It's been dubbed 'ruff justice' – where dogs are turned into glamorous accessories. And it's a step too far for some dog lovers. Canine couture has seen the normal dog collar taken to abnormal extremes with designer labels like Gucci offering dog collars you'd have to remortgage your home to afford. The trend for dogs to be fashion accessories is very much linked with Hollywood starlets when they began carrying 'toy' dogs such as chihuahuas in their handbags. The dogs were dressed to match their owner's outfit. Time was, a dog collar with a pattern on it was quirky enough to express personality, but these starlets went the full hog with doggy goggles, high-pedigree street wear including Burberry coats and the Gucci dog collars and leads.

But the main purpose of dog collars is to be sturdy and practical. Dog collars need to be durable more than fashionable. If your dog lost his collar, he'd lose his dog tag; if he got lost, it would make him that much harder to be found without an identifying tag. And of course dog collars are essential for leads to attach to. That doesn't mean you shouldn't have a bit of fun with dog collars. Dogs are, after all, an important part of the family for many of us. But most pet owners would draw the line at high fashion for their pets. Some animal experts consider the trend of using dogs as fashion accessories cruel. Some celebrities will invest in dog collars studded with pearl, crystals and gemstones, but once more, such dog collars aren't putting your dog's best interests at heart as a stray gem can pose a potential choking hazard to the dog.

When you're looking for dog collars, you should consider practical considerations and put your dog's well-being first. Nylon and chain dog collars for example are comfortable, safe and perfect for training your dog. Dog harnesses can be crucial for those dogs that are harder to control to help the owner when walking. And dog collars that glow in the dark can be great for locating your dog on nocturnal walks, and keeping him safe making him visible to traffic. It's fun to have the odd gimmick for your dog, and you can buy stylish dog leads that are practical too. But don't go barking mad (the current designer doggy wear includes bizarrely, pyjamas for dogs featuring snowmen). On the whole, the luxury dog collars and accessories will attract obsessive dog owners with big bank balances (the Paris Hilton ilk). In America, there are dedicated pet boutiques to cater for the toy dog craze, but it's thought that reputable breeders refuse to bred toy dogs because many are frail and have many medical problems. Pets should never be an accessory; dogs can live up to the age of 15 and investing in a dog should never be taken lightly – certainly not because they're fun to dress up.

Collars and Tags specialise in identity tag products. We use the correct machinery, knowledge, time and patience to produce deeply engraved metals, plastics and embossed metal tags. Where an id tag is subjected to a lot of friction, as is usually the case with a dog tag, we recommend one of our hallmark methods - deep engraving or embossing. In addition to our wide range of dog tags, we have a selection of high quality dog collars, dog leads and harnesses, and cat collars from leading brands. Have a query? Email: info@collarsandtags.co.uk or call us on: 01628 778955

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