Comfortable dog collars, buying online, EU/UK
May 1, 2015 3:51 AM Subscribe
It's new collar time for my soft haired curly, wavy doggy, so I'm looking for this combo (in order of importance): comfortable / secure / attractive, and wonder if anyone has recommendations. Local shops have very little choice, so options available via Amazon UK, eBay UK, or Etsy are especially helpful.
Our dog wears her collar all the time since I worry about the slight chance she'll get out, she also has somewhat sensitive skin and soft curly hair (which means matting can develop, and also there's not a tough coat protecting her skin) , so I really want to get the most comfortable option, but she can't tell me what that is.
I'm looking at something like this Comfort Microfiber Dog Collar, for example, but worry that it just "seems" like it would be more comfortable because it looks that way to me. Maybe this sort of material will actually rub at her soft hair.
Maybe a soft, smooth leather collar makes more sense for her coat? And if so, I would love specific recommendations, because it's a bit hard to assess online.
Or maybe there's a better option? The current collar is a Red Dingo sort of padded nylon style which is okay because it doesn't have the rough-feeling edges of many similar collars.
Obviously, the construction needs to be secure, but we don't have particular challenges such as a lot of pulling when walking, etc. She's about 18 inches tall, from floor to shoulder, and weighs about 30 lbs. Thank you for your ideas!
Our dog wears her collar all the time since I worry about the slight chance she'll get out, she also has somewhat sensitive skin and soft curly hair (which means matting can develop, and also there's not a tough coat protecting her skin) , so I really want to get the most comfortable option, but she can't tell me what that is.
I'm looking at something like this Comfort Microfiber Dog Collar, for example, but worry that it just "seems" like it would be more comfortable because it looks that way to me. Maybe this sort of material will actually rub at her soft hair.
Maybe a soft, smooth leather collar makes more sense for her coat? And if so, I would love specific recommendations, because it's a bit hard to assess online.
Or maybe there's a better option? The current collar is a Red Dingo sort of padded nylon style which is okay because it doesn't have the rough-feeling edges of many similar collars.
Obviously, the construction needs to be secure, but we don't have particular challenges such as a lot of pulling when walking, etc. She's about 18 inches tall, from floor to shoulder, and weighs about 30 lbs. Thank you for your ideas!
I really like the Ruffwear Knot-a-Collar, especially if the dog isn't an intense puller. However, I also don't clip a lead to the collar, preferring a martingale for security (I had a collar break once on a different dog.) The Knot-a-Collar is very unique (I got a lot of questions/compliments this last week in Moab), has very heavy duty hardware if you do clip a lead to it, is very comfortable for my dog (she would constantly scratch her woven band collar), and just sits nicely.
posted by awesomelyglorious at 6:29 AM on May 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by awesomelyglorious at 6:29 AM on May 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
There are stylish dog collars at The Cambridge Satchel Company - part of their Peanuts Collection - I don't know if they hit your comfort qualification but I cannot see that they were manufacture *uncomfortable* dog collars... they're made from leather, but I don't know if they're super soft and bendy or more stiff.
Free shipping. Cute doggie!
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 6:49 AM on May 1, 2015
Free shipping. Cute doggie!
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 6:49 AM on May 1, 2015
Best answer: I have a sheltie a bit smaller than your dog. I've had the most luck with rolled collars for keeping the hair mat free and minimizing neck irritation, as suggested by other sheltie owners. I use a spindrift - I don't know if they are available to you, but any rolled collar would work. Flat collars just asked for matted uncomfy messes for my pup.
Edit they are also called round collars
posted by umwhat at 7:27 AM on May 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
Edit they are also called round collars
posted by umwhat at 7:27 AM on May 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
I keep a very thin tag collar on my greyhound at all times, and add a martingale to walk him. His tag collar is flat leather but they also come in smooth round leather, which I think would be better for longer hair.
posted by sepviva at 7:39 AM on May 1, 2015
posted by sepviva at 7:39 AM on May 1, 2015
Best answer: I was just coming here to suggest rolled collars. Rolled leather is probably the most readily available but I have also seen rolled biothane--sort of like an artificial leather, which has been used for horse tack for a long period of time. Probably a bit harder to find but it is very dirt-resistant, waterproof, and comes in fun colors too.
Failing that, I've heard a lot of show people (who get very worried about coat damage and visible discomfort) rave about White Pine Collars in a way that I do not hear about any other flat collar type. I've never personally handled those myelf, though.
posted by sciatrix at 10:55 AM on May 1, 2015
Failing that, I've heard a lot of show people (who get very worried about coat damage and visible discomfort) rave about White Pine Collars in a way that I do not hear about any other flat collar type. I've never personally handled those myelf, though.
posted by sciatrix at 10:55 AM on May 1, 2015
Response by poster: Thanks, umwhat, the Spindrift looks perfect (rolled, no seam, light, *and* adjustable, wow), and though they don't sell them on my usual venues, I found a place that ships internationally, and I've ordered one.
The Ruffwear Knot-a-Collar looks very promising, but seems to only come in medium and large, and I need a smaller size. I may try one of the Lupine Eco collars, too.
Thanks so much, everyone, and I will pursue any further suggestions, too.
posted by taz at 11:00 AM on May 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
The Ruffwear Knot-a-Collar looks very promising, but seems to only come in medium and large, and I need a smaller size. I may try one of the Lupine Eco collars, too.
Thanks so much, everyone, and I will pursue any further suggestions, too.
posted by taz at 11:00 AM on May 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: We received the Spindrift Comfort collar (looks exactly like this) today, and I'm very happy with it. It looks super well made, feels good, and the round, seamless construction really seems like it's probably just right for our girl's swirly coat. (In fact she could have been the model in this video about measuring for collar size!)
posted by taz at 4:42 AM on May 21, 2015
posted by taz at 4:42 AM on May 21, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
I have a collar in "Tailfeathers" on one dog and an Eco collar on our second - Eco is made out of plastic bottles but is incredibly soft somehow while remaining waterproof.
Lupine products are made in the US but available on UK Amazon.
I also highly recommend their padded-handle leashes. Also nice is that they have an "even if chewed" guarantee, but I'm not sure how that works outside the US.
posted by bookdragoness at 6:28 AM on May 1, 2015