Why Wool Dog Collars & Leads Are the Next Big Thing in Sustainable Dog Gear
Wool dog collars and wool dog leads are becoming a favourite for dog owners who care about comfort, sustainability, and craftsmanship. After building The Sheep Shed Collection using British wool every day, I’ve seen first-hand how impressive this fibre truly is, so I wanted to share why I chose it and why it’s quickly becoming one of the best materials for dog accessories.
1. British wool is naturally strong and resilient
Most people think of wool as soft… but not necessarily tough.
British wool is surprisingly strong thanks to its natural crimp — tiny spring-like waves in the fibre that give it durability, bounce, structure, and the ability to hold its shape long-term.
What might surprise you:
✅ British wool is one of the most robust natural fibres in the world
✅ It’s naturally moisture-resistant, odour-resistant, and breathable
✅ It performs brilliantly in real British weather (rain, mud, frost, heat)
It’s one of those fibres that becomes more impressive the more you learn about it.
2. My wool comes from sustainable British rope makers who care about farming
The wool rope used in The Sheep Shed Collection comes from:
Katherine, who runs the business, partners closely with British farms and produces natural rope using slow, traditional methods. Her goal is to bring value back to British wool — a fibre that was once one of the UK’s most important exports but has been undervalued for years.
Using her rope in my collars and leads supports:
✅ British farmers
✅ traditional rope making
✅ a more sustainable, local supply chain
It aligns perfectly with what I want Green Dog to stand for.
3. Comfortable for dogs — reduces rubbing and irritation
When wool is woven properly, it creates a soft, flexible structure that sits comfortably around a dog’s neck.
Compared to stiff synthetic collars, wool:
✅ sits more naturally against the coat
✅ reduces rubbing on long-haired dogs
✅ feels warm and gentle in cold weather
✅ softens slightly with use without losing strength
Owners of spaniels, cockapoos, terriers, and sighthounds have commented that wool seems noticeably more comfortable for their dogs.
4. Wool thrives in all-weather walking
British weather is unpredictable at the best of times.
Wool handles it beautifully.
It’s naturally:
✅ temperature-regulating
✅ moisture-wicking
✅ breathable
✅ fast-drying
✅ odour-resistant
✅ comfortable in both warm and cold conditions
It’s genuinely a fibre you can trust for daily walking.
5. Celebrating other British makers using wool properly
I recently discovered Wag & Wool and instantly connected with their ethos. Their knitwear for dogs is thoughtful, slow-made, and rooted in the same sustainability mindset I champion here at Green Dog. We haven’t connected yet, but I’d love to.
Their dog jumpers pair beautifully with The Sheep Shed collars and leads.
I also admire what Connolly do with British knitwear.
You can explore their knitwear collection here:
https://www.connollyengland.com/collections/knitwear
Beautiful materials, traditional techniques, and a real respect for heritage craft. Their approach mirrors what I try to do with Green Dog, creating something with intention, longevity, and a strong sense of place.
Supporting small, considered British makers feels important to me.
6. Bridle leather + wool = the perfect blend of comfort and structure
Every collar in The Sheep Shed Collection is finished with a bridle leather strap that I cut, shape, and edge by hand in the workshop. It’s fully adjustable, made from traditional naturally dyed bridle leather, and de-bossed with the Green Dog logo of Boris. Each collar is completed with a small brass tag, hand-stamped in the workshop, giving it a quiet, recognisable touch that feels personal rather than mass-made, quite literally hammering this home.
The pairing of wool and bridle leather doesn’t just look great, it performs well.
It strengthens high-pressure areas, adds structure, and creates a collar that ages beautifully over time.
7. Handmade in Oxfordshire — not mass produced
Every piece in The Sheep Shed Collection is handmade to order in Oxfordshire.
No factories.
No production lines.
Just slow, careful craft.
I regularly pop up at the Diddly Squat Farm Shop a place that attracts people who genuinely care about British farming and sustainable buying. It’s a brilliant reminder that more people than ever want to support local makers and small-batch production.
And that’s exactly what Green Dog stands for.
Explore The Sheep Shed Collection
If you want something comfortable, sustainable, and truly crafted:
👉 https://www.greendog.pet/collections/the-sheep-shed
Handmade to order.
Built to last.
Full of British character.