Adding your dog’s name to a custom made collar gives your pet a touch of individuality. But when buying a personalised collar it’s important to not overlook the most important aspect – your dog’s safety.
In this short guide, we give you an overview of the following:
- how buy the correct size
- what to look out for when buying a collar
- do not confuse personalisation with ID tags required by law
- the personalised collar options we sell here at JULIUS-K9® UK
Getting the perfect fit
A well fitted collar should be snug but not tight. The rule to follow is that you should be able to fit two fingers between the collar and your dog's neck. This ensures the collar is comfortable, secure, and safe.
The collar should also be easily adjustable, so as your dog grows, or their weight changes, you can resize it.
We have a more detailed fitting and measuring guide here.
What to look for: Quality over style
While a customised and stylish dog collar can make your pet stand out, it’s important to always prioritise quality over appearance. A collar is far more than just an accessory; it’s a piece of safety equipment and needs to be functional.
Dog collars should be made from highly durable material that can withstand everyday use, like pulling, chewing, and exposure to the elements.
Polyester webbing is an extremely good material as it’s suitable for all weather use and is easy to clean. Leather is a common choice among pet owners due to its ruggedness whilst also looking smart.
Function
Functionality is just as important as durability. A collar needs to have a reliable attachment point for a lead. This D-ring or loop should be made from a strong metal like stainless steel.
It’s rare, but not uncommon, for a collar to have a plastic lead attachment points. This is not recommend as the plastic can break under pressure and wares down quickly due to constant friction.
Ensure the D-ring or loop is reinforced with strong stitching to prevent tearing or fraying overtime. This area will come under the most stress.
The locking buckle also needs to be robust. It’s very common that these are made from tough plastics. Good quality plastic buckles are strong enough to withstand pulling and prevent accidental release. The edges of the buckle should be rounded off and smooth to prevent skin irritation.
Control handles
Some collars come with a handle. This provides an enhanced level of control and improved safety. They are more common on thicker collars and are preferred by owners of larger breeds. But the handle can also be useful for controlling puppies and can aid training.
Find out more about dog collars with handles in our article here.
Collar customisation is not an ID tag
Under UK law, dogs must wear a visible form of ID that has the owner’s name (initials and surname) and current address (house number and postcode).
When personalising a dog collar some owners forget this requirement. One of the most common types of collar customisation has the dog’s name, owner’s phone number, and sometimes an indication that the dog has been microchipped. But this is missing both the required owner’s name and address.
Don’t forget that your dog must wear a valid ID tag when in public, even when displaying other details on a collar.
Read our article: UK dog ID tag and microchipping law
Personalisation options
Here at JULIUS-K9® UK, our Color & Gray® Dog Collar With Handle come with replaceable patches. We sell three types of personalised patches including Coloured, Luminous, and Reflective ones where you can add custom text.
