Product Review: Weyland-Utani, Building Better Dogs

Sponsored by Weyland-Utani Corp, this collar from Quantum Mechanix is basically one huge in-joke for fans of the Alien films. The collar is made from a light, fast-drying material and is very comfortable. It bears the slogan "Building Better Dogs", a fun take on the fictional company's "Building Better Worlds" slogan. This arrived in our very first Loot Pets crate from Loot Crate, and
may be an exclusive item just for subscribers.

Photo by Erin Koski 

 I love subtle fandom humor. Not everyone needs to get it, and most won't even notice. Once in a while though, someone will happen upon it and really see it for what it is, and it will make their day.

I have a Miskatonic University parking pass sticker on my dashboard, down at the bottom where most of the local colleges require their parking passes to be places. It's subtle, and most people see it as just another parking sticker. However, someone with enough familiarity with the works of H.P. Lovecraft will recognize it as the fictional university mentioned in many of his stories. Hopefully they will get the same sort of gleeful "I GET that!" feeling I do when I see a Black Mesa bumper sticker.

So clearly the Weyland-Utani Corp collar is right up my alley. It bears the brand of a fictional megacorporation with tendrils touching every industry, so of course Wey-Ute would make dog collars. They make everything else, right?

Pros: Light, comfortable, and the dark color doesn't show off the dirt. Adjustable enough to fit everyone but Ru. Is a level of geeky rarely attainable via pet attire.

Cons: The light and comfy material probably won't look this awesome after a lot of heavy duty wear.

Bottom Line: It's so geeky, and so subtle that only other geeks will get it!

What's the geekiest pet item you own?

Product Review: Collars by Old Navy Dog Supply

Guess what?! Old Navy sells stuff for dogs now! Wait, no they don't. Ok, now they do again. Oops, nevermind, no they don't. Old Navy has offered dog stuff on and off for at least the last 15 years. I know this because I bought a set of booties there for my dearly departed cocker spaniel 15 years ago. I have also seen dog toys, bandanas, and shirts offered, but it's obvious that Old Navy Dog Supply stuff is not consistently available.

Photo by Erin Koski

Last year Old Navy Dog Supply reared its head again. I missed this phenomenon entirely because I am a weirdo who mostly shops online and in thrift stores. A friend found these collars on clearance for us. Currently there is no sign of dog stuff on the Old Navy website.

The first collar we got is a classic buckle collar with bones and stripes. It fits necks about 17-24" around. The collar is constructed from nylon webbing with a decorative ribbon overlay.

The first thing I noticed about this collar is how light it is. Not light-but-strong so much as flimsy. The nylon is not very thick and the buckle holes are just melted through the strap without any other reinforcement.

Photo by Erin Koski

Our second collar is another classic buckle with a paw and crossbone pattern. It fits necks about 11-17" around. This collar is the same weight and thickness as the stripey one, but it feels a little less flimsy because it is intended for a smaller dog.

The lightness of these collars doesn't actually bother me much because I never walk my dogs on flat buckle collars. I prefer harnesses or martingales for leash walking because they are much more difficult to escape. Flat collars are just for holding tags.

The third Old Navy Dog Supply collar has glow-in-the-dark skulls and a plastic quick-release buckle. It is definitely my favorite of the three. It feels a lot more sturdy because it doesn't have buckle holes that could rip under force.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pros: Cute, fun prints. Functional tag holders. Light and comfortable.

Cons: Not sturdy enough for leash walking in my opinion. Washing instruction tag says "damp wipe only" so not intended for outdoor adventures. Definitely going to be ruined by skunk spray or a roll in something dead. Two of the collars have said washing tag oddly sewn on the outside of the collar.

Bottom Line: These are a fun addition to our collar collection. I need to stick my head in an Old Navy store occasionally to see if Old Navy Dog Supply exists again.

Have you seen dog stuff at Old Navy recently?

Product Review: Angel Leather Collar

This is a flat buckle collar by Angel Pet Supplies. It is padded and extremely sturdy. Angel dog collars come in a variety of sizes to fit necks 10-26" around.

Photo by Erin Koski

I've seen a couple of these collars on dogs at daycare, and of course they had them at Dog. Dog. Cat. They seem to hold up particularly well for colored leather, though the pink ones start to look dirty after too many adventures.

I wanted to get one of Angel's Alpine collars, which have a center ring. When I ordered this collar on Amazon, it was pictured and described as having a center ring. It was also identified as the Alpine collar. When it arrived, it was just a standard buckle collar with no center ring.

According to the chart on Angel's website, it does not appear that the 12" Alpine collar even comes in purple. It's there on their online store, however. Sure enough, the collar pictured is the one we have, with no center ring. I suspect they may be discontinuing this size/color/style. The tiny rhinestone collars definitely have a center ring.

Pros: Fairly light and thin for my little wisp of a dog. Gorgeous color that lasts with a little care.

Cons: It's a bit stiff for such an itty bitty collar. This size doesn't have the center ring shown in most of the stock photos.

Bottom Line: Buying stuff on Amazon can be sort of a gamble. I would have bought the purple rhinestone collar at Dog. Dog. Cat. if they'd had it in Ru's size. These are a little too stiff and wide to be everyday wear for Ru, he has been going naked lately since his neck has been rubbed bald again.

What sort of collar is your dog wearing today?

Product Review: Harry Barker Designer Collar

Harry Barker designer collars are made from recycled plastic bottles woven into tough webbing. They are durable, lightweight, and dry quickly. These collars are available in a variety of prints and colors, and come in six sizes to fit dogs with necks 6-26" around.

Photo by Erin Koski

When it comes to sustainable dog collars, I think Harry Barker might have some of the best options out there. The patterns and colors are beautiful, and the collars really last. I see these on dogs at daycare all the time, and they look beautiful even after months of surf and sun.

Pros: Bright patterns and colors resist fading. Webbing is light and thin, yet very strong.

Cons: The thinnest collars are 5/8" wide, so they look ridiculous on Ru.

Bottom Line: This is Darla's new collar, it will be going to her new home with her when she gets adopted.

Product Review: Petco Squirrel Collar

The Petco Purple Squirrel Collar is a flat collar with a quick release buckle. It is available in three sizes to fit dogs with necks 9-26" around.

Photo by Erin Koski

I don't often buy collars from big box pet stores. It's not that the quality is lacking, I just don't often find things I really like there. Recently though, the major retailers have expanded their offerings beyond basic nylon dog gear. I think the popularity of collars and brands normally found in boutiques has finally caught the attention of the major pet retailers.

I've seen some super cute ribbon collars and prints at Petco recently. I see them on dogs at work, and all over town too. The pink elephants and blue whales are particularly popular. I haven't seen anyone else wearing this particular squirrel collar yet.

Pros: Dark colors don't show the dirt too quickly. Purple plastic buckle blends with the rest of the collar. Squirrels!

Cons: I'm not trusting that pretty purple plastic buckle to hold up to a serious dog play. I've seen a number of colored plastic buckles break.

Bottom Line: I think it's time we moved past the basic bone and pawprint motifs and started adorning dog gear with things that better reflect the wearer's interests. Brisbane is interested in squirrels. Also sheep and tennis balls.

Product Review: Star Trek: The Original Series Collar

The Star Trek: The Original Series dog collar is a flat collar with a quick-release buckle. It comes in three sizes and features a rubber Starfleet logo charm. This collar comes in three colors, or departments: yellow, blue, and red, or Security, Science, and Expendable.

Photo by Erin Koski

Naturally, Ru has a red collar. He is my little Redshirt, ready to go out and suffer an anticlimactic end. This is a serious nerd collar, and I am a serious nerd. I grew up watching Star Trek: The Next Generation, and went to Star Trek conventions with my family. I've always loved the original series though, with its endless array of omnipotent beings and palpable fear of the unknown.

M favorite character is, and always has been, Mr. Spock. I would love to be as calmly logical and in control of myself. The new reboot just doesn't live up to the original though, and I am deeply mourning the loss of Leonard Nimoy.

Pros: Super nerdy way to tell the world that you, or maybe just your dog, is an Original Series fan. Easily adjustable, bright. I really love the Starfleet charm.

Cons: This collar feels kind of big on little Ru. It's 1/2" thick and bulky when adjusted to be as small as possible.

Bottom Line: I need to get a blue one for Brisbane, my logical dog.

Product Review: Wag A Tude Bandana Collar

The Wag a Tude Bandana Collar is a flat buckle collar with a little decorative bandana attached. This is a Petco house brand, these are available seasonally in assorted prints ans sizes.

Photo by Erin Koski

I'm not normally a fan of bandana collars, but this one isn't too bad. The leash ring is placed in the center of the bandana, so it will stay in proper position when a leash is attached. I wouldn't use this as a tag collar because the tags would pull the bandana to the front. To me that looks backwards. The bandana should be at the back of the dog's neck like a cape, or at a jaunty angle to the side.

There is no way I would use this as a regular tag collar, but as a fashion accessories it's pretty damned cute. The bandana is big enough to get the point across, but not so gigantic that it gets bunched up.

Pros: Cute and colorful for good visibility. Totally adorable print.

Cons: Looks stupid when worn with identification tags.

Bottom Line: This is the only bandana collar I own. I doubt I will acquire any others.

How do you feel about bandana collars?

Product Review: Ollydog Nightlife II Collar

The Ollydog Nightlife II Collar is a flat buckle collar with an incredibly reflective strip down the middle. It features durable nylon webbing, a quick-release buckle, and a rubber tag muffler. This collar is available in nine colors and three sizes to fit dogs with necks 8-29" around.

Photo by Erin Koski

When it comes to visibility, this collar is tough to beat. That wide reflective strip is pretty impressive at night. It picks up flashlight beams and car headlights and throws them back in a way that makes it look like the collar itself is glowing.

Ollydog makes some neat outdoor dog gear, and while I'm not as madly in love with them as I am with Ruffwear, I still like the company a whole lot. These collars last a long time, can handle anything from beach sand to serious mud, and are really nice collars for active outdoor-enthusiast dogs.

I especially like that little rubber tag silencer. It goes between the ID tag and county license, rabies tag, religious symbol, etc, and keeps the tags from clanking together. I don't find dog tag noises to be particularly annoying, but obviously a lot of people do. There are a ton of different products intended to solve this problem, and I think this is one of the simplest and most durable solutions.

Pros: High visibility in low-light conditions. High durability. Stays bright and colorful for a long, long time. Comes in tiny through ponydog sizes.

Cons: That reflective tape is the same width on every collar, so it looks a whole lot skinnier on the larger sizes.

Bottom Line: An excellent utilitarian collar, and probably my favorite reflective piece of dog gear.

Product Review: Auburn Leather Heirloom Old Glory Collar

The Heirloom Old Glory collar by Auburn Leathercrafters is a flat buckle collar with antiqued brass and nickel hardware. It is available in three colors and seven sizes to fit dogs with necks 11-26" around.

Photo by Erin Koski

I love unique dog gear, and this collar is pretty unusual. See the stars? They alternate between brass and nickel, both aged to a lovely patina. Two colors of metal! I don't know why that makes me so happy, but it does. The buckle is brass, so it matches the hardware on my favorite leash.

As far as leather collars go, these are pretty nice mass-market products. The edges are all finishes, the collar is stitched and beautifully constructed. Aside from being a little stiff, it is comfortable without sharp edges. It is gorgeous and dignified and also apparently lasts forever.

Pros: Extremely durable, gets "broken in" rather than "worn out". Easy care leather, some people report that they stand up to a lot of abuse and don't need to be cleaned and cared for like fine leather.

Cons: If those stars ever loosen up, the points could potentially catch on blankets, clothing, and other dogs.

Bottom Line: If I had to pick only one collar to put on Brisbane and use every day, this would be an excellent choice.

Product Review: Top Paw Pink Leather Spiked Rhinestone Collar

The Top Paw Pink Leather Spiked Collar is a decorative flat buckle collar by Petsmart's house brand. Top Paw collars are available in a variety of sizes, colors, and styles.

Photo by Erin Koski

I'm not a terribly classy person, I tend to dress casual and comfortable. Sometimes I feel like putting on something fancy, though. Sometimes I wear a tiara just for the hell of it. This Top Paw collar is a lot like that. We have a lot of fun and functional collars, but this one is fancy. In between the stainless steel spikes are diamond-colored rhinestones. Also it's pink. Yes, my dogs are all boys. Boys can wear pink.

As far as leather collars go, this one is in the middle of the range. It's not high fashion like Coach. It's not an uber-fancy top-quality collar like the ones from Woof Wear. Still, it's a solid collar with reliable hardware and nice-quality leather. It's pretty and fancy and looks nice. The color will last a long time, and I expect the rhinestones will stay on through normal wear.

Pros: Made from durable, quality leather. Top Paw branded stainless steel hardware will stand up to just about anything. Spikes and rhinestones on the same collar are awesome.

Cons: Made from single-ply leather which can stretch over time.

Bottom Line: I wouldn't use this as a walking collar for a dog that pulls, but as a tag collar it's lovely. I wish they made one in Ru-size.

Product Review: Bison Adjustable Collar

The Bison Adjustable Collar is a flat buckle collar made from nylon web and decorative ribbon. It has a quick-release side-squeeze buckle and comes in a multitude of colors and patterns. Bison collars are available in three sizes to fit dogs with necks 6-32" around.

Photo by Erin Koski

I originally bought this collar for Josie, but I think Brisbane wears it well. Bison Designs makes a variety of outdoor equipment, along with novelty doodads like bottle openers in every shape. At 1.25", this is currently the widest collar in Brisbane's wardrobe. It really stands out and says This Is A Collar. Wider collars distribute pressure better, so if I walked Briz on a flat collar this would be a good choice.

Pros: Pink Cabernet pattern stands out without being too flashy or loud, it's still sort of earth-toned. Wider is better for walking collars. Doesn't get dirty or look faded yet.

Cons: Like most wide nylon adjustable collars, the sizing hardware on this one tends to slip and loosen over time. My small Rubit won't fit on the leash ring.

Bottom Line: I think big fat collars like this look best on unfluffy dogs, but I still like it on Brisbane.

Product Review: WaLk-e-Woo Signature Polka Dots Collar

The WaLk-e-Woo Signature Polka Dots Collar is a nylon flat buckle collar with a ribbon overlay. It opens with a quick-release plastic buckle. The Signature Polka Dots Collar comes in an abundance of colors, and five sizes to fit dogs with necks 8-28" around. Matching 5' leashes are also available.

Photo by Erin Koski

I like WaLk-e-Woo collars because they last a good long time, and look great for ages. I have seen an occasional dirty or faded WaLk-e-Woo, but those have usually been on the dog for years without being washed. I see lovely collars from this company last through years of beach trips with minimal care. They come in wonderfully bright patterns, and tons of colors. I think the Signature Polka Dots are my favorite, though.

WaLk-e-Woo says they use a proprietary heat sealing method to make their colors so durable. They are all made in Colorado, and it's a family business started by a stay-at-home mom. Brisbane's WaLk-e-Woo navy polka dot collar have a charm on it, but the ones I see in stores now do not. This probably means his is a bit older.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pros: Durable, colorful, high quality. Made in the USA. Friendly company run by caring individuals rather than a faceless corporation.

Cons: The lighter colors tend to look dirty faster. The smallest collars aren't stupidly tiny enough for stupidly tiny dogs. They'll fit Ru, but are still a tad wide for his tiny frame.

Bottom Line: These are a bright and colorful addition to Brisbane's collar wardrobe.

Product Review: Up Country Ribbon Collars

Up Country Ribbon Collars are flat buckle collars with unique decorative ribbon trim. The nylon collars come in various base colors, and there is an amazing variety of ribbon patterns. Up Country collars come in eight sizes to fit dogs with necks 6-27" around. The company also offers matching martingale collars, step-in harnesses, and 6' leashes.

Photo by Erin Koski

Up Country makes some very pretty dog collars, and they seem to be fairly durable, too. I've had bad experienced with ribbon overlay collars, but these are holding up admirably. I actually bought them in a thrift store to see if I could clean them up, they were pretty stinky and gross at the time. A few cycles through the washing machine with dish soap and they are lovely and odor-free again.

The biggest attraction of the Up Country collars is the patterns, there are just so many. Want a patriotic USA, British, or Canadian collar? One with rabbits or squirrels? Swordfish? Zebras? Alligators? Hot air balloons? They have over 100 different designs. I am planning to get Brisbane an Under the Sea collar because it has octopuses on it. We currently have whales and ladybugs.

Pros: Durable, adjustable collars with endless variety. Made in the USA. This was one of the first companies to make quality ribbon collars, Up Country has been around fo 30 years now.

Cons: No dinosaurs.

Bottom Line: These will not be the last Up Country collars to join our collection.

Product Review: Bret Michaels Pets Rock Rolled Leather Collar

The Bret Michaels Rolled Leather Collar from the PetSmart Pets Rock collection is a flat buckle collar. This is from a line of rockstar themed products endorsed by an actual rockstar, and many of their products are actually quite snazzy.

Photo by Erin Koski

As Pets Rock collars go, this one is pretty sweet. It's simpler than the ones encrusted with spikes, studs, and chains. The buckle keeper is emblazoned with Bret Michaels's signature, and the rolled part is narrow.

As rolled leather collars go, this one isn't that great. The function of a rolled leather collar is to avoid corners or edges rubbing against the dog's coat. The rounded section of leather slides along the hairs without pulling them. The Pets Rock rolled leather collar is more folded than it is rolled. The leather is folded in half and stitched down, but it's been scraped so thin on the inside that the entire thing just collapses into a neat square.

Pros: Skinny minimalist design, bears rockstar signature logo, probably made from cow.

Cons: Isn't actually round.

Bottom Line: All the classic rolled leather style with none of the function. Most of PetSmart's Bret Michaels collars rock a little harder, but this one's a decent price for a thin, strong, simple leather design.

Product Review: Hot Dogs All Dressed Collars

Hot Dogs All Dressed makes leather flat buckle collars in an enormous variety of styles, colors, and styles. They include cat and puppy collars for tiny necks 6" around, and get big enough for dogs with 24" necks.

Photo by Erin Koski

I didn't realized just how many Hot Dogs All Dressed collars I owned until I looked at their website and recognized them all. Brisbane and Ru each have two, and the cats all wore them until recently, bringing the total to seven. Looking at their website, it's not hard to figure out why we have so many. The options are nearly endless. All of our collars were purchased at local stores, the first at Petropolis in Camarillo, and the other six at Pet Barn in Ventura.

Photo by Erin Koski

We would probably have a much sillier range of Hot Dogs All Dressed collars if I had bought them all from the website. Stores can only carry so much stock, and I don't think anyone has enough retail space to display every possible combination they offer. Just attempting to total them up is exhausting. For regular collars there are 20 different length/width combinations, fourteen different colors, and at least 160 different decorations, with multiple different decorations allowed on a single collar. Cat and puppy collars come in 30 different colors with nearly that many decoration options. The company also offers laced collars, leashes, harnesses, muzzles, ID tags and horse halters all in a broad range of colors and decorations. They'll make just about anything in any color/decoration combo.

Brisbane has a 1" wide black leather collar with skull decorations, and a matching ID tag with my parents' address on it. He also has a 3/4" wide brown leather collar with enameled green peace sign decorations. Ru has a black suede collar with red enameled hearts, and a brown suede collar with blue sparkly stars. The cats had one plain purple suede, one black suede with skulls, and one pink leatherette with skulls.

Pros: These collars seem to last forever, Brisbane's skull collar has been around for nine years now. Ru's are still looking sharp after four years of near-constant wear. Really though, my favorite thing about this company is their skull collars, and how many different options they offer.

Cons: The elastic on my cat collars gave out after about four years, and the leatherette one started looking dirty after about three years. Ru's tiny suede collars tend to come unbuckled and fall off when set on the last hole or two. Long people hair tends to get caught under the skull decorations.

Bottom Line:  I nearly bought Briz a purple monkey collar once, but it wasn't big enough. It might be time to make that dream a reality.

Product Review: Authentic Coach Signature Dog Collar

The Authentic Coach Signature Dog Collar is a flat buckle collar made from smooth leather. These are available in a variety  of colors and patterns that change every season. Authentic Coach collars are available in six sizes to fit dogs with necks 6-26" around, though some collars are not available in Extra Extra Small or Extra Large and are limited to 8.5-21" necks.

Photo by Erin Koski

Ru's Coach collar is actually a lucky thrift store find, but it's really quite a nice collar. This is an Extra Small, and it fits a bit big on his tiny 8" neck. It came in its original box, and I thought it was brand new when I bought it, but it has just enough wear to tell me that some other little dog wore it occasionally before it was donated. Oddly enough, I've now found two different used Coach collars in thrift stores with their original boxes. The second one I didn't buy because is was:

1. Big enough to wrap around Brisbane's neck twice.
2. Stinky as hell.

Still, that smelly and extremely worn collar was still neatly contained in its original Coach box. I'm not really sure exactly what the attraction is, but I will readily admit that the box to Ru's collar is safely stowed with the rest of his wardrobe. No, I don't know why I'm saving it either.

The box from Ru's collar has the original price tag which informs me that it came from an outlet store and cost $50 new. This seems a little steep, given the product itself. Yes, it is a nice plain leather collar, and yes, nice collars can cost much more. However, this is a plain collar for a tiny dog, and that is what makes $50 seem a bit much. Most very nice plain leather collars for tiny dogs cost quite a bit less, it's the ones with crystals and pearls and other decorations that drive up the price. Collars in this price range are usually bigger or fancier.

Having seen quite a few old, smelly, and worn Coach collars, I am not inclined to believe that this one is expected to have a longer lifespan, or to look nicer as it ages. I'm pretty sure our WoofWear collars will wear the distressed look better.

Pros: Pretty, stylish, doesn't look like it came from a major chain store. Has a nice little tag charm so everybody knows it's by a high-end designer. Definitely a quality product, and made to last.

Cons: High price tag is primarily for the big designer name and not because this is somehow a better collar. Yes it has custom brass hardware, but I've also never seen a plain old stainless steel D-ring fail, the brass is prettier and not more functional. I believe these collars are also more prone to developing dog stank, and I don't know that they can be adequately cleaned.

Bottom Line: The Authentic Signature Coach collar was nice enough to be worth $20 at the thrift store, but I won't be spending $50-100 on a new one unless I very suddenly become extremely wealthy. I would also love to know who spends this much on a dog collar and then doesn't wash it or the dog.

Product Review: RC Pets Clip Collar

The RC Pets Clip Collar is an adjustable flat buckle collar. It features a plastic quick-release buckle, and RC Pets exclusive trims. This collar comes in five sizes to fit dogs with necks 6-25" around, and is available in 39 different patterns.

Photo by Erin Koski

This is yet another of my beloved RC Pets products in the Maltese Cross pattern. Ours is at least 8 years old and looks fantastic. I really can't say enough good things about this company. Their collars are very popular, I see them all over the place, and I have yet to see one that looks faded or worn. Brisbane wore this collar to the beach many times, and it has been through the washing machine a whole lot. It has even been scrubbed after a particularly horrific roll in a dead sea lion.

A lot of collars with ribbon trim don't hold up very well. We had some very pretty ones that were destroyed when Briz scratched his neck. It shouldn't be a huge surprise, he has very long nails and also allergies that make him itchy. The RC Pets Clip Collar trim still looks amazing though. Brisbane was wearing it before I figured out his food allergy issues, back when he was super-itchy and developing hot spots. If it's durable enough for that, it's durable enough for anything.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pros: Super-durable and highly adjustable with no fading, Sizing stays true and does not slip. Tons of patterns and matching training collars, leashes, and harnesses for big and small dogs. Has a reflective patch next to the leash attachment.

Cons: They discontinued flame print. Honestly that's all I can come up with.

Bottom Line: These are more fun than a plain collar, with plenty of unique patterns to choose from. I love the Maltese Cross pattern.

Product Review: WoofWear Collars

WoofWear collars are decorative leather flat buckle collars that come in an enormous variety of sizes and styles to fit dogs with 7-24" necks. The company also makes matching leashes and cat collars.

Photo by Erin Koski

WoofWear collars are pretty freaking fancy, and they last forever. Guaranteed to make your dog look like a million bucks, the fancier collars come with an equally fancy price tag. I have two Woofwear dog collars that I bought for my dearly departed cocker spaniel more than ten years ago. One of these is currently sitting on the tin that contains her ashes, as a little memorial to my very first dog. The other is big enough for Brisbane, so he gets to wear it now and then.

This collar graced the neck of my beloved Oakley for well over a year before I replaced it with a lighter and thinner collar of the same design. Briz has worn it on and off for his entire life, and it still look fantastic if slightly broken in. I see these on dogs at work all the time too, and they seem to handle water and wear remarkably well. My only complaint is that eventually the lighter pink collars begin to look a bit dirty. My stupidest cat is currently wearing a darker pink PuddyTat by WoofWear collar though, and it still looks amazing.

Brisbane's Classic Heart collar is about as plain as WoofWear gets. All of their designs come in 24 different suede, metallic, cowhide, and leather colors. Classic Collars come in four different widths and 26 different designs that start with a simple row of hearts/bones/paws/dogs/conchos/Texas stars/buffalo nickles and range to heavy combinations of studs, spikes, studs, and grommets.WoofWear Bling Collars combine all of the above with swarovski crystals for a very fancy look. Some styles incorporate pearls and moonstones. WoofWear's TinyWide collars are incredibly fancy 1.5" wide selections for small dogs with 8-12" necks. Mega Collars are 2-4" wide spiked affairs for dogs with 18-32" necks.

Pros: These collars last forever and are of outstanding quality, I have never seen one missing a stud or crystal. They have some very unique designs and a ton of options for a perfectly customized creation. WoofWear products are also widely available, I have seen them in many different stores.

Cons: Holy price tag shock Batman! A crystal-studded Tiny Diva collar for Ru would cost $120, which is why Ru does not have a crystal-studded Tiny Diva collar. Also, not all colors age the same. I have seen some very tired-looking pastel pink and lavender collars. It is important to measure carefully for fit because these are traditional buckle collars and each size only adjusts a couple of inches. I have found the WoofWear leashes to be far too stiff and heavy for my tastes.

Bottom Line: I would have a ton of these if they weren't so danged expensive. I'm slowly outfitting my cats with them because they are amazing for constant wear. If I had to pick just one collar to put on each of my dogs and leave on them all the time, I would definitely pick these.

Product Review: Earthdog Decorative Hemp Adjustable Collar

The Earthdog Decorative Hemp Adjustable Collar is made from hemp webbing with a plastic quick-release buckle and decorative trim overlay. This collar comes in three sizes and 24 different styles. The company makes matching leashes, harnesses, martingale collars, and couplers, as well as solid-colored untrimmed versions of all these products.

Photo by Erin Koski

I love the way Earthdog's collars look, and they are very popular. I see them on dogs everywhere, and the star, crown, and daisy patterns seem to be the most popular. Brisbane's Earthdog collar is a less common pattern, but it is easily one of the most unique and creative. Each of Earthdog's trims is named after a specific dog, and my favorite is called Avery. It is a fabulous twist on the overdone skull and crossbones theme, featuring a dog skull. Totally different, right? I have a coyote skull sitting on my bookshelf right now, and I can confirm that this design is accurate.

Photo by Erin Koski

These collars are very durable, though I did see the leash ring fall off one at work once. The dog in question never had a leash attached to his Earthdog collar, but he did have two extremely heavy tags swinging from is for well over a year before the fabric eventually wore through. I have never seen the trim overlay take any damage, and Brisbane has not clawed his up even with his super-pointy nails.

Pros: Unique and creative designs, machine washable, and made in the USA. These collars also hold their size very well and don't slip wen adjusted.

Cons: Hanging excessively heavy stuff on the leash ring might lead to unnecessary wear and tear, though that could have been a product flaw. I don't believe the owners of that collar ever followed up with the company, though.

Bottom Line: This is Brisbane's default collar. When he's not dressed in My Little Ponies, he's usually wearing his Avery dog skull Earthdog collar.

Product Review: Buckle Down Collars

Buckle Down collars are made from printed nylon and feature a seatbelt-style buckle. They come in a huge variety of licensed prints, and are available in several sizes to fit medium and large dogs with necks 9-32" around. The company also makes matching 4' leashes, and their original product is actually belts for humans.

Photo by Erin Koski

I'm a bit of a sucker for licensed products, I'm a shameless My Little Pony fan. Buckle Down has found a way to capitalize on people like me, and they have licensed a near-infinite number of logos and characters to put on their products. I own two My Little Pony collars, one Space Invaders, one with peace signs, and one with hearts. I also have a matching My Little Pony belt because coordinating with my dog is awesome.

Photo by Erin Koski

I like the metal buckles on these collars. Unlike the ones Planet Dog used to use on their Cozy Hemp collars, these are smooth and flat. The buckles feel strong and reliable, plus they are very light and don't rub coats or chafe skin. The collars come in 1" and 1.5" widths, and the wider ones look awesome on big and wide dogs. The thinner ribbon looks fabulous on my smaller and lighter guys.

Buckle Down collars and belts are a fabulous way to express my nerdiness. They have superhero and cartoon character collars, but they also have internet-famous licensed characters like Grumpy Cat and Nyan Cat.

Pros: Durable web collars come in a zillion different designs, with matching people-gear available as well. Collars hold their colors and designs very well, mine have been on dogs almost constantly since December and look awesome. Comfortable and much lighter than most metal buckles. Easy to adjust and they don't slip or loosen over time.

Cons: These are not great beach collars, the buckle on our peace sign collar is a little harder to open since its close encounter with sand and salt water. Not for little tiny dogs despite the fact that they can be adjusted very small. Ru has an 8" neck and these would look ridiculous on him.

Bottom Line: I now own five Buckle Down collars and one belt, at least one of these items gets used every day. Buckle Down has found a unique way to tap into the fandom market, and I am seriously hooked. I love these collars. The dogs don't mind them either.