Hi all :)

I was wondering if anyone could help. At the puppy class today, the trainer had a wicked lead called a check lead. I'm sure you all know about it, big leather affair with leather lead and collar. I was wondering where I could purchase one of these??? Does anyone know of a good pet shop online or something???

Thanks. :)

CG

Sorry I don't know what you mean, why not ask the trainer. Jackie

I'm not sure what you mean either :), but try looking at www.thingsfor-pets.co.uk

lindsay

No luck on that website, but thanks anyway.

I have a friend who is a saddler who makes the kind of thing I think you're talking about.

If you can't find one anywhere else, let me know and I'll ask her how much.

9th

9th M
I hope you don't think I'm cheeky in asking, but does your friend make dog leads too by any chance?

Debbie

Debbie

Dunno. But if you could e-mail me the exact thing that you're looking for, sizes, widths, fastenings etc., then I could always ask her.

She is v.talented and can turn her hand do most things. But as this is her business and she does everything by hand, anything she made would be more expensive than a mass produced one from the pet shop.

9th

9th M,

I have e mailed you. Thanks

Debbie :D :D

There's a man who goes to most of the North West open shows and he makes his own leather leads and they are really reasonable.

Yes, apparently it is made from the same stuff they make bridlewear from. It's got a lead that loops and a weird collar that stays loose but when you pull it if the dog is naughty it tightens. It's pretty heavy too. I think she was selling it for £29 but if it is that specialist I doubt I could get one for less. And it was really good too :)

CG

That sounds like exactly the thing that Jane made for Rupert (her GSD x. Husky - and a hairy hairy monster).

I'll ask her how much one would cost and let you know.

9th

Kate, any chance you'd ask you friend if she'd make extra-large (wolfhound/male deerhound sized) lined greyhound style collars in bridle leather? One of the saddler's here used to make mine, but he retired, the other saddlers in the area thurn up their noses at the idea of making 'dog furniture' and the hounds' Sunday-best collars are now starting to look a bit tatty.

Sharon

I can but ask her. What do you want them lined with? And how many? It would be cheaper per collar if there was more than one, as she has to make the pattern regardless of how many she makes and that would be the time consuming bit.

Kate

Many thanks Kate. It would be more like a dozen, though not all of the same size, and I'd probably splash out on new matching leads too. The ones I have now are lined with a tough suede like leather. I realise that hand made stuff is going to cost, but well made collars last for ages, and it isn't easy to get nice ones for the very big breeds. If you friend is willing to do the job, I can send exact sizes, plus one of the old collars and leads if that's of any use.

Sharon

I'll ask her if she's willing to do them. Her business partner lives in the borders, so it might be more convenient for Sally to do them, but I'll discuss it with Jane and get back to you.

Kate

Than ks again Kate. Either or would be fine. My e-mail/phone no etc is on my profile.

Right. Jane can make everything that people want. She will sit down and work out how much things would cost to make.

Debbie - red leather is no problem apparently. If you can let me know collar sizes, lead lengths etc. this will help Jane work out costs.

Sharon - can you e-mail me and I'll send you my address and you can send me the collar and lead and Jane can sort out a cost for you.

Thanks.

9th

ok Ziggy is almost 4 months Border collie. I am not fussed about esthetics, as long as the collar and lead do the job and I can gain control over him and teach him to heel etc then that'll do me. Any ideas on the cost???

Cheers

CG

Go on let's ask a dumb question but how do you measure the dogs' collar and know what is the right size??? (Gosh I feel dumb!)

Not that dumb CG :-) The 'traditional' method I've always been told is to use a collar with room for two fingers between collar and neck. But it depends on the dog and type of collar. Some dogs (my old shelties!) are really good at quietly 'backing out' of a collar, then trotting along beside the idiot owner who is holding an empty lead :D. In that case a slightly tighter collar may be in order. A check or half-check type collar will need to be bigger as it slips over the dogs head, and tightens only if the dog pulls away or the owner deliberately tightens it. With the hounds I choose the size of hound collars for the best aesthetic effect, as these are 'Sunday best' and I expect adults to be under pretty good control with or without a collar & lead. But with a youngster or in a situation where I really do want to be sure I have full control of the dog, I use a rope lead - ie a rope going through a metal ring, so making an integrated - and very cheap and effective - combined collar and lead.

Oh Kate, thanks to you and your friend for your help.
I will go to the local pet shop tomorrow and let you know all the details then. I have to go and measure collar size, lead lengths etc. as I do not want it to fit her now (because she is still a puppy), I want it to fit her as an adult, so the lead length will obviously be shorter then as well as the collar bigger.

Thank you again

Debbie

Kate,
I have just e mailed you the sizes. Thanks again.