Quality Collars and Leads

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 Cairn Terriers.

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.

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. In general, the fabric collars are more for fashion, and aren't as appropriate for large breeds that pull. Although, we do carry a nice quality line of fabric collars on www.designerdogavenue.com. 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.

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!