British Dog Collars: Why Custom Dog Collars Are Worth It
British Dog Collars: Why I Only Make Custom Dog Collars
I did not set out to start a dog collar brand.
I started Green Dog because I was quietly fed up of buying things that looked nice for about five minutes, then twisted, cracked, faded, or snapped the moment real life got involved.
Mud. Rain. Sea water. Fox poo. Dogs being dogs.
Somewhere along the way I realised I cared less about “trends” and much more about whether a collar could survive five winters, not five Instagram posts. That is where my love of British dog collars, custom dog collars, and slow-made gear really began.
Why British dog collars still quietly outperform mass production
Most British dog collars are made in smaller batches, by people who actually see the finished piece and are happy to put their name on it. That alone changes the standard.
In practical terms, it usually means:
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Better leather or rope
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Slower stitching
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Fewer shortcuts
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Hardware chosen because it lasts, not because it is cheap
A British dog collar is not built to be replaced next season. It is built to softened with time, be worn properly and be repairable.
That is not nostalgia. It is just good making and confident craftsmanship.
Why custom dog collars exist at all
Standard sizing works if your dog happens to fall neatly into “small, medium, or large”. Most do not.
Some dogs have:
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Long necks
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Thick necks
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Narrow heads
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Broad shoulders
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Or they are half a size between everything
This is why custom dog collars exist. Custom collars for dogs remove the quiet compromises. The collar fits how it should from day one. No twisting. No slipping. No rubbing behind the ears after a long walk.
When a collar fits properly, you stop thinking about it, maybe you never take it off. That is usually the sign it is right.
Personalised dog collars without turning your dog into a billboard
There is a version of “personalised dog collars” that feels loud, novelty-driven, and built for photos rather than life. That is not the route I take.
For me, personalisation is about:
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Subtle colour choices
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Hardware that suits the dog’s size and weight
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Materials that match how you actually walk
Sometimes that means bold colour. Sometimes it means undyed wool, dark leather, and quiet brass. Personalisation should feel considered, not shouted.
The part nobody talks about: repairs and longevity
This is the unglamorous part of British dog collars, but it is the most important one.
I repair far more collars than I replace.
Stitching breaks. Hardware eventually wears. Dogs grow. Lives change.
A custom dog collar should be something you can send back, not throw away. Whether I I made the custom dog collar or not I'd love to repair your favourite dog collar & I will accept any challenge.
That single mindset removes huge amounts of waste from the industry, and quietly shifts you out of the fast-fashion cycle, even if you never intended to make an ethical statement at all.
Why I still make everything by hand
Not because it is romantic.
Not because it is scalable–it's definitely not, my hands are testament to that haha.
Not because it photographs well.
I do it because:
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I can control every aspect of the collar
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I can adapt every cm or inch
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I can fix what breaks
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And I can stand behind every piece
If something fails, it lands back on my bench, not in a customer service inbox run by someone who never touches the product or sends you the terms and conditions.
That matters to me.
If you want to explore British-made custom dog collars
If this way of working makes sense to you, you can browse the current range of British-made custom dog collars here:
👉 https://www.greendog.pet/collections/all-dog-collars
And if you are unsure what will suit your dog, you can always message me directly. That is still one of my favourite parts of this whole thing.