Here are our tips to choosing the right collar and keeping it looking at its best.

Our collars are robustly handmade, using the finest quality materials.  However, we know that some dogs are incredibly hard on their collars, being relentless pullers, wrestlers or scratchers.  Because we can’t anticipate the wear that any collar will be put through by an individual dog, we can’t provide you with a limitless guarantee for our products but if any faults occur with the materials or workmanship within one month of purchase, we promise to take it very seriously.  Most of our advice is common sense.  But do also beware flea treatments on the l;eather for 24-48hrs after application.  Its like paint stripper.  Careful with your leather sofas too, we've seen some terrible pictures.

Cowskins, Tweeds and Tartans
Cowskin is an ultra-hardy material (as Sarah always says..”Think what cows stand in all day!”)  Our own dogs, Holly and Lil, wear their cowskin collars most of the time, swimming, mud-wallowing and rolling in disgusting things.  The collars are very hardy but small dogs can scratch away with their needle claws and do more "damage" than a really big dog - so common sense is needed.  Please follow care instructions that come with each collar. 
Harris Tweeds and tartan twills also make extremely hardy and practical collars, tried and tested by both town and country dogs.  The small dog needle claws warning applies here too I am afraid.  The collars are perfect for them out and about but if you let them live in them 24hours a day then their sharp claws will wear the Tweed out.
If a cowskin, tweed or tartan collar (or lead) gets muddy/wet:
• If the collar gets muddy, take it off and rinse it briefly under a tap, or a showerhead, to clean it. You can use a mild shampoo and rub gently if there are any smelly deposits.
• If the collar is wet or has just been cleaned: remove excess water from the leather and metal fittings with a soft cloth or towel and then hang collar to air dry.
• Always allow collars to dry naturally away from direct heat.
• Keep the leather in peak condition and renew its waterproofing by using a leather balsam from time to time - just as you would look after any good quality leather footwear or garments.
Our Recommendations
Cowskins 100% suitable for all dogs' dirty deeds and daily wear!
The same hardiness applies to The Harris Tweed and Tartan ranges.
Harris Tweed is a tough, handwoven, traditionally water resistant material. Suitable for working dogs and townies alike. Tartan twill, woven in Scotland is a dense, tough 100% wool material which can take swimming and rolling in vile substances in its stride, just as can the Tweed and Cowhides.

Brocade 
When we first launched the brocades several years ago we feared that they were more a specail occaision collar.  However years on and we are far more confident of them now as Hollys one still looks lovely, having been swum and rolled in.  If your dog is constantly scratching at its neck or playing neck biting games with other dogs then brocades are probably not right for you as an everyday collar. However the small dog with needle claws warning applies here too I am afraid.  The collars are perfect for them out and about but if you let them live in them 24hours a day then their sharp claws will wear the Brocade out.
If a brocade collar (or lead) gets muddy/wet
• If the collar gets muddy, take it off and rinse it briefly under a tap, or a showerhead, to clean it. You can use a mild shampoo if there are any smelly deposits. Do not rub the fabric too hard.
• If the collar is wet or has just been cleaned: remove excess water from the leather and metal fittings with a soft cloth or towel and then hang collar to air dry.
• Always allow collars to dry naturally away from direct heat.
• Keep the leather in peak condition and renew its waterproofing by using a leather balsam from time to time - just as you would look after any good quality leather footwear or garments.
• If needed, trim the odd loose thread with a sharp pair of scissors.
Our Recommendations
As with many of our recommendations having supplied the information regarding the collars we must leave it to you, your knowledge of your dog and your common sense. Holly and Lil have had many an outing in their brocades and they still look fabulous. In fact Holly has received more compliments wearing her Black and Gold than with many of her other collars - it is a firm favourite!

Calf leathers including Hollywood Dreams, Sugared Almonds, Superluxe & Half Checks , Manhattans & Pirates
All of our collars are made from Italian calf leather – the same material as top quality shoes and leather clothes.  The advantages of using calf for dog collars is its glowing luxurious colour, together with its inherent softness and suppleness which is so kind to dogs' coats and far less likely to matt or break the fur than traditional bridle leather. 
If a Hollywood Dreams or Superluxe Plain collar (or lead) gets wet/ muddy
• Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
• If the collar is wet or has just been cleaned: remove excess water from the leather and metal fittings with a soft cloth or towel and then hang collar to air dry.
• Always allow collars to dry naturally away from direct heat.
• Keep the leather in peak condition and renew its waterproofing by using a leather balsam from time to time - just as you would look after any good quality leather footwear or garments.
Our Recomendations
EYELETS: If your dog is a big puller or ‘lunger’ on the lead, we recommend that you order reinforcing steel eyelets.

Boho, Charms, Beaded, Semi-Precious We hand sew the decorative elements onto our hand made calf leather collars, using both leather thong together with high tensile nylon filament.
If your dog is constantly scratching its neck, thundering through undergrowth or wrestling with other dogs then these decorated collars are not a good choice for everyday walkwear – but they do make perfect party wear.  For more sedate dogs, they are fine anytime.
Our tips for daily care are:
• Take the collar off at night – (you wouldn’t wear a charm bracelet to bed!)
• Take the collar off if your dog is going to swim or play rough or wrestling games with other dogs.
• If the collar gets muddy, take it off, rinse it briefly to clean it. You can use a toothbrush to clean off the charms.
• Always allow collars to dry naturally away from direct heat.
• Every now and again use a leather balsam to keep the leather in peak condition.
• Nothing lasts forever and if you do lose a charm we will supply some spare charms which you can sew on with nylon thread. Alternatively, slip the ‘jump ring’ fitting through the loop of the stitch and the charm and close with fine nosed pliers or tweezers.
Our Recomendations
Commen sense rules here - would you wear a charm bracelet when swimming, wrestling or hiking cross country? Well we wouldn't ...so we do'nt let our dogs run riot in theirs either. Some clients have been buying a charm collar and Lead for when their dog is out to impress and a matching plain collar for going wild in the country!
EYELETS: If your dog is a big puller or ‘lunger’ on the lead, we recommend that you order reinforcing steel eyelets. Alternatively, attach your dog’s lead to a harness and leave the beautiful collar un-yanked

Note also .... If you are purchasing a collar and lead at different times do please be aware that there is a variation in colour and print with each skin and even occasionally hair length.  But we will do all we can to give you the best match if you inform us.