Oakside Saddlery
Additional information
So just what should you look for in a dog collar and lead? Here are some things to consider when deciding just what dog collar you should buy.
Size
It is important to consider the size of dog collar that you need. My leather dog collars are all made bespoke so if you have measured correctly your dog collar will buckle up on the middle hole. If you have a young dog then let me know when you place your order and I can make the measurement to the first hole. This then gives your dog room to grow.
Leather Quality
Not all leather is the same! Full grain bridle leather (that I use) is the best leather. Others use top grain that is half the thickness of full grain leather. Anything that says real leather or genuine leather is a lower grade, usually a very thin layer of leather over a substitute core.
If you look at my dog collars you will notice that they are just a single, solid piece of leather around 3.5mm thick. that is because the leather that I use is the same leather that I would use to make horse bridles and harness.
Stitching
I hand stitch all of my leather dog collars and leads. Hand stitched is much stronger than machine stitching. With hand stitching the thread passes completely through the leather and on to the next hole before travelling back through again and repeated. A machine stitch keeps each thread on the same side and interlocks each thread in the hole. Should one stitch wear through invariable the whole lot pulls away. This doesn't happen with hand stitching. An easy way to tell a machine stitched dog collar is look to see if the stitching goes all of the way around the collar. If it is not specifically mentioned the chances are is that it has been machine stitched. Also have a look and see if the stitching is the same colour on the inside and the outside. If they are different colours it is more than likely machine stitched.
Hardware
Hardware or furniture in the saddlery trade is important. I use solid brass, stainless steel and nickel plated.