Product Review: Bella Bean Collar

This Bohemian Paisley collar by Bella Bean Couture is probably ten years old. Can we say durable? It hasn't been on a dog that whole time, but I've definitely seen some stuff that looked pretty aged even in the store. This collar looks brand new! Made from soft cotton web, it has a pretty ribbon overlay. Bella Bean has collars and leashes in an ever-expanding array of prints and colors, made to fit dogs of all sizes.

Photo by Erin Koski

Bella Bean Couture was inspired by a boxer named Bella Bean. We all know how fantastic collars look on short-haired muscley dogs. The creator's second dog, a Frenchie, inspired his own product line. Finnegan's No. 3 Standard Goods have a very different aesthetic to them.

Is this just another ribbon overlay collar? Not entirely. This one is a cotton web material, not nylon. Bella Bean offers both, but their natural fiber collars are the ones that really caught my eye. They also sell one-of-a-kind dog beds made from vintage wool blankets.

My favorite Bella Bean creation is actually their collar patches. Remember earning merit badges in scouts? (I was a third-generation Girl Scout!) These dog patches celebrate your dog's special interest in squirrels, sticks, fire hydrants, or whatever you decide they stand for. Sisci caught a squirrel for me recently, I think she totally needs a squirrel patch.

Pros: Soft, strong, unique, and beautiful. Made in the USA from domestic components.

Cons: The website's sizing information is given in pounds rather than inches, so if you have a really big heavy dog with a super skinny neck you may end up with a collar that's too big.

Bottom Line: I found this collar at a thrift store, and when I met the owner of Bella Bean Couture at SuperZoo I was surprised to learn that they had not made this print in the last decade. The company has been around for 13 years now, so they are obviously doing something right!

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.