Dogue Dog Food is a San Francisco-based company founded by Rahmi Massarweh and Alejandra Vasquez in 2010. The founders started the business after adopting their first dog, an Old English Mastiff named Grizzly. As trained chefs and food professionals, Massarweh and Vasquez wanted to feed Grizzly the healthiest and highest quality food possible. This led them to begin crafting small-batch, artisanal fresh food for Grizzly by hand using whole, natural ingredients.
In 2015, after years of perfecting recipes and processes for making fresh dog food, Dogue Dog Food officially launched to offer fresh, seasonal dog food and treats to clients in the San Francisco area. The company operates a storefront on Fillmore Street where they produce and sell their dog food products. Customers can also order Dogue’s dog food online and have it shipped.
Dogue’s dog food philosophy centers around feeding pets fresh, whole foods that are in season and as close to their natural state as possible. Their recipes are crafted using pasture-raised, grass-fed meats, organic produce, and ethically sourced wild game meats when available. As carnivores, dogs thrive when eating diets high in quality animal proteins. Dogue aims to honor a dog’s biology and create nutritionally balanced meals from ingredients they would naturally eat in the wild.
The fresh food at Dogue is minimally processed to preserve nutrients. It contains no fillers, preservatives or other toxic ingredients commonly found in commercial pet foods. Dogue claims their fresh food can provide a variety of health benefits including improved energy and vitality, better digestion, relief from food sensitivities, better weight management, and healthier skin and coats.
One unique aspect of Dogue’s offerings is their “Pawtisserie” – a selection of dog-friendly pastries and treats. These baked goods are specially formulated to be healthy snacks for dogs using wholesome ingredients like almond flour, coconut oil, turmeric, and cocoa powder. The Pawtisserie menu changes seasonally.
In addition to their retail shop and online store, Dogue also offers fully customized meal plans for dogs with specialized dietary needs. Their bespoke plans are tailored to a dog’s age, weight, activity level, and any food sensitivities or allergies. Each meal is portioned specifically for the individual dog. This takes the guesswork out of meal time for busy pet parents.
Monday through Friday, Dogue is a Fresh Food Shop. On Sundays, Dogue turns into Bone Appétit Cafe, a restaurant for dogs.
The name Dogue is a play on the French word for Mastiff, paying homage to the founders’ first Mastiff Grizzly who inspired the business. It also demonstrates Rahmi Massarweh’s classical French culinary training and seasonally inspired cooking techniques. Dogue aims to extend the lives of as many dogs as possible by reimagining pet food and feeding one fresh, seasonal meal at a time.
