Dapper Dog

Dog Collar Boutique has another hidden gem made by Diamond Dogs® from Great Britain, and it’s a beauty! It is created with 8 rows of studded Swarovski® Crystals, each individually affixed to premium quality English bridle leather, backed with a soft Italian hide to provide the ultimate in comfort and luxury.

For over 30 years the work of the Diamond Dogs® designers and master craftsmen have graced the pages of fashion magazines. They have an extensive knowledge of dogs from the tiniest Chihuahua to the largest Mastiff (sizes for this collar range from 16″ – 26″). This collar sparkles just like your favorite diamond ring. Everyone will notice you, your ring and your dog’s bling.

This is celebrity-grade bling! You can’t help but appreciate the detail of  this 2″ width collar. It  is simply magnificent! Hundreds of large Swarovski® Crystals create this outstanding accessory. It is the perfect contrast of clear crystal on black leather. Sizes available are M, L & XL. All products are normally shipped within 28 days of receipt of order, but is well worth the wait. Prices range from $460 – $560.

Handmade overseas of top quality materials makes this collar hard to resist. You won’t be able to take your eyes off it or your dog—nor will anyone else.

Dog Collars Boutique is proud to announce a new line of dog collars made by Alisa Marie K-9 Couture. All of these collars feature Coco Swarovski® crystals and are available in 11 colors. Alisa Marie K9 Couture uses only the finest leathers and genuine Swarovski® crystals. Each leather dog collar is handcrafted and embellished with classy bling.

The colors, from left to right are; Champagne, Gold, Orange, Red, Sunset, Pink, Violet, Purple, Baby Blue, Lime, and Teal.

Make your precious pooch sparkle anytime, and the wide choice of colors makes it easy to match any color of coat or fashion statement. Whichever color you choose, it will really make your dog, and the collar standout. Fashion is all about the accessories and this collar will be the sparkle and glitz on your beloved dog.

The K-9 Couture handmade collars range from $140-$200. Each crystal is individually secured to the collar with uppermost care for quality. When your friends see this dog collar on your dog they will surely love it! Also, comes with leads in matching colors.

This year Dog Collar Boutique is adding a host of new products! We are expanding existing categories like collars and harnesses, and exploring new items such as retractable leashes and training tools.  In 2011 we want to bring you the widest selection of high quality dog collars available online, and continue to offer more unique merchandise for your dog’s travel, outdoor, training, and special occasion needs.  Read on to see some spectacular items we’ve recently added.

Retractable Leashes

We have long wanted to get into the retractable lead market, but could not find the right product to represent our dedication to quality and fashion.  Pet store retractables are nothing new, and we pride ourselves on selling only what you can’t get at the big box  store.  At the other end of the fashion spectrum, we found some bejeweled retractable leads that offered the bling we were looking for in a retractable, but they were simply too pricey and delicate to be practical — a retractable lead is usually purchased for a daily walker, so it has to be sturdy as well as stylish!  At the 2010 Backer trade show we finally found a retractable that lives up to our high standards.  Dog fashion designers 26 Bars and a Band create unique printed retractable leashes in everything from leopard print to houndstooth to skulls and monkeys.  Their cute harnesses for small dogs come in prints to match the retractable leads, but each lead is stylish enough to work on its own, and take a beating from feisty pups up to 28 lbs.  Check out 26 Bars and a Band and make sure to watch their helpful video on how to fit your pup for a harness.

Fashion Dog Carriers with an Edge

We’ve always sniffed out the best in haute couture carriers in leather and high end fabrics, but not until this year did we find a dealer of faux animal skin accessories that resemble today’s most sought after over-sized purses and hobo bags.  Backbone makes faux croc and faux snakeskin dog carriers that are dazzling and durable, made of a coated leather that’s easy to clean (the bags come with liners too, just in case your pooch has an “oops” moment).  Each bag is decorated with studs, just like the look you’d find tucked under the table of any Manhattan or LA restaurant.  Only your posh bag will have a special surprise hiding inside!  Check out Backbone’s faux reptilian carriers, as well as their more traditional leather offerings that are just as sure to turn heads.

More ID Tags and Accessories

We’ve been slowly adding to our ID tag selection over the past year, and we now proudly offer both sterling silver and more affordable yet stylish metal tag styles.  Our latest addition to our ID tags inventory is Rockin’ Doggie, a line of pewter tags that look as polished as silver but offer that edgy look your rockin’ dog wants, sporting music inspired and dog-appropriate phrases like “Bad to the Bone” and “Born to Run.”  (“The Bitch is Back” might be appropriate here too, but Rockin’ Doggie didn’t go that far!)  Rockin’ Doggie also designs accessories like collar charms and pendants, as well as the very first fashion poop bag dispenser we offer!

We hope you’ll find something you like in our New Arrivals section at Dog Collar Boutique.  And just to get the ball rolling, we’ve discounted all the new stuff by 10% until we get stocked up on all our new items!

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.

Wheeley wearing the Celtic Rose collar

When is a dog collar not a dog collar? When it’s a trip across time and space to pay homage to the artistic traditions of ancient cultures.  This year, Dog Collar Boutique began carrying bon Christiani’s unique line of handmade collars.  Here is their story…

At bon Christiani, a boutique fine dog collar company, each handcrafted collar is a marriage of modern materials, old world craftsmanship, and the artistic visions of the ancient Celtic peoples. Founder and Owner Jennifer Christiano is a former research scientist now creating upscale accoutrements for dogs based on studies of ancient arts and crafts.

Unique and trademarked to bon Christiani dog collars are the D-rings, hand cast from recycled bronze by Sun Valley Bronze located in Bellevue, Idaho. They’re based on a historic Celtic belt buckle found on an Irish “Bog Man” mummy. The bright, finely engraved pewter décor pieces that encircle each collar are based on various Celtic knots, or Viking shield bosses. The high-grade semiprecious gemstone cabochons that customers can choose from to decorate the various collar designs, are all of the same types actually used in Celtic jewelry in ancient times. The only exception is the jade, “because people kept telling me that if I was going to sell anything Celtic, I needed to offer a green stone!” says Jennifer.

Jo Jo in the Epona collar

Besides being uniquely gorgeous, bon Christiani collars are also uniquely durable. They’re made from a proprietary, high-impact, bio-imitative leather on the outside, stitched to a soft, bio-imitative suede lining. The high-tech, cruelty-free materials offer the look and feel of fine hide while being impervious to rot, mold, and bacterial and viral growth. They can be worn in fresh and salt water, and cleaned with mild soap and water. Experience has shown that these collars even resist skunk spray, if cleaned quickly!

As bon Christiani grows, Jennifer plans to expand her line to include collars that pay homage to the art traditions of ancient Nubia, Egypt, Rome and other cultures. “I’m living out my second childhood as a cultural anthropologist,”, Jennifer jokes. “Needing something beautiful to outfit my German Shepherd with gave me the perfect excuse to indulge my passions for dogs, ethnic jewelry and ancient arts”. In addition, she feeds her passion for helping abused animals by donating 5% the profits of each sale to Kindness Ranch Humane Society.

Jennifer and Padma

When “Out of Kenya Art,” a collective of artists working in Kenya to support themselves with their handiwork, needed funds to compete in the world market, JMS Ventures of Virginia stepped up to provide the capital and distribution power they needed, and The Kenyan Collection was born.

Much of the Kenyan population lives below the international poverty line, and besides agricultural employment (which not everyone is suited for) the only work available in most areas is in the informal sector — that is, people must work for themselves, and sell or trade things directly to one another.

When Joan Schultz was living in Kenya in 2002, she met Mercy Mahiani.  The two women founded the company as a for profit business — “for the profit of Kenyans” explains Shultz.  The two have been working together ever since, Schultz now stateside in Virginia, and Mahiani in Kenya, to locate high quality African beadwork, help distribute it to customers in wealthier areas, and even provide consult on new designs and materials.  Their efforts have helped the Maasai tribe of Kenya to become a viable player in the world market, relying only on the work of their own hands.

The Kenyan Collection includes products such as equestrian accessories and fishing boxes, but their bread and butter is dog collars.  It seems that dog owners make a very personal investment when they choose a collar for their best friends, and this kind of personal stake in a product goes a long way in creating a meaningful relationship between the customer and the producers of his or her handmade collar.  Every collar is unique and completely artisanal.  Many collars can be completely quickly, but some take up to eight weeks to bead, cast hardware for, and ship to the states.  These works of art are well worth the wait.

This spring, Dog Collar Boutique started carrying two new lines of The Kenyan Collection’s dog collars.  The Meadow Stripe Collar and the Sunshine Collar both evoke images of warm days, flowers and sun, and are as durable as they are beautiful.  Visit the boutique to view all of the unique bead patterns and read more about the quality and details that go into each line.

Celtic Rose Collar

This week we joined dog-collaring and legend-making forces with one of the most artistic and quality-driven dog collar designers we have come across to date.  The bon Christiani line of Celtic- and mythology-inspired collars is now available exclusively through Dog Collar Boutique.

Jennifer Christiano founded the company as bon Christiani to honor her old-world heritage.  She wanted to create something both dogs and people could enjoy, by combining her knowledge of precious gems with her love of dog collaring.  Having spent her graduate school years at the University of Chicago studying ethnic jewelry, founding bon Christiani was the perfect way for Christiano to express herself through gemstones and design.

When we came across the bon Christiani collars online, we were instantly smitten.  We had to have them for the boutique!  The authenticity of the gems used (mostly Celtic period gems), the symbology and significance of the designs, and the quality of the construction, using materials such as handcast bronze and locally sourced garnet, are an amazing combination of passion and attention to detail not commonly found in something as deceptively simple as a dog collar.

You and your dog can enjoy an artisanal collar made from the same materials, by the same processes, that have not changed since the time of Beowulf and his insular ancestors.  Celtic roses, triangular knots, Viking-like shields and even frolicking horses grace the leather of these collars, and even the elegant bronze D-ring has a story.  It was modeled after a belt buckle found on a Celtic bog man!

Have a look at the full line of bon Christiani collars at Dog Collar Boutique, now the exclusive retailer for these exquisite designs.

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!

Dosha Dog has meant the finest in natural stone collars for years now, but their newest line of collars and leads packs a colorful punch with contrasting stones and bright dyed leathers. Using the same palette of earthy stones as their previous lines, Dosha Dog’s Imperial Collection changes it up with alternating colors, shapes, and sizes of Mother Nature’s own bling on supple leather backgrounds.

For the dog owner who loves that earthy look, but can’t confine herself (or her dog) to the monochrome hues of some natural stone collars, the Imperial Collection is sure to be an eye-catcher.  The collars and leads not only create a constellation of color around your dog’s neck, but surround her with the combined healing, focusing, calming, and protective qualities associated with stones like turquoise, carnelian, onyx, and Cat’s Eye.

Collars start at $48, and come in a range of sizes to fit poodles and pinschers alike.  Take advantage of our collar and lead duo deals (at the bottom of each collar’s page) to save on a set at DogCollarsBoutique.com.