The breeder said the collar I got my sheltie puppy was too big, it will stop his blaze growing properly. I brought a very thin collar after that, about as thin as a cat collar but he seems to itch alot with it on. I still worry it will affect his blaze plus he's going to grow out of it. I was thinking of one of those half check collars (certainly not to choke him),  one as size too big (so when a leads on, it just goes to the size of a normal collar with no choke). Would this work?  Then again it may drop off him if he escaped the house, hmm.

If any one has any ideas I'd be very, very grateful. Also where to buy the collar, maybe theres a place online?

My dogs wear rolled leather collars made by a friend they do not damage the cavaliers coats & are fitted for that they cannot be pulled off over their heads. My puppy BC Roy is wearing one of their old ones until he grows out of it(I am a get one for recycling)

I don't know if they would be suitable for a sheltie I think it's what my friends shelties wear

A rolled leather collar is what was always recommended to protect the coat. 
My Rough Collies wear an ordinary fabric collar with their names attached and a I use a slip lead for walking them.  Years ago, a determined youngster, impatient to join the others for a run in the park, slipped out of a well fitting 'normal' collar, so I always walk on slip leads.

I had rolled leather collars for my Cav and American Cocker - until the new puppy arrived and ate them!! Now they wear normal cheap collars for their walks and nothing at all in the house. I don't like them being without collars in case they escape, but I have no option as the puppy just eats them all the time!! I have spent a fortune on new collars since she turned up as if I forget to take them off as soon as we get home she ruins them!! Grr! :-)

I have a very heavy coated Beardie boy.  He allways wears a half check collar with his tags for identification and a slip lead for walking (silly name really as he can't slip out of it).  The half check collar has reduced breakage of neck hair to a minimum.  My Beardie girl, who has the more traditional harsher coat wears a standard leather collar.

I have found a picture of a half check collar but it is very expensive.  Mine were bought at the local pet supermarket and cost less than half the price. http://www.hideandcollars.co.uk/collar1.htm

I have long haired breeds and found that even half checks can break the hair around the neck so mine wear soft padded fabric ones indoors and I slip half checks on them only when they are going out for a walk.

Accolade Leather (they do have a web site if you do a search) do some beautiful leather adjustable half checks if you decide to go down that path.

I have 3 shelties and I too was worried about spoiling their coats with a collar.  I opted for them only to wear their collars during the day.  They wear just ordinary type nylon ones but taking them off every night seems to stop any coat damage.  Must admit it's not always easy putting them on when you have a dog with a mane that would give a lion a run for its money. 

I only have my puppy on a collar with his tags and the others just use slip leads so they don't need them. I usually remove collars when i can trust the dogs not to run out if the door is accidently open but its risky.

Yup rolled leather, or one with padding that sticks out further than the edges of the flat leather. I personally prefer a flat collar for walking dogs on as it spreads the pressure on the neck (and i dont show, id rather risk a flattened coat slightly than a damaged neck!)

Ive found some of the softer nylon collars fitted looser dont break coats (but tight they do, even on my saluki x who doesnt actually HAVE much coat to speak of!), and im working on a prototype soft suede collar to see if that will break coats or not (gonna test on a friends cocker spaniel and english setter).

Em

Our sheltie has a small nylon one hes had it since he was a pup its a very adjustable one and ive not noticed any damage to his coat, its a very soft one as its quite thin - it was just one from pets at home and it does up with a little plastic buckle

I have a soft nylon collar for my bc in the house and had no problems. Then a half check for when hes out walking.
I would never leave a half check collar on at home when i'm not around as too many stories of dogs hanging themselves on doors or trapping themselves. The quick click nylon ones are great as they have a safety clasp which will break if put under heavy pressure.

With more than one dog in the household, I think if unsupervised, collars should be removed.
My three never wear collars in the house and garden (property is very secure.)

Some years ago , I met someone who had lost her dog through strangulation whilst wearing a collar and playing with her other dog. Like lots of things , the risk is probably small, but a chance I prefer not to take!

I advise my new puppy owners to think very carefully about collars if they have other dogs and most people say it is not something that would occur to them.

I put a half check on my new dog as he had a habit of slipping his collar and it pulled out loads of his ruff. He doesn't do it anymore and now has a plain flat leather one, although I have also heard the rolled ones are best. Mine only wear them when going out though. 

Mine all have round leather half check collars made to measure by accolade leathercraft http://www.accoladeleathercraft.com/ and Elkhounds have thick double coats with neck ruff.

I've also done very loose chain collars (NOT CHOKE) , these work well too for tags.

The half check collars look excellent- I have tried this type before but not in leather.
Brainless, you should be on commission! Such good looking products, I have just placed an order for collars and leads for my gang. Thanks for putting the link up for us.

Always been pleased with them and their service.  Peggy Grayson years ago mentioned that she had met tehm at an Open show.  Everything is handmade.

I too use a half check adjustable leather collar on my beardie boy, but I had it made especially for me (sorry, can't remeber the name of the stall, they were at supadogs last year, but I am sure any leathercraft place could do it). I had the chain part of the half check replaced with another loop of leather as I found that it was the chain that used to cause the damage by getting tangled.

>thick double coats with neck ruff.

That's probably the difference then, my collies ruff is very long and fine, which is possibly why is all got ripped out. :)

Glad you found some nice collars for your dogs, how much did you spend, and more importantly, how much did you admit to spending? ;)

How much did I spend? More than I intended and and a LOT more than I told OH!!!

Buying on the net does't feel like spending REAL money!!!

I think they wre £10 each, may be £11 now.  So £50, but I don't have to justif7y my spending to anyone but my bank manager :D

I too rate accolade as they are always very well made and fast service :), btw can anyone reccomend a good leather cleaner / oiler to treat my show set with? 

Have today received my order from Accolade, I only placed it Tues evening!

Leads and collars are beautifully made and and very strong.

Enfielrotts,
you should always clean any leather products with a good "saddle soap", i have always popped into a saddlers and bought it from there, a popular make will be carr day and martin (as they have been around for donkeys years).
After a good clean they should then be lightly oiled with neatsfoot oil again readily available from a saddlers.
hope thats of some help.
Donna

I had my collar and leads especially made for my Briards by a saddler. They have half check collars and good strong leads that can be made shorter by clipping them into the metal loop to reduce the length, mainly for street walking. They were very expensive but I know that I won't need to ever buy them new ones ;)

I give mine a good clean twice a year with saddle soap and then oil them as they get discoloured with the elements.