Questions
Things people ask us
If your question isn’t here, send it to us – we answer everything ourselves, usually within a day.
How do I measure my dog for a collar?
Measure right around the base of your dog's neck – where the collar will actually sit, low down near the shoulders – keeping two fingers flat under the tape as you go. That measurement is your collar size. Don't measure just behind the ears, as the neck narrows there and you'll get a size that rides up under the jaw. If you haven't got a tape measure, a piece of string laid against a ruler works just as well.
How long does a made-to-order collar take?
We make everything by hand once you order it, so please allow 3–5 working days before it's dispatched, and another 3–5 working days for delivery. Nothing is sitting in a warehouse waiting – the BioThane is still on the roll when you place your order. If you need something for a particular date, tell us when you order and we'll say honestly whether it's possible.
Are BioThane collars better than fabric or leather ones?
For a dog that gets wet and muddy, yes, and the reason is the material rather than the craftsmanship. BioThane is a polyester webbing core sealed in a waterproof coating, so it does not absorb water, does not hold smells, does not rot, and cannot go stiff and crack the way wet leather does. A fabric collar soaked in a river stays damp against the coat for hours; a BioThane one is dry as soon as you wipe it. Ours are then handcrafted and finished individually, with solid hardware rather than plated zinc alloy. A good factory collar and one of ours will both hold a hard lunge on day one – the difference shows up after a couple of years of rain and river swims.
How do I clean a BioThane collar or lead?
Wipe it with a damp cloth and it is clean – that is the whole point of BioThane. For something properly caked in mud, rinse it under the tap with a little mild soap, scrub the hardware gently with an old toothbrush and dry it off. It will not absorb water, so there is nothing left drying on a radiator and no wet-dog smell to get out. Avoid the washing machine, the tumble dryer and bleach: the heat is unkind to the coating and harsh detergents dull the hardware.
What size collar does my dog need?
It depends on the measurement around the base of the neck rather than on breed or weight, because dogs vary enormously within a breed. As a rough guide, most whippets and cockers land in a small or medium, most labradors and collies in a medium or large, and most great danes and mastiffs in an extra large. Always measure rather than trusting the guide – and if you fall between two sizes, size up, since every collar adjusts inwards but not outwards.
Should my dog wear a collar or a harness?
Most dogs need both – a collar to carry identification, and a harness for walks if they pull or have a short muzzle. A collar is fine for a dog who walks on a loose lead. Choose a harness if your dog pulls hard, if you have a flat-faced breed like a pug or french bulldog, if you have a small breed prone to collapsed trachea, or if you have a sighthound whose head is narrower than its neck. Whichever you walk on, your dog should still wear a collar with ID in public.
Do you make dog harnesses?
Not yet – harnesses are in the process of being manufactured, so they aren't available to order at the moment. Leads and collars are what we make today. If a harness is what you're after, join the newsletter or drop us a line and we'll tell you the moment they're ready rather than have you keep checking back.
What are your collars and leads made from?
Premium BioThane, with solid stainless steel or brass hardware. BioThane is a polyester webbing core with a waterproof coating bonded over it: it has the strength of the webbing inside and a surface that shrugs off water, mud, river swims and smells. It stays supple in the cold, does not rot, and holds its colour rather than fading out after a wet winter. Every piece is then cut, finished and checked by hand. Exact materials are listed on each product page, since they vary a little between pieces.
What if the collar doesn't fit when it arrives?
Get in touch and we'll sort it out – if the size is wrong we'd rather remake or adjust it than have your dog wear something that doesn't fit. Items can be returned within 30 days in unused condition, and if something is faulty or we've made a mistake, tell us what's wrong and we'll always put it right.
Do you ship outside the UK?
Not at the moment – we only post within the United Kingdom, at a flat £5 wherever you are. We'd rather be honest about that than take an order we can't post affordably. If you're overseas and really want something, email us and we'll tell you what postage would actually cost.
Can I change or cancel my order after placing it?
Usually yes, as long as we haven't started cutting. Reply to your receipt or get in touch as soon as you can, and tell us what you'd like to change – a colour or a size. Because everything is made to order rather than picked off a shelf, there's normally a window of a day or two where changes are easy.
Is a BioThane collar safe for a puppy?
Yes, provided you check the fit weekly, because puppies outgrow collars alarmingly fast. Buy at the smaller end of a size with room to let out, keep two fingers' clearance at all times, and take the collar off when your puppy is crated or unsupervised. For a larger breed it's often more sensible to use something inexpensive until around ten months, when growth has mostly settled, and buy a collar that will then last for years.
How much do your leads and collars cost?
Prices vary by product, and every one of them is shown on the product itself rather than quoted here, so what you read is always current. Browse the shop to see the range, sizes and options with prices beside them. There are no hidden extras at checkout beyond UK postage – the price you see is the price you pay.
What colours do you do?
The colours available depend on the product, and each product page lists exactly which ones you can pick from, with a swatch for each. Our BioThane range runs to a number of stylish, vibrant colours, and because everything is made to order you choose the colour when you order rather than taking whatever is in stock. If there's a colour you want and can't see, ask – we'd rather hear than have you settle.
Do you deliver across the UK?
Yes – we deliver anywhere in the United Kingdom for a flat £5, with no minimum spend and no surcharge for a heavier parcel. Delivery takes 3–5 working days once your order has been made. We don't post outside the UK at the moment.
Do your products come with a warranty?
Yes – every product carries a one-year warranty from the date of purchase, covering repairs for general wear and tear. You'll need proof of purchase to claim, so please keep the invoice that comes with your order: it's your warranty document. If something needs repairing within the year, you pay the postage to send it to us and we repair it and post it back to you free of charge, like for like. This warranty is in addition to your legal rights, which it doesn't affect.
Still not sure on size?
The fit finder takes one measurement and gives you a size, with a note when you’re close to a boundary. There’s a full measuring guide and a breed table on the same page.
Answered by Katie, who makes everything on this site by hand.