5 Benefits of Choosing Handmade Leather Dog Collars

woman with dog on brown leash

Pet parents have a special bond with their beloved fur babies that makes them strive to provide them with the very best all the time.


Handmade, high-quality leather pet accessories, including collars, leashes, and harnesses, are gaining popularity among pet parent circles. As a dog dad myself, I can totally see why.


The reasons range from attention to detail and meticulous stitching to custom-fitting and numerous personalization options that set them apart from mass-produced pet accessories.


Handmade leather dog collars are hard to resist for pet parents looking to invest in quality, elegance, and practicality.


Some of the unique and unmatched benefits of leather dog collars that make them a top pick include their:


  • Durability

  • Safety and health consciousness

  • Customizable nature

  • Comfort

  • Ease of maintenance

Discover why handmade leather dog collars from Popov Leather are a worthwhile investment for pet parents looking to provide their dogs with the best.

1 - Designed to Last the Eternity of Your Dog’s Lifetime

The durability of handmade leather collars is definitely their most desirable feature. That’s because durability ensures value for your money as well as the safety of your furry friend by ensuring the collar doesn’t break or tear easily.


When your pup’s collar is made using high-quality leather, it can withstand daily wear, exposure to water, and other environmental factors.


Hand making locally-sourced leather products involves keen attention to detail, expertise, and high levels of patience for ultimate durability.


At Popov Leather, my team hand stitches long-lasting leather dog accessories for the most energetic dogs from full-grain heritage-quality USA leather.


The collars are held together using Tiger Thread, and the undyed edges are beveled and burnished using beeswax to ensure your pup can use this one collar throughout their lives.


The solid brass hardware is non-irritating to dogs with the most sensitive skins and holds the collar together for decades.


This is not to say that our collars are indestructible, but we’re confident they’ll outlive synthetic collars. You don’t have to worry in case the unthinkable happens, because we give you a lifetime guarantee for every collar or other handmade leather dog accessories you buy from us.


Fact Box:
The best part is that our high-quality, handmade leather collars develop a rich patina as a result of every scratch, sweat streak, bite mark, and environmental condition.


The patina is a beautiful mark of authenticity that tells your pup’s history with the collar instead of showing signs of wear.

2 - Boast Numerous Health and Safety Benefits

The whole idea behind getting a dog collar is to keep your furry friend safe when they’re out and about exploring, playing, training, or exercising.


A handmade leather dog collar takes safety a notch higher because your pup’s name, contact information, and other important details can be permanently engraved on it. 

This makes it easier for someone to identify them and return them to you if they ever get lost.


Additionally, when your dog’s collar is made true to size, the chances of them slipping out of it as they jump around or tug on it are significantly reduced.


I recommend measuring around their neck with a tape measure to get the best size that will fit snugly without being too tight or loose. Ideally, you should be able to fit two fingers under the collar at any particular time.


But what do you do if you’re getting the collar as a gift for a loved one’s dog?

I have a sizing chart put up on the website that guides you on the approximate size based on dog breeds.


High-quality leather dog collars are breathable, unlike synthetic collars, which trap moisture against your dog’s skin. This could lead to skin irritation, allergies, infections, rashes, and itching.


You can avoid all these by getting a handmade leather collar made with natural and organic materials that are free of chemicals and toxins, such as dyes.


Additionally, leather is more flexible than synthetic materials, so it’s gentler on the neck and doesn’t cause strain or injury to your dog’s throat or spine.


You know how you freak out whenever you catch your pup chewing on synthetic dog accessories because they may be a choking hazard or toxic?


You don’t have to worry about the same when you get them handmade leather dog accessories. That’s because leather is not poisonous to dogs, and there’s a minimal risk of choking because of its smooth texture.


The table below compares the features and benefits of leather dog collars against those of synthetic dog collars.


Factors Leather Dog Collars Synthetic Dog Collars
Durability Long-lasting, resistant to wear and tear Prone to breakage, wear and tear
Safety May stretch to prevent choking, can be personalized with identification tags May cause irritation or allergic reactions
Comfort Soft and supple, conforms to the dog's neck over time May cause discomfort and chafing
Customization options Can be personalized with studs, engravings, and other embellishments Limited options for personalization
Ease of maintenance Requires occasional cleaning and conditioning Easy to clean and maintain
Cost Generally more expensive, but offers better value in the long run More affordable, but may need to be replaced more frequently

3 - Can Be Customized to Your Liking

customized black leather collar
Black leather ​​collar

Custom leather dog collars boast a wide range of unique style options that are not available with synthetic collars.


For starters, Popov Leather offers dog parents a chance to choose the perfect color for their fur baby from four natural leather color options, which include Black, Natural, English Tan, and Heritage Brown.


English Tan Dog Collar

Heritage Brown Dog Collar

Natural Dog Collar

Black Dog Collar

These are endowed with matching brass hardware that gives the collars a sleek, minimalist finish.


Hand-making our leather collars also ensures each one has an exceptional visual appeal and individuality. That’s thanks to the great attention to detail we pay when making each unique leather dog collar.


At Popov Leather, we make the collar's size to fit your pup's neck perfectly when you provide us with the measurements. It’s best to check their size when they are standing and again when they’re laying down to make sure the collar will be comfortable in either position.


Expert Tip: You want to go for a thinner collar if you have a smaller dog breed like a Yorkie, and a wider collar for a larger dog like a German Shepherd.


You can have the leather collar customized further by having it engraved with your contact information. We use the durable laser engraving technique that ensures the information you want added is crisp, clear, and long lasting.


Depending on your stylistic preferences, you can have your contact information in a unique font on the inner or outer side of the collar.

4 - Offers Unmatched Comfort

Leather has a soft texture that’s breathable and comfortable against your dog's skin, unlike synthetic materials that can be rough and uncomfortable.


Additionally, the custom fit of dog collars ensures superior comfort, and your dog will continue to enjoy wearing them.


Our collars have notches, which make them adjustable. You can fine-tune them by moving the buckle up or down the notches to ensure they’re not digging into your pup’s skin or irritating them by being too loose.


I recommend checking the collar’s fit and adjusting it, if necessary, on a weekly basis because your pup is growing and leather collars have a bit of stretch to them.


The earthy, deep scent of high-quality leather will have your pup loving it straight out of the packaging, making it easier for you to get it around their neck.


This is as opposed to the pungent smell of plastic and nylon collars that immediately repels most dogs and has them struggling to rip them off.

“The natural leather is not irritating my dog's neck like the nylon collars were. And she looks good with the collar on.”

David R., Verified Customer Canada

Furthermore, with proper care, a well-treated leather dog collar stands up against some rain or splashing without cracking or smelling, which also improves the comfort levels.

5 - Easy to Clean and Maintain

While leather can stand up to splashes, a bit of rainfall, and even improve in appearance as it absorbs some oils and dust to form a beautiful patina, it’s important to be proactive in cleaning and maintaining it.


This keeps bad odors from mold and mildew formation, bacteria, and parasites at bay while preventing the leather collar from cracking.


I recommend washing your leather dog collar every time your pup is getting a bath or after they just dipped it in water during a swim. 


After a swim or being rained on, cleaning is simple, just wipe it dry using a clean cloth and let it air dry.

professional cleaning leather collars
Popov Leather​​ dog collars

But, for deep cleaning, here’s a procedure you can follow:


  1. Wipe it clean with a damp cloth and our natural Leather Cleaner (avoid harsh cleaning products, like vinegar and baking soda, which can ruin the leather).

  2. Leave the leather collar to air dry. Avoid speeding up the process with heat drying, as it may cause the leather to crack.

  3. While the collar is still slightly damp, condition it with our Leather Balm to waterproof it, give it a beautiful shine, and provide long-lasting protection.

  4. Allow the collar another hour to air dry, and, if need be, you can reapply the leather balm for further conditioning.

Bonus Tip: Proper storage is key to maintaining the quality of your leather collar. Store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.

Invest in a Quality Handmade Leather Dog Collar That Offers Style and Substance

If you're looking for a high-quality collar that is both stylish and functional, consider investing in a handmade leather collar for your furry friend.

“High-quality leather, with old-time craftsmanship, gets you a quality product that you are no longer able to buy at Petco or any other pet store in my area."

Andrew Shagal, Verified Customer, Thousand Oaks, United States

Handmade, heritage-quality leather dog collars offer numerous benefits that are difficult to ignore. They are more durable than machine-made collars, offer health benefits, are easily customized, provide comfort, and are effortless to clean and maintain.


Here’s a brief video breaking down the process of making our leather collars:

So, why settle for less when you can adorn your beloved furry best friend with a timeless charm that lets them strut in style and stands the test of time?


Pair the personalized leather dog collars with our matching five-foot-long dog leashes that are sturdy and rugged to withstand tugging and pulling from the most energetic dogs.

Written by Ryan Popoff


Ryan Popoff is the creative mind behind Popov Leather wallets, iPhone cases, belts, watch bands and journals since 2013. With a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts, my leatherworking journey began at home. I wanted to create a simple leather wallet that could fit into my front pocket and — to my delight — it was a hit with family and friends. Hopefully you love our honest, quality leather goods too! Reach out with questions.