quality dog collars and leads

Why purchase a good quality Dog Collar?
It is important to purchase a quality collar for your dog or puppy for a couple purposes. The obvious reason is to attach a lead in order to train, or control your dog or puppy and keep them safe. A collar should be made of a strong material such as leather, nylon, or backed fabrics which provide durability and strength. Poor quality plastic buckles have been known to break. I’ve also experienced narrow cheaply made collars, breaking where the D ring is attached with very little tugging by my small dogs.

Another important reason to purchase a quality collar is for ID tag attachment. In case your dog were ever lost, an ID tag with your name, address, and phone number would assist in quickly returning your dog to you.

On a side note, in addition to ID tags, I strongly recommend micro chipping your dog or puppy. Micro chipping is often done by breeders, or you may take your dog or puppy to a licensed veterinarian for micro chip implantation. Inserted like a vaccination under the skin, the micro chip number is forever linked, through a database, to the dog’s owner so it may be quickly returned if lost or stolen.

How Do I know a quality collar from a poor-quality one?
It is not always easy to recognize quality made collars, harnesses, and leads. Price is not always an indicator. Leather and Nylon are the most durable, and some better made vinyl or backed ribbon collars are fashionable and durable. The hardware and stitching can be the difference in quality versus non-quality. For plastic quick release buckles, if the buckle bends, it will break with a dog tugging on it. Other better made collars have hardware such as brass or nickel plated. Collars that are stitched rather than glued increases durability. For crystals or embellishments, if they are riveted through the collar, they are more durable. When in doubt, skip a seeming bargain and go to your favorite store for name brand collars. You will usually get what you pay for. When comparing a $20 online auction special that breaks the first time you use it (it happened to me!), it’s a high price when you can shop at reputable stores for quality designer collars, leads, and harnesses.

How should a collar fit my dog or puppy?
You should easily be able to slip two fingers under a properly fit collar. Any looser and it may slip off, and any tighter may cause discomfort or injury. Some leathers will stretch, and puppies grow quickly. So be sure to check the fit of your dog’s collar frequently. With any collar around a dog or puppy’s neck, there is risk of strangulation if a lead was left on them and they jumped from a high surface, or if their collar was caught. Always be aware of this risk, and take preventative care when leaving collars on. Harnesses are ideal for small or toy dog breeds that have fragile tracheas. Cats are most safe wearing collars with safety bands. As cats jump on and around things, they are more likely to get their collar hung up.

The best part about collars is the wide variety of colors, styles, and fashion! What fun it is to choose coordinating ensembles, and to dress up your best friend in irresistibly fashionable designer collars, leads, and harnesses!