Spaniels are renown for their ability to get filthy, in even the most immaculate of places. They're also infamous for pulling, gorging on any food in sight, and finding toys around the house you never even knew you bought. Simba is nothing less than a stereotypical spaniel, who has been known to obliterate collars that are not sturdy enough to stand up to his ridiculous strength, given he barely weights 13kg. The thing that drew me to Salt Dog Studios in the first place, is that I was searching for an attractive, hardwearing, washable collar made in the UK (as I no longer posses the virtue of patience to ship from the USA) that was NOT EzyDog - I was looking for something that would not only suit frolics in the park, but look flashy enough to be worn for special occasions. Made To Last The irresistible mint-green whale design is comical, but is balanced by the sturdy metal buckle to make for a beautiful, multi-purpose collar. The matching lead is equally as robust, and has received comments in the past for being so cute! As we rapidly approach Summer, I feel that this collar is going to become even more of a staple in Simba's 'outdoor wear' wardrobe (alongside his rainbow Devil Doods collar) as the weather warms, and we explore various local lakes and parks. Our SDS set has suffered being subject to almost every type of filth; from sand, to mud, to water, it has survived and is still going strong despite vigorous use. Besides from a small amount of rust on the eyelets, the collar still looks and feels brand new, and the stitching on the lead remains firmly in place although it had been tugged on time and time again. Testing his Salt Dog lead during his first trip to the beach back in late December. He has also worn it do Daycare on more than one occasion, been dragged about by the lead by a cheeky Labrador puppy there, and it is still fully intact. You'll also notice the lovely black brand tag on the lead - one which is also sewn into the collar, and I often struggle to equip the right way up the first time if I fail to check. Comfort The collar and the lead handle feature a soft, velvet layer of fabric that act as a padding, giving these accessories a luxurious feel, as well as providing an essential soft surface for the dog who's wearing the collar, and some protection to the hands of the humans attached to rowdy dogs by the end of the lead. On more than one occasion, I've found myself praising the genius idea that it was to add velvet to the inside of the handle of the lead, when I'd usually be covered in fabric burns from materials that don't feel half as nice as they look. Although this nautical print is no longer available on their website, there are dozens of other designs to choose from, to suit any dog. Overall, I would recommend these accessories to anyone with a similar criteria to us- attractive, resistant, ergonomic and easy to clean. If you've never heard of them before that's because they're not as active on Instagram as they are on Facebook - but they're definitely a company you should start following now! They're the perfect alternative to a brand like EzyDog, for those looking for something just as good but a little more fashionable for their posing pooch.
Milla & Simba
2 Comments
For those of you who do not yet know, a few weeks ago, Simba became a model for the online dog accessory company, R 'n' D Paws, who hand-make fabulous Scottish Tartan accessories for dogs. It's his first modelling 'job', which is nerve-racking yet simultaneously exciting - more for myself than for him, as I challenge myself to be more creative with my photography than I've ever had to be before. We won our collar, bandana and matching bracelet set in a giveaway hosted by the company to celebrate the arrival of the new year. Ever since it arrived in early February, I've been flaunting their stunning products all over Simba's page - it's hard not to, when the bandana suits him so well, and stands out on his glossy white coat like he was born to wear it. I'm not usually one to pick anything red for my ginger dog - but in this case, I am certainly glad I did! The bandana is thick and incredibly well-made, and has withstood being washed three times in the last month due to Simba recently having developed a habit of coating himself in the natural essence of dead woodland creatures. The collar is strong too - the buckle seems to be holding up thus far which has previously been an issue for us - though the D-ring has not made it to today. The endearing little red heart button is a distinguishing feature for the brand, and I thought it was genius. Simple and distinctive, yet an adorable addition to each accessory. That isn't the best part about my collar and bandana set, however. What I appreciate most in an accessory, is it's ability to be washed, and to be able to survive through Simba's obsession with tearing through the holly bushes which we see on most of our local woodland walks. His R 'n' D paws set passes the 'Simba test', though we are yet to test how one of their bow ties will hold up with him. His set has even survived a dip in the lake, and hours spend at doggy daycare. I highly recommend R'n'D Paws for the stylish pooches who suit tartan and tweed. The quality of their accessories are second to none, the vibrant colours thankfully failing to fade despite multiple washes.
You can even use my code 'SIMBA15' during checkout for a 15% discount on your order! Milla & Simba 2/18/2017 1 Comment Devil dood designs CollarsWhen I'm looking for a dog collar that combines style and strength - Devil Doods Designs is my go-to. It's no secret now that I love the company, given I own two of their collars and have promoted them on this site previously. Devil Doods is a relatively new UK company, who opened in November 2016. They hand make a wide range of paracord dog products, in multiple styles and colours. You can customise them to suit your needs, the owner being a pleasure to deal with who answers all of my many questions patiently and helpfully. However, the customer service isn't the only selling point of DDD's paracord products - it's also the fact that the material used is insanely strong, the mega rope style collars (like my rainbow one below) being able to withstand weights up to around 2000kg! With Simba being a strong puller like he is, I have to take extra precaution when choosing collars and hardware to ensure that any accessories I use will not become a safety hazard every time I attach a lead to the D-ring, and head outside. (All three photos below taken from DDD's etsy shop) Not even a few weeks after they officially opened, I ordered myself my first collar from them - a lovely 'Ice Cave' themed Christmas dog collar. I requested the blue as not only is it the best colour that stands out against Simba's fur in my opinion, but I wanted something that was multipurpose. Something we could use all year around, to dive into water with and withstand muddy walks, but attach the little reindeer charm to around Christmas time so I don't feel the need to buy a new collar each year (although I probably will, anyway). The reflective strips woven into the black paracord are also pretty neat, as they help me easily locate my nutty dog in the bushes on our dark, winter walks when I shine a torch in his direction. Unfortunately, Simba managed to break the plastic buckle on this collar so it is used purely decoratively now, but since we wear a slip lead for most walks anyway, this really isn't a problem. This collar would be perfect if Simba didn't insist on pulling me across town like a steam train - and don't let Simba put you off buying from DDD, their collars truly are fantastic! The second collar I acquired was very recent - it's a Mega Rope Style type in rainbow colours. This collar is officially stamped 'Simba Proof'- it withstands his pulling, due to the way it is secured with heat shrink (I think it's that, anyway) and the fact that it would be almost impossible for him to rip the trigger hook off of the O-ring. I simply can't trust Simba with regular buckle collars nowadays, so this collar was a perfect alternative. Not only is it strong, but it is washable, meaning that Simba can wade in the sea wearing it, and I won't have to worry about the colours fading! Overall, we highly recommend Devil Dood Design's accessories. We have not yet tried the leads, but if the quality is anything as excellent as the collars (which I don't doubt they are!) we're certain they'll be fantastic too!
QOTD: Do you have a Devil Doods Collar? What do you think of it? Milla and Simba 2/9/2017 4 Comments My favourite collar companies If anyone knows me, they'll be well aware that I am completely obsessed with dog collars. Therefor, it only make sense that I compile a list of just some of my very favourite dog collar shops. It was a tremendous challenge to boil my list down to just 13 shops, when the majority of my following list on instagram is made up of phenomenal companies creating unique, stunning accessories for the dogs of the world. The following are listed in no particular order - besides from the collars I already own being listed first. 1. Zee Dog - despite the above statement, there is no doubt at all that Zee Dog are my favourite dog company of all time. There's something about their unique designs, incorporating vibrant colours and quirky patterns (Donuts. Pizza. Need I say more?) to create the durable collars they sell. I own two collars, a harness and two leashes from this company, the quality is always fantastic, and the unique rubber logo they include on every product is what sells the brand to me. I'm a sucker for a charm, or something distinctive that makes a brand stand out - and this is exactly what Zee Dog has! 2. Devil Dood Designs - The thing I love about DDD's paracord products, is the fact that they are so customisable. I have a pair of collars from this company, and both times I have been able to alter the base collar to meet Simba's requirements, and what appeals to me. There's almost an endless choice of colours and combinations, and the customer service is simply sublime! There's a range of different styles too, to meet the needs of every dog; be it size, age, or strength, there'll be a gorgeous option for you! 3. Hound Collection - Although these collars are relatively expensive, especially coming all the way from Canada - it is certainly worth it given the fact that these gorgeous lambskin leather collars are handmade, using only the finest materials. The gold-plated logo appealed to me immediately (you'll know why by now) and I was fixated on the idea of buying a collar for months, until I finally caved and did it. The collars are stunning, soft and very high quality (although not the best for a puller!) - It almost feels magical to receive one of these marvelous accessories in the post. 4. Pawllar- These are a personal favourite due to the fact that the thick fabric is extremely strong, but soft on the dog's neck. The designs are charming and adorable, and like Zee Dog include an adorable rubber logo to secure the stitching close to the D-ring. I find this collar stunning, and the company rather underappreciated for their fantastic, high-quality work. These are collars I do not yet own, but aspire to in the future. I highly recommend checking out the following companies - their remarkable accessories, made of all different materials, patterns, and some with such unique concepts are worth at the very least a glance. 5. Mutts n' Such 6. Bramble And Friends 7. 4 Black Paws 8. Walk In The Bark 9. The Hound And Howl 10. Moo And Twig 11. Sotnos Dog Wear 12. Olive And Atlas 13. Broughton And Co. Milla & Simba |
|