Dapper Dog

Nancy of Diamond Dogs UK with Rob, President of Dog Collar Boutique

At the 2010 H.H. Backer show last month, we got the inside scoop on what makes quality leather, like that used in Diamond Dogs UK’s high end dog collars. Joanne, a collar expert at their UK facility, explains how she got into dog collaring from her love of horses and fashion.  35 years ago she began working on English bridle leather in shops in the UK and the Netherlands, and in 1993 she made the jump from horse tack to dog collars, and Diamond Dogs was born.

The bridle leather used in Diamond Dogs collars is tanned to be supple yet strong, gaining in softness over the years while maintaining its durability. Some dogs, Joanne tells us, need this softness as they have delicate skin. Today most dog collar leather is tanned using chromium, which decreases the longevity of the leather and causes it to crack and irritate the skin over time. Chromium can also be harmful to the environment as a by-product of the tanning process. Diamond Dogs UK only uses all natural vegetable oils, combined with centuries old tanning secrets passed down through the generations of leather artisans.

Because producing quality leather is such an art, it is usually a family business — no one person can start doing this on their own, as it requires years of combined experience. Joanne remembers growing up around the leather process. The company does not often hire out because it is not possible to train someone to do what they do. Not everyone’s background is in dog collars — some come from shoes or belts. But the experience in leather is what counts. Getting excited about dog collars is the easy part.

Joanne tells us more about the durability of this leather — it can take whatever abuse your dog can dish out, and even get wet without compromising its strength and texture. She recommends laying wet leather out to air dry. Any amount of freshwater play is okay, but avoid saltwater if you can. If your dog just has to have his day at the beach, no problem. Just rinse the collar thoroughly with fresh water, air dry, and apply leather conditioner. Joanne’s dogs swim in freshwater almost every day, and her oldest dog (15) even wears the same leather collar she had made for him when he was nine months old. All thirteen of her dogs proudly (and comfortably) wear Diamond Dogs UK leather.

Diamond Dogs UK’s leather tradition is as old as the foxhunt — but what’s new with Diamond Dogs UK? This year they’re debuting a new red and blue Swarovski pattern, a new turquoise stone, and retractable leads with Swarovski crystal, and available matching purses.

Check out Diamond Dogs UK‘s wide selection of haute couture dog collars at Dog Collar Boutique.

This Halloween we ran a Facebook costume contest with a prize of a $131 gift certificate.  The participation was amazing!  So many friends posted cute doggy photos and everyone went wild with votes and comments on the pictures.  We’ll share the winners and the runners up here, as well as some of the most unique canine costumes we’ve ever seen:

Mimi, Lil Scout, and Jade took home the prize

Rocco Taco was a close runner-up in his dapper cowboy duds

Moki the Clown was a favorite

Baby sure turned heads in her Fire Hydrant getup!

Celebrity costumes were popular this year, like this great Lady Gaga look.

"Edible" costumes are always a hoot. Stewie went as a sushi roll!

We don't discriminate... everyone loved Mystery's kitty costume.

These are just a few of the awesome costume entries this year.  Visit our Facebook page and click the Halloween Album to see more — from bumble bees to hot dogs to geishas!

This past weekend we flew to lovely Baltimore, Maryland for the H.H. Backer Pet Industry Trade Show.  We saw quite a few of our old friends, got to know some of our newer designers, and of course (like at any good show) we made some new connections!

Auburn Leathercrafters

First we visited with our friend Walter Dungey of Auburn Leathercrafters. Here our owner Brian is checking out the construction on some Sparky’s Choice waterproof leashes.  We have worked with Auburn for several years now, and we have been consistently impressed with the quality and variety of products they offer.  Auburn has something in every price range, for every doggy size and temperament.  We may be having them custom make some signature designer collars for us soon!

Sherpa’s Pet

Next we stopped by Sherpa’s Pet’s booth, where items were on display from all of their various lines.  Sherpa’s Pet is best known for selling some of the highest quality carriers and bags in the industry, but they also distribute collars, accessories, toys, and treats.  Here Brian is with a Sherpa’s rep, in front of some very Spring-inspired Fox and Hounds collars, and their new super-cute organic cotton toy line.  These toys come to you as soft and clean as baby toys, and come in large and small sizes for puppies and adult pooches.  They’ve got more character and cuddles than just about anything we’ve found!

Yellow Dog Designs

Friday was a busy day, and we soon found ourselves at the booth of Yellow Dog Designs.  We’ve been carrying Yellow Dog for about a year, and they just keep adding more and more patterns to choose from!  You can see the amazing range of colors and styles in the photo.  The great thing about Yellow Dog is they are one of our more economical collars — so rather than having to choose just one collar, most customers pick a few different colors from similar patterns to keep their ensembles matched, or even purchase a different style for every season!

Brave Collars

After catching up with even more DCB friends, we went in search of some brand new products!  Here Brian checks out a new line of designer collars by Brave.  Soon we’ll be adding their variety of studded and decorated collars in a rainbow of high quality leathers.

We met a few more new designers this weekend, and we will be adding even more new products from those folks, including doggy swimwear and water safety items!  We’ll make an announcement when the new items are up on the site.

All in all, it was a great weekend, and we met our goals of finding out more about the products we currently carry, and most importantly, finding new exciting stuff for all of you and your pups!

Sheryl Matthys of Leashes & Lovers, a dating and networking site for dog lovers like us, is releasing her new book Leashes and Lovers, What Your Dog Can Teach You About Love, Life, and Happiness on March 31. The book launch will be celebrated with a booksale on the Leashes and Lovers website, with many opportunities to win prizes, as well as a gala launch party at nightlife hotspot Blvd. in New York City.

In her book, Sheryl Matthys, The Dog Expert® reveals how to attract the life you want, and improve your relationships whether with a special someone, a spouse, or your friends and family.  She shares stories with dog lovers like YOU and of Celebs like Cesar Millan, Richard Belzer, Howard Stern, & Rachel Ray.

Some of the prizes available when you buy the book before March 31 include doggy eye exams and correction, dog birthday parties, website creation, and more, all valued at over $250. There are many more opportunities to win prizes and snag goodie bags at the party, with proceeds benefiting The American Humane Association.

So far, critics are loving the advice in Matthys’ book. Matthys says it can help you with any number of relationship issues (dog or human), including making the right match, making the best of a break-up, dealing with your emotions when others just aren’t into your dog, and even mourning the loss of a best friend.

Visit the site to see a book trailer, to learn more about the online book sale, and get tickets for the NYC party.