Tis the Season! But before you whip out your credit card -

These reviews are for the paranoid among you …er…us. Come on, don’t you feel just a little uneasy plonking down your hard earned holiday cash without at least getting an idea what the rest of the doggy people think of the product? Me too.

Face it, the online world is rife with lurking hucksters waiting to flog substandard items to unsuspecting dog lovers everywhere. Lead based paint on kennels and crates! Thalides in feed bowls and squishy toys! (What is YOUR kong made of?) I thought if we feature a product here every week, you can give your feedback on it so the rest of us can make an informed decision. We won’t gloat at your misfortune if the product sucked and you were ripped off. Promise.

Ok, here’s the first one. I’m a sucker-ette for spiked handmade leather collars, the wider and sturdier and more unusual and gothic looking, the better. Grommets and spikes and rivets and bright shiny pokey things. Bling! The collar collection is growing, GROWING… no wait, these really ARE for my DOGS, honest.

I’ve bought all their leather dog collars from eBay (got a few nice thick nylon ones from the local farmers co-op too) and every purchase so far has been well worth the money spent. The pups got two really classy looking leather collars with silver studs alternating with Swarovsky crystals from Pawsome. Nice quality leather, and we didn’t lose too much of the hardware during pup adventures about the farm. Got a few from an outfit that has them made by an Ohio Amish harness maker, and a great training collar made by Weaver from WorkingDogsGear.

Not saying there’s anything wrong with those Coach leather collars ….other than being downright BAW-RING.

Silverleaf Armory makes some to die for leather collars, all celtic and hand carved with esoteric silverware – hmmmmm, methinks a worthy receptacle for my doglio holiday money. Haven’t actually purchased any of these yet but look at their customer feedback – they are unabashedly adored by one and all!

Look how delicious and richly appointed their red leather collar is. Imagine this on a shiny black coat, say a Dobe or a Rottie or a even a Shimmeraner. Or a cinza fila. Oh yeah. Wide enough at two inches to satisfy even the hogdog lookalike wannabes. Size matters!

Pretty, pretty.

I want one.

Ok, your turn. List your good resources for interesting leather dog collars here that we may all drool and covet and spend lavishly on Phydeaux this year.