Frequently
Asked Questions- What size collar do I need?
- How do I measure my dog’s neck?
- Why leather?
- Do you have colored leather?
- What is your return policy?
- What payment methods do you accept?
- Turn around time?
- What comes included with my Paco Collar?
- Do you use anything other than leather?
- why does the checkout page say "glitter 4 your critter?
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, download our handy .pdf that shows you the correct way to measure.
Use a cloth measuring tape and measure around where your dog normally wears their collar (no slack, and be careful not to choke them). Don’t have a cloth measuring tape? Use a string and then measure it with a ruler.
Why 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.
Paco Collars™ 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, cognac brown, and
mahogany brown). 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?
No returns due to wrong size. We ask that you measure your dog carefully using our detailed instructions given in a PDF downloadable file. If you cannot download our file please measure your dog's neck and send the exact measurement during checkout and we will size the collar for you. Please measure using a cloth tape measure or piece of string and measure for a snug fit. We will make allowances for extra legnth when we make your collar.
No returns after 30 days. There will be a 20% restocking fee on all returned items. Shipping costs are not refunded. The buyer must pay all return shipping fees.
No returns for obviously dirty, chewed on or any other damages which are obviously caused by your pet.
Absolutely no returns or refunds for collars that reek of cigarette smoke!
What payment methods do you accept?
We prefer Payments made through Paypal, a name trusted throughout the World Wide Web, You do not have to be a member of Paypal to to order any of our products.
What is your turn around time?
Orders usually take 6-8 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.
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.
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.
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.
ACK TO TOPWHY DOES THE CHECKOUT PAGE SAY "GLITTER 4 YOUR CRITTER?"
Because Glitter 4 Your Critter is the parent company of all our site and the different items sold on those sites. It is simply easier for us to run all sales through one Paypal account. On your credit card statement your purchase will say "Glitter."
