The double d-ring feature tends to be one of the more complex choices we see folks make when shopping for a collar. So, we decided to help out by writing a bit about the pros & cons.

What is an extra d-ring? This is a feature we offer where a secondary d-ring is placed at the center/back of the collar, which ends up being at the top/center of the collar when the collar is being worn by your dog. This d-ring is in addition to the primary d-ring that is made into the collar by the buckle like any traditional dog collar. Double d-rings are added by affixing the d-ring in between the base collar and top layer with Chicago screws on our double layer collars. On our single layer collars we use a small piece of leather on the inside of the collar riveted into place to hold the second d-ring (example = Princess Collar).

PLEASE NOTE: We can add or remove the extra d-ring feature from any collar design!

The PROs of adding an EXTRA D-RING:

You paid for bling, so keep it front and center! The extra d-ring feature allows you to keep your collar "forward facing" while using a leash. This means you do not have to spin the collar around to use a leash, the buckle will stay down under your dog's chin and the bling will stay on top where you can show it off!

If you use a training tool such as a prong collar, Halti, Gentle Leader or other head harness device, we suggest "backing-up" your gear in case your training tool gives out. We have a whole blog post about this topic; BABY GOT BACK-UP. We also make a few leashes to help with backup - Easy Backup Leash & Double Ended Leash.

The CONs of adding an EXTRA D-RING:

On smaller sized collars/dogs we suggest skipping the extra d-ring because it just takes up too much room. Again, you are paying for bling, so the more space we have for the collar design the better. Some of our smaller collars have been designed to accommodate the extra d-ring, such as our Prana and Princess collars, but for most smaller collars we say SKIP IT!

Multiple dog homes my want to consider dropping the extra d-ring in the name of safety. While we have never heard of a dog getting caught up on another dog's extra d-ring, it seems like it could happen. Just something to think about if you have multiple dogs. Again, our dogs wear double-d collars and have never had a problem, but you know your dogs best and should consider your dogs' activity trends when choosing the right gear.

Safety first! If you have a ranch dog or dog that spends a great deal of time outside unattended we suggest NOT adding an extra d-ring. With working breeds it is best to keep things low profile to mitigate any possibility of the collar becoming caught on something while your dog is working or running around outdoors.

Form over function... We try to work the extra d-ring feature into the design on most of our collars, but sometimes it is just nice to see a design without that big fat d-ring at the top of your collar. Extra d-rings are a great tool, but if your dog spends most of the time off leash while wearing the collar, we say skip the extra d-ring and rock the full design!

In an ongoing effort to bring you the best products, we are enhancing our measuring recommendations for ID Tag Holders. ID Tag Holders were originally designed to fit like a doggie necklace, loose and low on the neck, slipping on and off over your dog's head fairly easily. Seems simple right? Well, the more ID Tag Holders we've made the more we've realized that different breeds have different head to neck ratios, so we have decided to start asking for your dog's head measurement too. 

Normally we size our ID Tag Holders by taking your dog's neck size and adding 2-3" in overall length depending on the general size of the dog. This upsizing allows the collar to fit on and off over the head since there is no clip or buckle on this style of collar. When giving us your dog's neck measurement you DO NOT need to add in this extra length for us, that will only confuse the process and cause you to get a collar that is MUCH too big for your dog. Yikes! 

In order to capture your dog's unique shape, when ordering any of our ID Tag Holders, please let us know your dog's neck and head measurement (at the widest point). You may also let us know if you prefer the collar to fit snug or more loosely. Please do remember that these collars are hand made and we are working from your information. We will do our best to ensure the fit you desire but we ask that you accept some variation in sizing/fit on products that are non adjustable. 

Take a look at these guys; this is the same ID Tag Holder on 2 different sized dogs. As you can see, the collar on the left is a tighter fit, sitting higher on the neck than the collar on the right. The collar on the right is how our ID Tag Holders are intended to look/fit, but please feel free to let us know if you would like a tighter fit as shown here on the left. 

We've said it before, but we'll say it again; we don't make novelty quality collars! We design our collars with longevity in mind. We don't offer themed collars because we want you to spend your money on classic, timeless designs you won't get sick of. We only use materials we have tested over time and know will hold up and be safe for your dog. We build our products to last and to be repaired if necessary.

We know you love bling! But honestly, the more bling the more delicate a collar is. The Jewels and stones we use are very durable, but nothing is indestructible. Over time we expect to see a collar wear, in fact, we think our collars look even better with a little wear. But, occasionally we see a jewel blowout or a stud jump ship. These things just happen, it's life, and we are here for you! We will repair and refurbish your gear any time!

If you own one of our collars and just want to send it in to have the leather cleaned, edges re-dyed, sealed and conditioned, be our guest! We would love to help you renew your love! Just shoot us an email to hello@karmacollars.com to let us know you are sending it in and be sure to give us your return address. We fix and reship your repair and refurbish collars within 24 hours of receiving them in our shop.

Want to keep you collar in the best condition possible at home? If you have an extremely dirty collar you can clean the collar with some saddle soap and a toothbrush, then rinse under cool water. Blot the collar dry then let it fully dry before applying a coat of leather conditioner. Most collars can simply be conditioned without being cleaned first. We recommend Fiebing's Weatherproof or Aussie Leather Conditioner. Just massage on a little conditioner, let it soak in for a few minutes, then wipe the collar down with a cloth to clean the conditioner off of the studs and bling.

The coolest thing about leather is that your dog's natural oils actually help it stay sealed and conditioned! Don't get crazy and over clean your collar, just a little conditioner a few times a year should be all you really need in most cases. Enjoy your gear!

Because this is a touchy subject we ask you to understand that this is our philosophy only; we are not trying to persuade anyone or say we are right. We have been asked to make vegan or vegetarian collars many times and rather than shy away from the obviously controversial topic we have opted to remain open about our philosophy.

As the owner and founder of Karma Collars, I was personally a strict vegan for 7 years and many of my friends still are. In fact, I still don't eat beef, funny huh? The reason I decided not to offer vegan collars, and also a major reason I stopped being vegan, was because of the heavy reliance on synthetic petroleum and/or plastic based "alternative" materials. We do not offer vegan collars or any faux leather collars because we are committed to offering plastic free products. In our experience, most affordable "leather alternatives" are often made from non-renewable resources, which take a lot of energy/processing to make, and do NOT biodegrade - thus making them extremely bad for the environment.

All of our leather comes from the American food industry; it is a byproduct and would otherwise be "trash" if we did not use it to make products that last a lifetime. It is my belief that using a natural byproduct, as our main material, is a more conservation-minded choice than using new, man-made materials made of heavily processed plastics.

By making products that last for years and years we are doing our part to keep a bunch of cheap junk out of the landfills, especially a bunch of synthetic dog collars that will never biodegrade. We think a lot about how many dog collars a dog goes through in his/her life and how most of those are made from nylon/plastic/etc. - that is why we have made a conscious choice to make leather products that last a lifetime. Not everyone will agree with our philosophy, and with every choice we make there are obvious pros, cons, and counterpoints. Our decision to make high quality leather dog gear is intentional and we don't apologize for it. We believe that the intentions, craftsmanship, and overall message of our company contributes far more good to the world than bad, and we feel pretty darn good about that!