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A Brief History of Dog Collars

Dogs have been man’s best friend for centuries. Proof has been found of domesticated dogs as early as 5000 B.C. As soon as man began to appreciate his canine counterparts, dog collars began to be introduced. Representations of dogs wearing collars have been found in Ancient Egyptian ruins dating back to as early as 3500-3000 B.C. These early dog collars, which were often made of leather containing the names of dogs such as “Brave One,” “Reliable,” “Antelope,” and “Useless,” are a good indication of the purpose of dog collars throughout the centuries, but they do not foreshadow the collar’s fashionable future.

In ancient Greece and Rome dogs often wore spiked and studded collars to protect the animal’s neck against predators, as dogs were often used to defend livestock. In addition to their practical purposes, dogs throughout ancient Greece and Rome were also good companions. In fact the relationship between dog and owner was often so intense that Caesar is said to have rebuked citizens for giving more attention to their dogs than their children. This devotion is evident in the fact that a dog found preserved in the ruins of Pompeii was wearing a collar that had a message inscribed on it expressing its owner’s appreciation to the dog for saving his life.

Collar
/Victorian pierced brass collar with jagged edges decorated with dog and 'CM', dated 1844, height 2 1/2in. (6.4cm), diameter 5 1/4in. (13.5cm), $2,000-3,000 /

Throughout the middle ages the use of the spiked collar to protect dogs that were needed to protect livestock was also a widespread practice. Dog collars were a symbol of status for the upper classes, so ornate collars made out of precious metals and stones were prevalent. Beginning in the 1500s the middle class began to expand in Europe; this meant that dogs were no longer the sole domain of the wealthy and working classes. Because of this increase in pet ownership, affordable collars were needed. Thus, leather collars without much ornamentation were the norm for most dog owners. During this time period, the padlock collar became quite fashionable. This collar contained a padlock on a hinged piece of metal to which only the owner had the key; this meant that if there was a question of ownership, the real owner could prove his claim by opening the padlock.

In the 1700’s silver, gold and brass collars with engravings became the fashion. These collars often displayed the name of the owner and sometimes had witty sayings carved into them. The most well-known etching was on the collar of a puppy presented to the Prince of Wales by poet Alexander Pope that read “I am his Highness’ dog at Kew, pray tell me, sir, whose dog are you?” Today, the use of dog collars is often practical as in the past, but it is also still a symbol of personal style and status as labels such as Juicy Couture, Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Gucci have created their own dog collars.

At this year’s Barkfest at Bonham’s Charity Brunch on Sunday February 8th, you can get a personal glimpse into the rich history and evolution of dog collars as a collection of antique dog collars featuring over 40 collars from the 16th to the 20th centuries will be on display. Or you can can bid on a collar the auction on the following Tuesday at Bonham’s Auction House. You can bring your canine companions with you to share in culinary delights and appreciate artistic marvels at The Barkfest at Bonham’s, held in Bonham’s beautiful new galleries located at 580 Madison Avenue, between East 56th and 57th Streets, on Sunday February 8th from 10am to 12pm. Admission is a $50 donation to The AKC Humane Fund Inc., with reservation by phone, or $60 at the door. All proceeds from the Barkfest at Bonham’s benefit The American Kennel Club Humane Fund, a 501 (c) (3) charity which promotes the joy and value of responsible pet ownership through education, outreach and grant making. To reserve a spot on the RSVP list, please call the AKC at 212-696-8277 or go to www.akchumanefund.org <http://www.akchumanefund.org/> for more information. Immediately following the Barkfest at Bonham’s is the AKC Open House from 12 to 4 at the AKC headquarters located at 260 Madison Avenue. If you would like to attend the AKC Open House you can call 212-696-8300 to RSVP for the event.

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