Dog Collars
by Nandita Ray
Dog collars can be fashioned out of plastic, nylon, steel, brass, PVC, leather, cloth, suede, it can be hand painted or embroidered, machine made or hand crafted. Stones, crystals, rhinestones, pearls, glass beads and metal studs can be attached on them. They come in various sizes and prices. Choose a collar depending on your pet. Collars for a stroll, jogging, partying or just plain merry making, choose collars with care since not all collars are sturdy or meant for boisterous activity. Collars should show and not get hidden. Ergo collars also depend on the breed of your pet and its demeanor. Collars for ‘ladies/girls’ or for ‘the stud’ is often differentiated and available.
History
The Dog collar is the most basic item required for the dog. It is the first item one usually gets for his pet. A collar helps in attaching a leash, hanging an ID tag, taking it for a walk, or to the vet or just being plain decorative. It is a collar worn by dogs resembling a necklace. It is modeled on the choker which was very popular during the Edwardian period and is said to have been introduced by Princess Alexandra who wore a broad band of pearls and diamonds to hide a scar on her neck. It should sit snugly around your pet’s neck and should not hang freely. It should have hooks to attach a leash and rings to hang the Tags. Apart from looking smart and trendy it should be functional.
The history of dog collars began in Holland in 1797, when the state started imposing dog taxes and issuing dog collars. Most European countries are known to have issued collars and collected taxes in 1800’s. Leeds Castle Dog Collar Museum houses 100’s of dog collars from the 17th and 18th centuries made from velvet and leather.
Types of Dog Collar:
Dog collars can be fashioned out of plastic, nylon, steel, brass, PVC, leather, cloth, suede, it can be hand painted or embroidered, machine made or hand crafted. Stones, crystals, rhinestones, pearls, glass beads and metal studs can be attached on them. They come in various sizes and prices. Choose a collar depending on your pet. Collars for a stroll, jogging, partying or just plain merry making, choose collars with care since not all collars are sturdy or meant for boisterous activity. Collars should show and not get hidden. Ergo collars also depend on the breed of your pet and its demeanor. Collars for ‘ladies/girls’ or for ‘the stud’ is often differentiated and available.
There are many different types of dog collars for different functions apart from the basic collar, called the Buckle or flat collars. They are used to hand ID tags. The Flea collar which is to be used along with basic collar has a chemical filled in it which keeps the fleas away. The Training collar is used to control and train the dog to obey and follow directions. Choke chains or collars, limited choke collars, prong collars, the Electronic collar, No Bark collar, Head collar are the training collars. Depending on the size and behavior of the dog the collars are used.
The Magnetic collar is a must for old dogs suffering from arthritis. There are designer collars too with fancy trimmings, decorations and jewels all assembled to make your pet feel special! A fancy dog collar enhances the style and beauty of your favorite friend. Plenty of styles, colors and materials to choose from are constructed.
The studded jeweled collars are made from toughened leather and studded with studs. It is for the tough looking dog in your life! Double lined with suede, brass and nickel hearts along with a heart ID purse is an attractive collar. Also available are horse and bone designs. Sprinkled along the flat belt like collar meant for the strong masculine look! Spiked leather super stud dog collar is popular. Different styles and color combination available with 3 rows of rounded studs on 2″ wide leather and 2″ D ring for leash with buckle style sturdy steel clasp. Colors in burgundy and black or green and blue or just a splash of red, a single tone, are also striking.
Spiked and jeweled leather collar, 2″ wide and 1/2″ thick 2 ply becomes sturdy for the strong and boisterous dog. Decorated with alternating steel spikes and colored stones in red/blue/green combination is another choice. Spiked or stud collars are useful for an aging friend as it keeps unwarranted dogs at bay at the park or a get together!
Austrian crystal jeweled collars which come in two, three or five rows of hand set crystals in different hues and are meant for party wear. Colors available are pink, blue and green, yellow, purple in single tone or in rainbow colors. This is not meant for the active dog or those with long hair.
The Italian Leather Collar in Fruit Punch pink or red leather is adorned by black dog bones or dainty scallop pattern for small sized dogs. Matching leads also available. Go for the Pink Lizard pattern leather collar with rhinestone buckle. Genuine Swarovski crystals used on these and are double stitched with premium threads and reinforced at stress points. Simple and smart they come in pink, blue and green colors. Leather collars made from the finest Italian leather in metallic shades of blue and pink with traditional metal hardware is hardy. Elvis American Eagle Collar in Viva Las Vegas style in honor of the Rock’n’Roll star in white patent leather with shining rhinestones and the official TCB logo medallion is great! The Retro Look Collars sporting a comic inspired design with classic black and white checker board backing is cute and trendy. Whale of fortune collars fashioned in Kelly green whales in pink or navy background is preppy! Not to miss the Wonder Stripes, brilliant diagonal stripes in 3 different vibrant color combinations. Carousel which has orange, green, brown and blue or the Tilt a whirl in pink, white green and brown whereas the Rainbow has vivid blue, green, violet, red and yellow. Another popular design is the Cubic design which has Crayon with navy, red, green and yellow or the Highlighter in hot pink, green, orange and blue.
Hand beaded Dog collars are a work of art. Made from top quality rolled leather beaded by hand, oblong in shape with color combination of your choice can be ordered. Have some ornamental metallic bows or water hydrants fixed at intervals in brass or nickel. Get the collars in double tone or single color. Beads in multi colors set in designs to enhance the beauty of your pet in turquoise and lime or orange and pink colors make a bold statement. Spring Beaded Kenyan Dog Collar is hand sewn by Masaii women at home (Kenya) in ‘one of a kind’ original design, hand sewn on leather. Overlay of leather glued and stitched at the back. Multi colors Swiss Mountain dog leather collar worn for ages by herding breeds in Alps, the traditional Cow Bell collar is available in bright red color. They are made of leather 1.25″wide soft yet sturdy and decorated with Brass Alpine cows with brass hardware.
Canvas collars in bright colors and sprinkled with daisies or paw prints or in candy stripe in pink, navy, lavender were a hit in 2003. They are crisp and sturdy and come with gold hard ware and a bone charm. The Bow Wow Bow collars are constructed well, stylish and soft made from strong nylon in vibrant colors and design. A striking design is the black and white polka dots on red also the lemon melon polka dots in yellow and pink is pretty. Collars in grosgrain adorned with beautiful black and white daisies or hot pink and red daisies with matching leash and hair clip. A complete set for partying!
Chiffon collars are the collars resembling scrunchies called Festive collars. Made from softest fabrics in colors to catch your eyes and trimmed with sequins or beads, they sit comfortably around your pet’s neck. Colors are Christmas bell, gold and black, daisy rainbow, garnet and many more. The jingle bell collar is perfect for the festive season made from nylon with bells and stars and brass hardware in red or green. The Bob Marley Rasta dog collar for the feel of sand and island with Jamaican style, machine washable in bright colors from will match your going sailing look! For the Safari Chic go in for fabulous animal prints in bold colors like tan cheetah with hot pink and black or white zebra in black and turquoise. For the Big Boy All American Look go stars and stripes or the broad leather with cow boy with spikes or easy biker look to match your passion chains and studs or flying bald eagle. The classic black and white collar for an official engagement from is simple. While some dog collar has back to school look with collegiate stripes made from grosgrain ribbon complete with a shield charm. Comes with a quick connect buckle in myriad colors.
Japanese collars and leads in traditional Japanese fabric patterns from ‘Geta’ sandal straps. Manufactured from factory for belts, they are hand made with adjuster fasteners to fit your pet’s neckline. Patterns available are floral design in pink, yellow and purple and cherry blossoms in red, pink and blue or the dragon in dark red, pale purple, and moss green. There are other designs to choose from like the gold fish, or the oriental zodiac calendar which was very popular last year because it was the year of the rabbit.
Party collars are made with rows of rhinestones or Swarovski crystals with dangling beads. Collars in gorgeous leather flowers and sparkling Austrian crystals is handcrafted and decorated with an alluring flower and Swarovski crystals which can be riveted by hand. Make you pet stand out with just white pearl choker or collar with tasseled edging or go for the neon look collars that glow in the dark or a PVC collar with flashing lights. This is battery operated and lasts for twenty hours. Jogging time get your pet a watch collar in dark colors, quartz battery operated. Some stores offer Boa collars which are funky and in bright pink, orange, yellow and blue colors. Collars with the antique touch, filigreed center piece with a solitaire gemstone in the color of your choice.
The famous Martingale collars in cotton print, Jacquard, preppy stripes and dots, silk Brocades, vintage, woven, novelty Jacquards. They are made from premium cast i.e. welded hardware and the buckle is made from rock lockster and this is used for very large dogs only. Those in classic brown and gold or burgundy and gold are excellent. They are hand cut flexible web base wrapped in coordinating or contrasting satin. The hardware is in solid brass.
Get Valentine day specials for your pet. Collars made from gold metallic ribbon or suede in an array of colors which won’t bleed since they are well treated. The colors are accentuated with white stitching for added style and to keep the strap in place are two suede keepers. The colors green, red, pink, blue, orange are further enhanced by adding another color to it. kiwi lime, raspberry pink, green hot cocoa colors look chic
Get personalized dog collars. Custom needle point embroidery with the dog’s name is hand washable. Whereas waterproof collars are easy to maintain and are strong yet soft to feel. They are covered with polyurethane and made from polyester and nickel plated hardware. They remain flexible even in sub zero temperatures. The icing on the cake is the top designer collars like the Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Burberry Dog Collars are also available. Using the same Louis Vuitton print and fabric or Burberry traditional prints low cost collars are quite a natty buy.
These are some of the collar designs available today. Likewise here today gone tomorrow. Nothing lasts forever. So browse and check the latest trends and designs before you set your dog’s heart on yesterday’s product!
More Information
Although there are items of jewelry for the male baby such as chains, rings and buttons in countries like India, the focus of the baby jewelry industry in predominantly on the female baby. The ideal time for the mother to venture into any kind of jewelry would be after the first couple of years. Prior to that age, jewelry could be a dangerous proposition – earrings could snag in clothing, chains could strangle and rings could be swallowed.