Leather Types, Hardware and Other Collar Options

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General Leather Information
Top Grain Retan Latigo Leather
Premium Wicket & Craig Harness Leather
Ultra Soft Bullhide Leather
Premium English Bridle Leather
Brass, Bronze or Stainless Steel Hardware
Personalized Engraved ID Plate
Luxurious Collar Linings
Edge Stitching and Stitching Color
Adjustment Eyelets
Conchos of All Kinds!
Studs of All Kinds!
Spikes, Two Lengths
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Leather Types and Colors

If you would like more in depth information about the variety of leathers that can be produced by varying the tanning procedure, you should probably visit our Leather Tutorial. Careful craftsmanship combined with a proper leather choice will insure a finished product appropriate for its application. It is important to understand that not all leathers, even of the same type, are created equal. The quality of any leather depends on everything from the nutrition, health and age of the animal from which the hide comes to the care and expertise of the tanner. We would never dream of accepting our leathers "no questions asked" from the tanneries with whom we do business but, rather, we ask lots of questions. A quality hide can be totally ruined by an inept or unconscientious tanner. We seek only the best and will accept only the best leathers from American and Australian tanning masters. The latigo leathers, bridle leathers and harness leathers most local and on-line pet stores and resellers source to their customers are the far inferior leathers imported from India or Pakistan and, in short, those simply are not good enough. We want to provide to you the types of leathers that, once you hold them in your hand, you would prefer not to put them down.

The leather tannages pictured on this page are those most common and appropriate for our dog and horse tack and motorcycle gear. If you have any questions, please be sure to let us know. We're always glad to provide information.

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Top Grain Latigo Leather

Whereas most leashes, collars, and other dog equipment you will find in the pet stores that is made from a latigo leather are either mushy (how's that for a technical term) and too stretchy or else stiff as a board and tough as an old boot, we guarantee you will love our top grain latigo leather. We hand select every hide of latigo we use and pick only those with the best body and snap, proper oil content and silky texture. Our latigo is tanned using two complimentary processes for an excellent end product. First, the hide is vegetable tanned for tightness and strength; then it is retanned using oil to give it softness, a great touch and just the right snap. We're not kidding when we tell you that one of our clients, upon receiving her black latigo leash said, "My gosh, I want to sleep with it!".

first Row: Black, Dark Brown

Second Row: Burgundy, Hot Pink

Third Row: Red, White

  • black
  • dark brown
  • burgundy
  • pink
  • red
  • white
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Premium Wicket and Craig Harness Leather

Wicket and Craig tannery offers some of the finest quality harness leather produced anywhere. We offer all four colors of harness leather the tannery produces. This leather is a meaty substantial leather that is soft, pliable and very kind to the hand. It has great body, minimal stretch, cleans and conditions beautifully, is strong and durable and performs well in most environments.

We offer the Wicket and Craig harness leather in black, buck brown, burgundy and russet in 11-13 ounce weight.

  • black
  • buck brown
  • burgundy
  • russet

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Ultra Soft Bullhide Leather

This very strong, high tensile strength moderate weight leather is so soft you won't believe it. The bull hides, like the latigo leather, are tanned using a dual process but it is done a bit differently. It is first vegetable tanned for toughness and strength. It is then retanned using chromium salts, the same process that gives garment leather and upholstery leather its terrific softness. It is also the chromium tanning that allows the tannery to produce the bright vivid colors. These hides are beautiful, ultra soft, strong, durable and weather resistent. Once you have a piece made of this leather, you'll want more!

Black, Brown, Buckskin, Burgundy, Cream, Navy, Purple, Red, Teal, Turquoise

  • Black and red bullhide
  • Turquoise bullhide
  • Cream bullhide
  • Purple bullhide
  • Black bullhide
  • Burgundy bullhide
  • Teal bullhide
  • Brown bullhide
  • Buckskin bullhide
  • Navy bullhide

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Premium English Bridle Leather

Information regarding our bridle leather will be posted presently.

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Solid Brass, Italian Bronze and Stainless Steel Hardware

Most of the dog equipment that you will find in both physical and on-line pet supply providers include inferior hardware made from nickel plated steel, zinc die-cast or brass plate. It is true that most of the allergy and irritation reactions some dogs have to their equipment is due to the high nickel or zinc content in the hardware metals. If you've made it this far in your tack selection, you will likely agree that a true quality skillfully crafted piece of tack must also include only quality hardware. To have it otherwise would likely lead to a disappointing piece of equipment. Our hardware is never plated but is made from only the best available solid brass, sand-cast Italian bronze and marine grade stainless steel. Regardless of your preference, our hardware will provide the best and longest service with minimal maintenance.

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Personalize! Engraved ID Plates

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Brass ID plate shown on a red latigo dog collar

Your leather collars, leashes and harnesses can be personalized with either a solid brass or satin silver engraved plate. For our engraved flat plates, unless a specific plate size is requested, all plates are of appropriate size for the width of the strap. We will permanently afix each plate to your new leather collar, leash or harness. All engraving is elegantly etched for legibility.

While there is really no set number of characters that can be engraved on each plate, just remember that the more text you want engraved, the smaller the engraving will be.

Item No.: CP-01 ID plate, brass
$20.00 for the first 20 characters; $0.50 per character thereafter
Item No.: CP-02 ID plate, nickeled silver
$20.00 for the first 20 characters; $0.50 per character thereafter

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Luxurious Collar Linings

Go ahead, spoil your dog! Nearly any of our fine leather dog collars can have the beauty and comfort of an elk, New Zealand lamb's wool, calfskin, or kid goat lining added. Each lining is carefully installed with the same meticulous process used in the making of our trophy saddles and boots. A soft smooth collar lining can help cut down on hair loss or skin irritations sometimes suffered by those more sensitive dogs. It can also provide added protection against tracheal or muscular damage for working dogs.

Item No. Description 3/4" W 1" W 1-1/4" W 1-1/2" W1-3/4" W 2" W
CL-2001 Calfskin $15.00 $18.00 $22.00 $25.00 $30.00 $35.00
CL-2002 Elkskin $15.00 $18.00 $22.00 $25.00 $30.00 $35.00
CL-2004 Lamb's Wool $15.00 $18.00 $22.00 $25.00 $30.00 $35.00
CL-2005 Kid Goat $18.00 $20.00 $25.00 $30.00 $35.00 $40.00

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Edge Stitching

Burgundy latigo buckle collar edge stitched in silver

If you love the look of stitching on leather but don't want a lined collar, you can enjoy stitching anyway. Just let us know and we'll stitch your collar in a complimentary or contrasting color. Select beautiful stitching in white, silver, tan, black, brown, gold, gray, red, Black Plum, Hunter green, burgundy, orange or Pacific blue.

Item No.: CO-001 $8.00 Collar Edge Stitching, choice of color

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Adjustment Eyelets

Collar adjustment holes shown with eyelets

Does your dog pull and constantly stretch even the toughest collars out of shape a bit? Adjustment hole eyelets may be the solution to your problem. Securely seated and guaranteed never to come out, eyelets can make your collar even more secure and add an attractive original touch, as well. Eyelets will be done to match your collar hardware selection.

Item No.: CO-002 $3.00 Collar Adjustment Hole Eyelets

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Conchos of All Kinds!

We have many many conchos available. Please call for information. If you'd like to provide your own conchos, we'll install them for you at a charge of $3.00 each. Please call for more information.

Information on our conchos will be posted presently. Thank you for checking back with us.

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Studs of All Kinds!

A collage of studded collars

For a touch of snazz, studs are a great way to dress up a collar, harness or, yes, even a leash! We've got a huge variety of studs from which to choose including flat studs, domed studs, gemstone studs and 3-D shapes, as well. All studs are rivet backed, guaranteed secure and will not come out or fall off. Depending on the width of your collar, one, two or three rows of studs can be installed. If you prefer a specific stud pattern, just let us know.

Stud No. Description Price/Row, up to 18" neck Price/Row, neck 19" and up
CO-031 Flat studs, plain $5.00 $8.00
CO-032 Flat studs, stars $6.00 $9.00
CO-033 Domed studs $8.00 $10.00
CO-034 Gemstone studs $10.50 $12.00
CO-035 3-D Shapes $12.50 $15.00

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Spikes in Two Lengths

Pink spiked collar

Our rivet-back spikes now come in both 3/4" and 1-1/8" lengths and can be installed in many of our collar styles. All spikes are securely seated and are guaranteed never to come out. Depending on the width of your collar, one, two or three rows of spikes can be installed. If you prefer a specific spike pattern, just let us know.

Spike No. Description Price/Row, up to 18" neck Price/Row, neck 19" and up
CO-041 Silver spikes, 3/4" $7.50 $10.00
CO-042 Silver spikes, 1-1/8" $10.00 $12.00

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