Blog

Traditional Stafford Knots

  The "Staffordshire Knot" is the Traditional emblem for putting  onto a Staffordshire Bull Terrier Collar, Lead or Harness. Our items are mostly made to order so you have the choice over the design, just select the leather colour and finish of either Real Brass or Chrome for the Fixtures and Fittings and studs you  prefer on the design. We are proud to offer the Traditional Stafford Cut out Emblem of the “Stafford Knot” on our products together with a choice of Head Studs and English Rose emblem studs. Made to your dog`s given size and your design choice, Fast make up and delivery, we post Worldwide.

Bling In the New Year

Bling in the New Year

We have just received a new delivery of Coloured Studs to add some sparkle and bling to our Show and Check Collar range which include New Amber and Green ones.

We will be working on the New Designs over our Christmas Shut Down and will add them to the Web site for the New Year.

Colours available are -  Turquoise, Pink, Red, Clear, Amber, Green and Blue which are all set in a secure outer Rim in either Brass or Chrome.

we think these look great and are excited to start work on them.

English Bridle Butts

We use traditional English Bridle butts (used by saddlers for Horses) which we purchase as complete hides in Black or Australian Nut (a rich brown) which we feel most compliment the coat colours of the breed we love - Staffordshire Bull Terriers

Each Skin is hand stained and then infused with a traditional recipe of natural oils and tallow (this feeds the leather) by our UK Leather Supplier, this can be seen on the Bridle Butts in the picture.

When an item is being produced most of the tallow/oils becomes worked into the product however a slight bloom may remain on the surface, this is desirable as it is a protective coating for the leather.

Our products are all cut out by hand from the skins (we do not mass produce with cutters). Edges are bevelled, stained and sealed in the traditional manner.

Holidays by the Sea

Our UK  long School Summer Holidays are now upon us and if like us you like to take your Staff with you when you have a Sea Side break or even just go on a day  trip or  live by the sea please be aware that when you go to the beach with your dog that the salty sea water and Sand are not the best things for their leather Collars and Leads. I am sure none of us would think of putting a good pair of leather shoes on to go paddling in the sea but when it comes to our dog`s we tend to forget that their collars will probably get submerged in the sea. Our own Bitch Meg loves to  seaweed dip by plunging her head completely under the waves to grab clumps of seaweed to pull out and destroy  on the beach before going straight back in for more, if there is no seaweed she will try for pebbles under the waves. Although none of our Staffs have ever been swimmers  (some Staffs  will swim) they have all gone in to the sea to belly height after sea weed, stones or a ball and to be honest it is part of the enjoyment of a trip to the beach for us  as I am sure it is for many other Stafford owners.  Salt Water however can  leave your dogs Leather Collar and Lead with salt staining, tarnish the studs and the drying wet leather fast is also a bad thing as it will make the leather hard and dry. There is also the problem with sand which is abrasive and can get into the spring of the trigger hook clasp on your lead preventing it from opening and closing properly, so for these reasons it is probably best to try to avoid using your dogs best leather collar and lead on the beach if at all possible, a cheap nylon collar is ideal for sea use and when you take your dogs leather lead off on the beach  try to put it in to  a bag to protect it rather than putting it directly onto the sand.

The photo is of our own Meg in Cornwall which we have always found to be very dog friendly.

Neck Measurements

We want our customers to receive a well fitting collar which is why it is extremely important that the measurement that is entered at "neck measurement" is correct, please do not make the mistake of entering the overall collar length wanted or giving the size stamped on the end of an existing collar. Collar size cannot be changed once the item has been made.

The best way to measure is to take a soft tape measure and either measure your dog`s existing collar from where the leather starts at the buckle (do not include the buckle) and measure to the hole being used, then enter that measurement, or with a soft tape measure around your dogs neck at the point where the collar will sit, do not pull the tape too tight or have it loose.

Measurements for a check collar are taken differently as the chain section opens up, the measurement for a check should be taken at the smallest point on the neck which will then allow it to pull tight when being used.

As our collars are made to your order selections we make them up for you so we allow for growth if your dog is not adult (under 2 years), please do not add anything to the measurement taken for growth as we will not know you have done this, we have a measurement guide you can refer to should you be unsure or telephone us if you prefer if you have any concerns  or questions.