The Artful Canine Blog

A Few Tartan Plaid Dog Collars

I am a sucker for terrier dogs. I just love the way they look. Terriers are very athletic in both their behavior and physique. And I love the way they are groomed – at least those that require regular grooming (Staffordshire, Rat and Jack Russell Terriers are, of course, exceptions). Most terrier grooming styles require a tight cut around the neck, back and upper chest and a gradual shift to longer hair on the body and legs. This streamlined grooming style draws attention to the neckline and shoulders, making a terrier the perfect backdrop to a stunning dog collar or dog harness. By stunning, I don’t mean loud or bright. A terrier can wear beautiful fabrics in subtle colors, so long as they compliment their coat color. I know this sounds corny, but all it seems to take to dress up a terrier is a really nice dog collar – no clothes required!

Baxter in his Rose Tartan Dog Collar & Harness by The Artful Canine

For those of you that shop my online store, you may have noticed that I use Mini-Schnauzers for my models. Those Mini’s are my furkids, Max & Tilde, and were the were the inspiration for my Charming dog collars. Their neckline offers a great backdrop to a dog collar with a charm because the charm really pops! Believe me, if I had any kind of terrier – Airedale, Kerry Blue, Wheaton, Westie or Scottish Terrier, I would be equally inspired.

So what type of collar looks best on a terrier? Plaid dog collars are an eternal favorite, probably because of their origins. Most terriers hail from the highlands, of which plaid fabrics come in hundreds of different patterns and represent many family names. Most folks with Scottish Terriers look specifically for plaids, and it is not uncommon for a Scottie’s owners to buy plaid dog collars exclusively because of the popularity of plaid on this breed.  But plaids have grown in popularity among all dog owners. Take, for example, the Burberry Plaid. Influenced by the Blackberry Plaid, Burberry dog collars are highly sought after by dog owners seeking a designer look for their dog.  So it goes without saying that plaid dog collars are are smart, stylish, and are a breath of fresh air when compared to your everyday department store dog collar.

As many of you know, The Artful Canine offers a huge array of plaid dog collars. We have two new plaid tartans coming soon (Douglas & Black Watch), so bookmark our Plaid Dog Collars page if you are in the market for a new dog collar!

A plaid dog collar, harness and leash in "Menzies" tartan.

Plaids have been around forever, yet they continue to be trendy and have broad appeal. Almost everyone has something plaid in their wardrobe. In the dog world, plaid is high on the fashion charts. Sadie the Scottish Terrier and Westminster’s “Best in Show” Dog has revived the plaid dog collar to fashion status again. While historically worn by terriers, a plaid dog collar looks smart on just about any dog.

A plaid dog collar somehow transforms a dog from ordinary to extraordinary. Have you ever watched a dog being walked in a plaid dog collar and leash? There is something about the way they look that makes you think; “That’s a beautiful dog.” I wonder if a dog feels that vibe too, because they to seem to walk with a bit more bounce in their step when sporting a smart looking plaid dog collar or dog harness.

Everyone seems to associate plaid with red, however there is a wide variety of plaid colors and patterns.  These patterns originated as regional distinctions in the Scottish Highlands, and then evolved into representations of Scottish clans – so there are many tartan plaid patterns in existence today.

The Artful Canine plaid dog collars come in a variety of colors and prints

Tartan Plaid Dog collars have been around for a long time too, but seemed to have lost their visibility with the plethora of other designer dog collars on the market. While you can find a dog collar in almost any size, color, fabric and print you can imagine, plaid dog collars are a little harder to come by. Some retailer’s offer collars as plaid, but they are often just checked or cross patterns, and not true tartan plaids. However at The Artful Canine (shameless plug here), you will find a great variety of plaid dog collars, harnesses and leashes in red, blue, black and pink plaid patterns.

For those of you that like to “Artfully Dress” your dog, s/he should have at least one plaid collar in their summer wardrobe – Scottie or not!