At The Pets Larder, we believe every dog deserves a life full of purpose, adventure, and connection. That belief is rooted in our co-founder, Andy Larder, whose journey with animals — particularly Siberian Huskies.
You might know Andy as a friendly face from our team, or as someone always up for a chat about nutrition, chews, or canine enrichment. But behind the scenes, Andy’s story is one of resilience, passion, and a deep love for both his family and his pack.
Andy’s life is anything but quiet. He’s a father of eight — four boys and four girls — ranging from a one-year-old toddler to grown-up children chasing creative dreams. His eldest daughter is a tattooist, his eldest son is a musician, and the whole family has grown up surrounded by dogs, mud, chaos, and laughter.
“Raising the dogs and raising the kids — it was full-on. Controlled chaos. Most of my training was squeezed in around the school run, work, and making sure the house didn’t fall apart.”
Among his many dogs over the years, one of his husky pups even went on to become Keyush the Stunt Dog, the YouTube sensation with a worldwide fanbase. And in case you’ve come across The Living Sherpa on YouTube — that’s Andy’s brother-in-law.
It’s all part of a life that’s been anything but ordinary.
Andy’s relationship with Siberian Huskies began more than a decade ago. He didn’t just own them — he bred and trained his own pack while living on the moors of Nancledra, Cornwall. The rugged landscape offered the perfect setting to nurture a team of intelligent, high-energy dogs.
“They were all a bit naughty,” Andy laughs. “But they were mine. They were a pack.”
He’s always been clear that huskies aren’t for everyone. “They’re working dogs. Purposeful. They need structure and stimulation. You’ve got to know what you’re doing — and be willing to learn from them, too.”
His first proper mushing setup came from a second-hand scooter he bought locally. From there, his passion for dryland mushing grew — working with dogs on trails by scooter or bike, without the need for snow.
One snowy Christmas, he even built a homemade sled and helped his neighbours tow their Christmas tree up the drive. Only later did he find out they were related to Sir Wally Herbert, the famed Arctic explorer.
“It felt full circle — like I was part of something ancient and meaningful.”
Andy’s deeper connection to mushing came when he discovered the Iditarod and the story of the 1925 Serum Run — a relay of dog sled teams delivering life-saving medicine through the harsh Alaskan wilderness. He began diving into the history, the handlers, the bloodlines — and suddenly, it all clicked.
“I’d had huskies for years and never really made the connection. Then I realised — I was living with working dogs built for this. It was right in front of me.”
He’d always felt something stirring from his childhood. The only fictional book he’s ever read is White Fang, which he devoured in primary school. “That story stuck with me — about survival, trust, the bond between man and dog.”
Andy’s outlook on dry land mushing is grounded in empathy, structure, and joy.
“You’re the leader of the pack — not in a dominant way, but as a protector. You train positively, you plan ahead, and you work as a team. It’s about flow and understanding.”
He believes working dogs, especially high-energy breeds like Huskies, deserve outlets that align with their nature.
“Some of these dogs could run over 100 miles a day and burn 10,000 calories. That’s their happy place. They need purpose.”
And mushing doesn’t have to be extreme. Even low-energy options like scootering with one dog can offer deep fulfilment for both dog and owner — something Andy hopes more people will discover.
From championship kite surfing to paragliding, Andy has always embraced challenge. After suffering an exploded spinal fracture to T11 in a paragliding accident, he had to learn to walk again. Yet within months, he was back on the board — and went on to win another kitesurfing championship.
That spirit — of perseverance, leadership, and humility — shapes everything he does at The Pets Larder. Whether he’s talking dog nutrition or fitting a harness, Andy brings the same focus and care to helping others understand and support their dogs in a more meaningful way.
“Dogs live up to what we give them. If we give them the space to be who they truly are — they’ll take us further than we ever expected.”
Behind the scenes, there’s a pack leader, a father of eight, an adventurer, and a man who’s devoted his life to bringing out the best in the dogs — and people — around him.
TEDDY Talks was created by Katy Peck, a passionate dog advocate with years of hands-on experience in behaviour, training, and nutrition. As the co-founder of one of Cornwall’s busiest dog day care centres, Katy helped care for up to 80 dogs a day, learning first-hand what makes dogs feel calm, confident, and understood.
In 2018, she brought that knowledge into the world of natural nutrition by opening a pet shop focused on healthy, wholesome choices — supporting thousands of customers with thoughtful advice, honest information, and a personal touch.
TEDDY Talks is the natural next step: a way to take everything we’ve shared in person and make it available to every dog lover, everywhere. These free downloads and training tools are built from real experience, not just theory — and grounded in kindness, patience, and the belief that when we understand why, we can teach how.
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