Could use some advise with making a dog collar - measurments.

[Diomedes Industries]

I have been asked by some friends to make a dog collar or three for their dogs. They live out of state - so I have a measurement for their dog's neck - but I am a bit at a loss as to how long to make the collar itself.

I am SURE you leather benders have done this before - so a How To Link or advice on the process would be great.

What I HAVE done in the past is simply taken their old dog collars (usually cheap nasty leather) and stripped them for their hardware and made a mimic of that collar - but being out of state I don't have that luxury - any help would be great.

TF

 

[claude scott]

I would think do it like a belt end of buckle to the most used hole

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Agreed - but I don't know what is the 'most used' as I don't have the dog or the collar here! I have a neck measurement - I want to make sure I do it right - do I just put in 5 or 6 holes and shoot the middle for actual neck measurement to give some leeway?

TF

 

[Brisket]

I would measure the well fit collar of any dog of the same size range and compare it to it's neck measurement for a pattern guideline. On my one of our small dogs, the neck measures 9 1/2", the collar measures 10 1/2" from the strap end @ buckle to the hole used (last hole) and the entire length of the strap is 12 1/4". The fit is based upon the traditional 2 finger gap between the neck and the collar. Finger size naturally varies and one of my sausage fingers roughly equals 2 of my wife's finger, but the idea is to just allow some breathing room. A dog's neck circumference varies considerably from the base to just below the head, so it is important that the neck measurement is at the point where the collar would ride. On a mature dog I don't see any reason to allow more than a two adjustment punches on each side of the target hole. The dog I measured is still a pup and about to be fitted for a new collar since he is on the last hole.

 

[cschol]

Could you have your friends measure an exesting collar and take a few pics laying next to a tape measure for you to get a better idea.