balm
Final Thoughts: Millie & Ralph is the Patagonia of pet gear – pricey but principled. While not perfect, it’s transformed how I shop for Nugget. As he happily gnaws their ‘indestructible’ rope toy beside me (…still intact), I’ll leave you with this: Sometimes paying extra means never having to say, ‘Damn it, he ate another harness.’
Update: After this review, Millie & Ralph did NOT send me free products (but Nugget remains hopeful).
What Our Users Say
- Easy to order service.Easy to order service.Good quality bab… ★5
- They were delightedI ordered a gift to be sent to the parent… ★5
- Beautiful baby’s clothes and arrived…Beautiful baby’s clothe… ★5
- Baby girl clothing Great products, quick delivery. I am sure… ★5
- Beautiful outfit for tiny babyBeautiful outfit for tiny baby… ★5
References
[1] Millie & Ralph Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of …
[2] Millie & Ralph Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of …
[3] How to Build a Skincare Routine | The Ordinary
[4] Millie & Ralph Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of …
[5] Millie & Ralph Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of …
[6] Millie & Ralph Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of …
[7] Millie & Ralph Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of …
[8] Millie & Ralph Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of …
[9] Millie & Ralph Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of …
[10] What’s In Your Changing Bag? | Millie & Ralph - millieandralph.co.uk
[11] Gift Guide – Millie & Ralph
[12] Gift Guide – Page 2 – Millie & Ralph - millieandralph.co.uk
[13] Millie & Ralph - Boutique Baby Clothes | Knitted Baby Clothes