Product Review: Braid-a-Roo Custom Tag Collars

These braided kangaroo tag collars were custom made for us by Braid-a-Roo on Etsy. They are very light, and don't irritate delicate coats and skin. These collars should not break hair, and tend to disappear into the fur of larger dogs. As these are custom made, they can potentially be ordered in any size to fit any dog. The leather comes in 17 different colors, with one or two colors used per collar.

Photo by Erin Koski

A while back, I asked some of my fellow dog nerds for suggestions for tiny collars for Ru. A friend pointed me in the direction of Braid-a-Roo and mentioned that she liked them for both big and small dogs.

I never walk either of my dogs on a flat buckle collar, so the vast majority of their collars are worn purely to hold tags. These Braid-a-Roo collars are tag collars, meaning they aren't meant for attaching a leash. The slip over the head and are extra-light because they don't have a buckle. Super-simple, each collar is just a simple, fixed loop.

In order to properly fit my dogs for these non-adjustable tag collars, I had to measure two different things. First, I needed to measure the place on the neck where I wanted to collar to sit. I like these to hang a little lower than a regular buckle collar so I measured down at the bases of their necks. Next, I needed to be sure the collar would be able to slip over the dog's head. I used a flexible sewing tape measure to get the first measurement, and then just held it in a loop while I pulled it over their heads. I did also measure around their heads right over their ears to double-check that the collars would be relatively easy to get on and off.

Photo by Erin Koski

These are without a doubt my favorite collars right now. They look like tiny little strings but are strong enough to handle the occasional grab. The colors are bright, and the collars light enough for extended wear without irritating Brisbane's sensitive skin or rubbing the hair off Ru's neck. When Brisbane has hair, it doesn't even look like he is wearing a collar.

Pros: Custom-made so they are exactly the right size! Super light, super strong, super gentle on skin and coat. So many colors to choose from! Very fast turnaround! I think I received mine in the mail within a week of placing the order. True to size, they seemed a little big until I slipped them on the boys and found that they sat exactly where I had measured. Inexpensive! Less than $20 for a tiny one!

Cons: Invisible on a fluffy dog, so it can be hard to show them off unless you shave your dog.

Bottom Line: Finally, a way to keep identification on the boys without ending up with bald patches on the fronts of their necks! I can't recommend Braid-a-Roo enough, the proprietor responds to questions right away and was a dream to work with.

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?