A well-made dog collar involves far more than appearance alone. From the leather selection to the finishing details, each stage of the process plays a role in comfort, durability and overall quality.
At LISH London, many collars are created using traditional saddlery techniques and carefully selected materials designed for long-term everyday use.
Selecting the Leather
The process begins with choosing the right leather. Higher quality hides are selected for their strength, texture and ability to age naturally with use.
Vegetable-tanned leather is used throughout our dog collar collections due to its durability, flexibility and more natural finish.
Cutting and Shaping
Once selected, the leather is carefully cut into individual collar pieces. Precision during this stage is important to ensure consistency, comfort and clean construction.
The leather is then shaped and prepared before stitching and hardware are added.
Edge Finishing
The edges of the leather are carefully smoothed and finished to create a cleaner appearance and more comfortable feel against a dog’s neck.
This stage also helps improve durability by reducing rough edges and preventing premature wear over time.
Applying the Colour
Once the leather has been cut and shaped, natural vegetable dyes are applied to achieve the desired colour while preserving the leather's natural character. Unlike heavier surface coatings, vegetable dyes allow the grain and texture of the leather to remain visible, enabling it to develop a rich patina and unique character with continued use.
Stitching and Construction
LISH London uses reinforced stitching techniques designed to improve strength and longevity. Careful stitching helps maintain the collar’s structure while allowing flexibility for regular movement and wear.
Traditional saddlery methods continue to be used throughout our handcrafted leatherwork due to their durability and attention to detail.
Polishing and Final Finishing
Before the collar is completed, the leather is polished and finished by hand. This helps enhance the texture and appearance of the leather while protecting the surface for everyday use.
Over time, the leather gradually softens and develops more character with wear.
Solid Brass Fittings
Hardware is one of the final stages of the process. Solid brass fittings are chosen for their strength, durability and resistance to rust.
Combined with quality leather construction, brass fittings help create collars designed to remain practical and reliable for years of regular use.
Why Craftsmanship Matters
A dog collar is used daily and exposed to constant movement, weather and wear. The quality of the materials and construction can significantly affect both comfort and longevity over time.
At LISH London, collars are designed to gradually soften and develop character over time while maintaining their durability and structure with regular use.
LISH London Dog Collar Review
"I've had a few collars get tatty quickly so thought I'd invest in quality this time. This collar is really well made, with sturdy fastenings and I like the fact that no toxic dyes. The colour looks amazing on my chocolate lab." Dog Mom Emily
