- What size collar do I need?
- How do I measure my dog’s neck?
- How do I measure for a Martingale?
- Why leather?
- Do you have colored leather?
- What is your return policy?
- What payment methods do you accept?
- Turn around time?
- Barter policy?
- Donations?
- What comes included with my Paco Collar?
- Do you use anything other than leather?
- Do you make spiked collars?
What size collar do I need?
Our collars are based on actual neck size, not collar length. For instance, if you have a dog with a 17″ neck, you’d order a 16″-18″ collar. Better yet, give us your dog’s exact neck measurement in the “notes” section during check-out and we’ll make it fit perfectly.
For belts, simply take a cloth measuring tape through the belt loops of your favorite pants. Don’t be alarmed if this size is 2″-4″ larger than you expect, that’s normal… no need to rush out and begin the diet (yet).
With wrists, babies, or anything else, remember that a flush measurement is best and, when in doubt, give us the true size to work with and we’ll make it fit perfectly!
How do I measure my dog’s neck?
Simple. First, check out our handy guide that shows you the correct way to measure.
Don’t have a cloth measuring tape? Use a string and then measure it with a ruler.
If you own a growing dog or you *do* like a super loose fit to your collar, no worries. There will be plenty of chances to communicate with us whether it be in the “notes” section during check-out or in subsequent e-mails so we can collaborate to make sure your dog gets the fit that you prefer. Also know that we are fairly lenient with exchanges for standard designs, so long as collars have not been worn or stamped with your dog’s name. More on that later…
If you want to get the measurement from your dogs current collar lay it flat and measure from where the material folds at the buckle post to the hole that it is worn at, like photo below- 16″ neck.
How do I measure for a Martingale?
Most of our collars can be made into a Martingale by adding the Make Me a Martingale option to your order.
Why leather?
Why not?
No, just kidding. There’s actually a very good reason our products are leather.
Basically, leather is the most natural material for your dog to wear. Not only is leather the most similar to your dog’s natural chemistry, but also, over time, oils from their skin mix with the leather to produce a collar of buttery texture. Well-treated leather will not irritate the skin nor break the hair shaft.
Historically, leather has been proven to be the best material for animals to wear. All service dogs (Seeing Eye dogs, Canine Companions, etc.) are required to wear leather as well as hunting dogs on the off-season. And let’s not even get into horse tack.
On an environmental note, leather is a natural material that is biodegradable. Of course it is also sturdy enough to last years and, perhaps, generations, so it is the quintessential “non-disposable” product and actually becomes cost-effective in the long run.
In the same vein, it’s a little known fact that most American raised leather is actually shipped overseas to China for processing where tanneries are allowed to use more toxic chemicals, then shipped back to America. Because we feel this is not an ecological process, we purchase our leather from a single family beef farm in Mexico, it is processed on site, and then distributed through their branch in Oakland, California. The result is that we know the source well and can monitor the quality first hand. It may cost a few more pennies per square foot, but it’s a small price to pay for leather that lasts longer and is kinder to the earth.
Here, at Paco Collars, we not only start out with the highest quality latigo leather on the market, but we also treat the leather ahead of time with oil, cream and wax, which will ensure the life-long health of your product.
After care is simple. In fact, if you never do anything to your product it will stand the test of time. Go ahead, get it wet (Paco goes swimming in his collar all the time), get it dirty. If you need, wipe it off with a wet rag. If your dog rolls in something truly disgusting, use dish soap. If you think it’s getting a little dry, use any leather or leather shoe conditioner to bring it back to its original state, but we’ll doubt you’ll have to do that.
When you hear “leather collar,” don’t think “Suede Jacket”…we make things with functionality first, fashion second.
Do you have colored leather?
We work exclusively with the best latigo leather on the market and, unfortunately, it only comes in a few shades (black, brown, and tan). It’s the same grade leather used for fine horse tack.
Colored leather is usually of a poor quality (a rotting house with a new paint job will still fall down).
Quality means everything to us, so to ensure your collar will stand the test of time, we sacrifice color options.
What is your return policy?
We’re pretty adamant you get the collar that is perfect for your dog so we’re pretty open about exchanges and repairs. However, due to the custom nature of our products, and the man hours involved in creating them, we cannot offer refunds. If you feel that you must return the collar, we will be happy to donate it to a needy shelter and/or rescue dog. (But we still can’t refund your payment)
If you choose to get any custom name stamped on your collar, you forfeit your exchange option. We offer a resizing service for $25 plus shipping on a case by case basis.
All we ask (nay, beg!) is that you double check the size you’re ordering and make sure the width will compliment your dog.
If you have any questions at all regarding what will look best on your pet, contact us at info@pacocollars.com and include an image of your dog and coat length. We’re pretty good at figuring out what styles compliment different dogs (we’re breed nerds). Heck, it’s what we do for a living!
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept credit cards (and anything else) through PayPal, checks via snail mail, and cold hard cash.
We also accept other payment methods that we’ll get into later…
What is your turn around time?
Orders usually take 2-3 weeks from the point we receive your order and verify payment to the time it hits your eager little hands. In certain instances, we can meet quicker deadlines, and we do offer a RUSH upgrade, but the custom/handmade nature of our products necessitates a certain amount of production time.
If you’re one of those people that has-to-have-it-now! you can always pop on by the shop or give us a call with your dog’s neck size and some preferred styles and we’ll see what we can do.
Barter policy?
Basically, if there’s a Paco product you’ve decided you just can’t live without, but are also without cash flow, we’ll work with you because we believe in the oldest form of currency: barter. Have something you think we’d like or a service to offer? Make us a deal. Why, we’ve bartered for photography, tattoo work, editing services, food, taxes, garbage bills, beer, haircuts, meds for Paco, labor…you name it and I bet we’ve traded for it. So, go ahead, try us.
Do you make donations?
We’re open to donating goods to rescue groups or fundraising events. Keep in mind, though, that we don’t have a lot of back stock so preference is given to groups we’ve worked with before or causes in which we really believe.
Please feel free to contact us. Preference is not given to groups with the most PR, but groups with the best cause.
Also, feel free to check out a program we started with Fetching Tags called Stray Gold. It allows non-profits to raise money year round and for you to donate to groups when you make a purchase from either Paco Collars or Fetching Tags.
What comes included with my Paco Collar?
Your Paco Collar comes with a lifetime of free repair. Of course, we’re banking on the fact that you’ll never need it, but should something break, we’ll repair or replace your product.
That said, know that we do have limitations…if your dog chews its collar to shreds, we can’t fix that, but any repair resulting from product failure will be taken care of. This offer doesn’t extend to paint jobs, carving work, and a handful of pre-fabricated decorations (like the Milan Hearts). However, even those are covered should any of the hardware fail.
Also note that the tan colored leather does vary greatly from hide to hide, and may turn quite dark over time. You can prevent this by removing it before your dog goes swimming or does something particularly dirty, and then it should retain its color for years to come and break into a lovely light brown shade.
Lastly, and there’s no gentle way to say this, when your pet goes, we will turn your product into a memorial bracelet for free. Just send us the collar and your wrist size, and we’ll make you a wearable memento.
Do you use anything other than leather?
Well, yes and no. We don’t carry anything other than leather to produce collars, and we feel leather is the best product for your animal (see “Why Leather?”).
That being said, we will make products from substances other than leather if a) they are provided by you and b) we feel they would stand the test of time (we will not make you a felt collar…it will fall apart in seconds).
If animal rights are an issue, just know that Paco Collars is vegan endorsed (well, by the vegans we know and/or live with…who’s dogs wear leather Paco Collars) and almost half of the Paco Collars work force is vegetarian.
Additionally, we’ve worked really hard to find the most ecological leather source available and we recycle all of our leather scrap (given away to local artists and non-profit art co-ops) as well as the rest of our waste. In fact, there’s a whole company based on our scrap: Hoof and Horn Leather
Yeah, we’re so PC it hurts to say it.
Do you make spiked collars?
We can, but we prefer not to.
This company began on the premise that there were no decently made leather collars on the market that weren’t spike-laden (historically rooted in sheepherding/wolf-offending roots, spiked collars are often quite well made).
Out of sheer necessity, we began designing collars for bully breeds that were strong yet stylish…who says you can’t have the best of both worlds?
That said we’d be more than happy to create a spiked collar for your little beast, provided you have the best intentions.
