Dog collars

[Dekka]

For leather quality I haven't seen anything as nice as smudge's collar from Ella's lead (and this is coming from a horse person who likes high quality leather goods)

Everyone will have their fave collar company, but when it comes to leather quality it will depend a bit from collar colour to leather type.

My guys have ella's leads collars. I have seen some paco collars IRL and they are very nice, but I don't think they are any nicer than the leather in Ella's leads collars so for the money I will stick to Ella's lead.

Plus Ben and Becca are fantastic -lol we invaded their home and saw the magic leather working shop So I got to touch a lot of their leather and was highly impressed.

 

[Fran101]

I really like super simple leather collars. I am planning on getting a bold lead multi purpose lead at one point and will hopefully also be getting on their collars

Also, super random.. but my moms bichon has a Coach collar. Costs a pretty penny and he's a bichon who gets groomed every 2 weeks and hates to get wet/dirty and doesn't really do much but the collar looks amazing after 3 years, which is impressive
a really pretty simple option

It's such a pretty collar! Might not work everyday for more rough and tumble dogs but it's really spiffy!

 

[CatStina]

Also, super random.. but my moms bichon has a Coach collar. Costs a pretty penny and he's a bichon who gets groomed every 2 weeks and hates to get wet/dirty and doesn't really do much but the collar looks amazing after 3 years, which is impressive
a really pretty simple option

We have a customer with a Pit Bull. He was rescued off the streets, had barely any fur when he was found, had a severe flea and tick infestation and had swollen elbows from spending his life sleeping on concrete. He was adopted by a wealthy couple with 3 children and a stay at home mom. He now has a Coach collar. It always makes me smile when he walks in, knowing his life has been so drastically transformed.

 

[monkeys23]

Paco
I was one of those who said I'd never get Paco products because of the price. I finally had to see what all the fuss was about and got myself an Over the Shoulder Rover Holder (multi-functional lead)... every step of the way I have just been blown away not only by their customer service (and this was a very straightforward order!), but the quality of this leash just blew everything else I own out of the water. Its so super soft and easy on my hands. Its also done fine with an excited sled dog hooked to each end of it, which I'd say is a pretty good durability test.
I will be getting more leashes and some collars in the future. I'll have to save for a long time, but I've been convinced that its well worth it.

Ella's Lead
I have 2 rope slip leads, one leather leash, and two leather collars from EL. Oh and a safety attachment I've used once to jerry rig a coupler. Its served me very well. Scout's leather collar is starting to show quite a bit of wear, but any collar Scout wears does that after a while and we've had this one 2yrs. I had to send Lily's in to get the suede lining replaced and that was fine. They've always been good with customer service.

Master's Pride
I got rolled leather collars for the girls and I can't rave enough about them! Love!!!!

Cheap and durable:
www.gundogsupply.com
www.stillwaterkennelsupply.com

 

[SarahMichelle]

http://collarshop.org/

I ordered from the collar shop last year and I was/am very happy with both the product and the service. The collar is strong and sturdy. Even after being washed a couple times. The service was awesome as well. I was actually at the bottom of a wait list but after I told her that Bentleys birthday was coming up she moved me up and sent a birthday note with the collar for Bentley. It came the day before his birthday but a week earlier then it would have been. I will be ordering another collar from here in the future.

http://www.kennedyskustomkollarkreations.com/

I know the owner of KKKK and got one of her collars as a gift for doing something for her. I like it. Its strong and has stood up to my old foster dog trying to drag Bentley around by it with only a few cuts to show for it. Even though its strong its not as sturdy as I would like. I have a martangle and the part that pulls close gets twisted a lot and that bugs me a little. Over all its a good collar and I would get another just not a martangle.

 

[Red Chrome]

I am a collar addict. So here is my recommendations and experiences with each place I have ordered from.

Cali Girl Collars- I have numerous collars from them and HIGHLY recommend this company for collars. Very well made and amazing customer service. Their collars are hands down high quality especially when compared to some other collar companies.

Paco Collars- I have numerous collars from them and they are ALL extremely well made. I've never had a bad collar from them and have always had the BEST experience ordering from them. They are another company I HIGHLY recommend. Very high quality and amazing customer service especially when compared to other collar companies.

Collar Shop- Again another company that I recommend for collars. The owner has awesome customer service and her products are amazing. I HIGHLY recommend her and her company. Always the best experience and her collars hold up extremely well.

*The 3 companies above have all made me collars that have been used in agitation work and I have never had one break or come apart.

CollarMania-I have a ton of collars from this company. The owner is nice and easy to work with. Always had good experiences when ordering collars from her and the collars have always been exactly what I wanted. However, I will never order another collar from her again, nothing to do with her quality of collars, but due to personal issues with the owner.

Ella's Lead- I have 1 of their collars that I bought used from someone else. It was like brand new when I bought it. The collar did not stand up to basic walking, the rivets actually fell out and the spots started falling out the day I received it in the mail. Again, it was bought USED but I expect an almost new collar to withstand some use. I did buy a few leads from them brand new but they were LACKING seriously in quality and the rope was supposed to be soft when in fact it was horribly hard and not usable due to this. The leash had extremely light use and the hardware turned the rope green. I did send an email to the company stating it wasn't what I wanted and was unhappy and received a very unprofessional response. I will NOT order from them nor recommend them due to my experiences as well as obvious poor business practices in other areas.

Bridgeport Equipment- This is where I order most of my leashes and rolled leather collars from as well as herm Sprenger prongs and FurSAvers. I HIGHLY recommend them and love their fast shipping and wonderful customer service as well as their awesome products. They are extremely easy to work with!

White Pine does have wonderful collars and I love my limited slips from them!
Lupine products are also nice for everyday getting dirty collars.

These are my HOENST reviews of companies that I have had experiences with them directly or their products.

 

[sassafras]

I have had good experiences with Collarmania, but that style of collar just isn't what I need anymore so I haven't ordered from there in awhile.

Alpine Outfitters has some nice, very inexpensive but durable plain limited slips and other "not fancy" collars that I've been very happy with. They're only something like four or five dollars a pop.

I've had nothing but great experiences with Ella's Lead. I have leather and vegan collars and I haven't had any problems with them and have always had good service from them. I have a rope service/police-style lead from them that I absolutely adore and use all the time for canicross that I've had for at least a couple of years.

I've recently ordered some leather leads from Karma Collars that I absolutely love. One has a built-in backup, it has two braided ends/snaps off the front. The other is another service/police-style lead that I am just in love with for canicross and will probably get another. I've been window shopping their collars, too, but I haven't really been able to justify the expense so far.

For cheap, plain collars and leads, strapworks.com is pretty basic and inexpensive. I haven't had any problems with their stuff although I've mainly just gotten some leads from them (I wanted some shorter lengths).

 

[AllieMackie]

Finn's everyday collar is a rolled leather Auburn Leathercrafters collar. He doesn't swim much, and the collar itself is okay, it's holding up very well. I wouldn't blow the normal retail on them though, I get them at cost. I would like to get him a nicer rolled leather collar for everyday wear, eventually.

The rolled leather Auburn collar doesn't show up in photos (kinda the point - it doesn't mat his neckfur) but here's a decent shot of the wide tag/buckle section:

For walks, events, when he's at the store and for showing off, he has his Crazy/Beautiful collars. Local company, but she ships and the quality is incredible. Part of each proceed go to the recue she founded that I volunteer with, Sit With Me. Her speciality is cloth martingales and will also make a collar for you if you find her the fabric. Finn's eventually getting a Doctor Who collar from her. :X

Extremely sturdy (originally designed specifically for bully breeds and other tank-shaped dogs, LOL) and good when wet, so far all three are like new but used frequently.

Beauty modelling one:

Finn's latest:

And my favourite of the three (worn upside down. Oops. We're so classy like that):

 

[CatStina]

Ella's Lead- I have 1 of their collars that I bought used from someone else. It was like brand new when I bought it. The collar did not stand up to basic walking, the rivets actually fell out and the spots started falling out the day I received it in the mail. Again, it was bought USED but I expect an almost new collar to withstand some use. I did buy a few leads from them brand new but they were LACKING seriously in quality and the rope was supposed to be soft when in fact it was horribly hard and not usable due to this. The leash had extremely light use and the hardware turned the rope green. I did send an email to the company stating it wasn't what I wanted and was unhappy and received a very unprofessional response. I will NOT order from them nor recommend them due to my experiences as well as obvious poor business practices in other areas.

Just wanted to say that this is the exact opposite of my experience with Ella's Lead. I have NEVER had a bad experience with the people at Ella's Lead and have actually become friends with Ben and Rebecca on FB since buying and loving Saxon's first collar and lead so much.

Saxon has two heavy duty vegan collars and two leads from them. He's had one lead (an Eco Lead) for a year and the lead has shown very little wear, it is still in like new condition even though it is the lead I use the most (it's been in the ocean, in mud and in rivers and is still the lead I trust the most). He's had one collar for a year and, though it is starting to show some wear, it has held up really well. He knocked one of the stones off at one point so I emailed them about it and they fixed it for me for free.

I just got him a new collar and lead for his second birthday last month. I got a different lead this time and have been really pleased with it so far. It is much softer than his Eco Lead and a bit lighter, as well, but it's still very sturdy. His new collar is also the vegan material and is very striking on him. He's had it almost a month, worn it in the ocean and in a river and it's showing very little wear.

Saxon is a big puller and is very rough with his stuff. He's constantly scratching at his collars and shaking off so strongly that he's opened other leads before! So he has really put their products to the test!!

Saxon's year old Heavy Duty Vegan Collar and Eco Lead:

Saxon's new collar (those are Stafford Knots on it, not pretzels) with his year old lead (I don't have any pictures of his new lead yet):

 

[CatStina]

For thick Martingale style collars like you'd want for a Greyhound or similar breed, I like a local company called Classic Hound. http://classichound.com/ I only have one collar of her's which was given to me, I would never have purchased it on my own because I like more heavy duty collars and I don't like Martingale style for my big headed, thin-necked dog, but I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and strength of the collar:

 

[Lizmo]

Leather will come from Paco. Great costumer service, fast, and superb quality.

I tried Ella's Leads leather, and while it was very pretty and stood up to pulling, the leather was definitely not high quality. It got in water and bled quite a bit. Therefore, no more EL for me as my dogs are always in water. They were professional and handled the matter quickly with a refund.

However, I would recommend their Vegan collars. I did like them. But I can get leather that has the same design and stands up to water just as well.

Collar Mania: Great collar! However, I'm not a huge fabric person as I've found out. But great work and costumer service.

BTW: Catstina, Saxon is going to look fabulous in the emerald vegan!

 

[BostonBanker]

Cali Girl Collars-

Ooh, I really like some of theirs!

The only "nice" collar I own is from Paco, and the collar is lovely. Totally not what I wanted and therefore never used, but it isn't an issue with the collar. I really want to try again, as they have one I would love for Gusto, but I'm too scared to buy a collar without being able to try it first now. Living in Vermont, there are never stores that sell nice leather collars. So my kids live with cheap Lupine and Spiffy Dog collars.

 

[CatStina]

BTW: Catstina, Saxon is going to look fabulous in the emerald vegan!

I can't wait to try it on him. I'm usually not a green person, but he looks really good in green. I figure it could be his Christmastime collar. I'm hoping it'll be in my mailbox tomorrow! I'll let you know!

 

[skittledoo]

I just need nice quality but not so expensive rolled leather collars that will fit my skinny neck dogs... Mainly just for everyday wear and holding tags.

 

[Red Chrome]

Just wanted to say that this is the exact opposite of my experience with Ella's Lead. I have NEVER had a bad experience with the people at Ella's Lead and have actually become friends with Ben and Rebecca on FB since buying and loving Saxon's first collar and lead so much.

Saxon has two heavy duty vegan collars and two leads from them. He's had one lead (an Eco Lead) for a year and the lead has shown very little wear, it is still in like new condition even though it is the lead I use the most (it's been in the ocean, in mud and in rivers and is still the lead I trust the most). He's had one collar for a year and, though it is starting to show some wear, it has held up really well. He knocked one of the stones off at one point so I emailed them about it and they fixed it for me for free.

I am glad you have had good experiences with them! I did make a disclaimer at the end of my post that was MY experience with their products, nothing more nothing less.

 

[CatStina]

I am glad you have had good experiences with them! I did make a disclaimer at the end of my post that was MY experience with their products, nothing more nothing less.

I did see that and just wanted to give MY experience so people could see both sides! Sorry you had a bad experience, I've only ever heard good things about them!

 

[katielou]

I just need nice quality but not so expensive rolled leather collars that will fit my skinny neck dogs... Mainly just for everyday wear and holding tags.

Circle t.

I got Abe's as just a gets by until I can get a nice one when I first got him and I actually love it.

 

[Fran101]

Paco
I was one of those who said I'd never get Paco products because of the price. I finally had to see what all the fuss was about and got myself an Over the Shoulder Rover Holder (multi-functional lead)... every step of the way I have just been blown away not only by their customer service (and this was a very straightforward order!), but the quality of this leash just blew everything else I own out of the water. Its so super soft and easy on my hands. Its also done fine with an excited sled dog hooked to each end of it, which I'd say is a pretty good durability test.
I will be getting more leashes and some collars in the future. I'll have to save for a long time, but I've been convinced that its well worth it.

Ella's Lead
I have 2 rope slip leads, one leather leash, and two leather collars from EL. Oh and a safety attachment I've used once to jerry rig a coupler. Its served me very well. Scout's leather collar is starting to show quite a bit of wear, but any collar Scout wears does that after a while and we've had this one 2yrs. I had to send Lily's in to get the suede lining replaced and that was fine. They've always been good with customer service.

Master's Pride
I got rolled leather collars for the girls and I can't rave enough about them! Love!!!!

Cheap and durable:
www.gundogsupply.com
www.stillwaterkennelsupply.com

Do you happen to have any pics of the paco rover holder? I am trying to decide between it and the boldlead superlead!

 

[Toller_08]

I just need nice quality but not so expensive rolled leather collars that will fit my skinny neck dogs... Mainly just for everyday wear and holding tags.

I've just used plain ole' Circle T collars in the past, but I really, really hate jingly tags so that's why I didn't buy any for my current dogs. For an inexpensive collar though they hold up super well and are really quite nice.

My new favourite rolled collars though are these:

Some people might not like them because they're not completely rolled though. They have a flat spot on the back that has a really nicely engraved ID tag, but the rest of it is rolled. I got them here if anyone is interested. Their picture kind of sucks, but the collars in person are beautiful.

 

[Whitewave]

I love collars. We have Ellas Leads, Collarmania, 2hound design, Nancy B, Stillwater, and from several sellers on Etsy.

New Ellas Leads

Collar from Etsy- Hugglehounds

Halloween martingales from Collarmania

Martingale from Etys- Hounds Closet

Show collar from Stillwater purple on black

One of my favorite collars and will get another one day as this one was chewed from Carpe Canem