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Dog performance shows have gained enormous popularity in recent years. These shows are no longer reserved for the elite pet owner and breeder.  Families and ordinary pet owners are huge fans of the shows. One does not have to compete in the show to be entertained by the agility and talent of the canine performers.

The first time someone attends, it will certainly be an exciting experience.  Many people become fans by viewing them on television.  But, nothing can prepare you for the thrill of watching these canines in live action.

When attending, you should expect to make friends. Dog show enthusiasts are happy to explain rules and regulations to new comers. They will also ask about your pets. If you decide to leave your beloved dog home, be sure to display pride in your pet by flaunting dog breed ribbon on your handbag.

If you are attending an outdoor show, plan for weather accordingly. Remember to bring a light blanket and jacket if the show may extend into the evening.  A tote bag will be large enough to carry all the items you need for the show. You can add your dog breed ribbon to a tote bag easily with printed polyester webbing.

Many first time attendees opt to leave their pet at home until they know what to expect. Owners of extremely well-behaved dogs choose to bring their pets along. Well-behaved dogs will have the opportunity to socialize with other dogs. Use our dog breed ribbon with nylon webbing on your pet’s leash to lead your dog in style.

Agility and performance events are enjoyable for all ages.  Dog performance shows may feature a Frisbee theme, an agility theme or a speed theme. While some shows are competitive, others are not.  As you attend more events, you may grow to prefer one theme to another.

The main focus of entertainment is the talented acts of the dogs. Don’t forget to watch the trainers as well. If you choose to register your dog in a future show, you will learn handling tricks by watching the trainers.

If this is your first time, be ready for an adventure. There are never dull moments at these events. The talents of the canines are amazing. The energy of the dogs, trainers and fans is exhilarating. Be ready to meet fellow dog enthusiasts and learn why dog performance shows are gaining popularity.

It can be difficult to choose dog collars or dog leashes. It is hard to know what material works best and whether you should be getting the dog collar with the nylon straps or one with polypro webbing. Each of these materials are very different, but they have similarities as well.

Both are beneficial for dog collars and harnesses. There are advantages to both materials. Here are a few differences between the two.

Nylon straps are much more dependable than polypro straps. Why? It is because of strength. Nylon webbing is much stronger than polypro webbing. Nylon webbing has a tensile strength of 4,200 to 5,500 pound per 1-inch width, while polypro only has a tensile strength of 600 pounds per inch.

Nylon webbing is also very durable. Nylon straps will be able to withstand a lot of abrasion and be able to resist mildew, water and UV ray damage. It has a melting point of 300 degrees.

Most fabric-covered homemade and designer dog collars out there are made from nylon webbing, not polypro webbing. Nylon webbing is also a popular choice for dog leashes. Nylon webbing allows dogs and dog owners to feel secure because of the strength nylon has to offer.

Polypro webbing is not as strong as nylon webbing, but it has other strengths that make it a good choice. It is just as durable as the nylon webbing. It is waterproof, mildew and UV resistant, and also melts at 300 degrees just like nylon webbing.

Some advantages that polypro has on nylon webbing is that is less expensive. It is also stretchier and floats in water. Polypro webbing also holds up better under alkaline and acid.

Both nylon and polypro webbing are used in more ways than just as dog collars. Nylon webbing, in particular, is used a lot with boat rigging, luggage straps and climbing harnesses. Nylon straps are often used more because of their superior strength.

Nylon straps are very versatile and have many uses. Since they are made out of nylon, they are strong and resist stretching and abrasion. They also have a comfortable feel.

Nylon bands can be made in any color, and woven into many patterns. They can be very narrow, or as wide as needed. They can even be made to be fire resistant for use by the military and automobile industry.

Nylon straps are used in creating luggage, clothing, footwear, back packs, purses, watch bands, camera straps, dog collars, and leashes; as well as many other things. Strong straps can be used as tie downs to hold luggage on your vehicle. Even large trucks can be seen using heavy duty straps to hold their cargo in place.

Many nylon straps include a slide that allows the length of the strap to be adjusted. Most have buckles for quick attachment and release. With the buckles, another length of strap can easily be added on for even greater length as needed.

Nylon webbing is very useful for pet collars and leashes. With it’s strength, it can be made into leashes of any size and length. Using adjustable slides and buckles, collars can be made that will adjust perfectly to fit your pet’s neck.

Backpacks, duffel-bags or other bags used for carrying heavy items generally use nylon straps in their design. Adding padding to the area where the straps sit across the shoulder increases the comfort for the user. Adjustable shoulder straps make backpacks versatile for use by people of different sizes.

A strap is often attached to a valuable camera so it can be hung around the photographer’s neck. This prevents the camera from damage in case it accidentally slips out of someone’s hands. Most camera bags are also equipped with similar straps that can be worn around the neck, shoulder or waist.

You can see that nylon straps have many uses and great value. Their design depends on the purpose they are intended for. Their use is limited only by your imagination.

Sometimes, one article is not enough to relay all the information pertaining to a subject. That is the case with the recent column about Martingale collars and half check collars. The debate about the different types of choke collars was the subject but there was not space to discuss the proper fit and position of these types of collars, which is a very important aspect of using Martingale and Half Check collars.

In summary, Half check collars and Martingale collars are variations of choke collars that are considered to be more humane that the chain choke collar. These two types of collars were originally designed for sight hounds, such as Greyhounds, Whippets, Italian Greyhounds, Bolzoi, Saluki, etc., which are breeds that have necks larger than their heads, but prevents any dog from backing out of a regular collar.

Half check collars, or half choke collars, are usually made of leather or nylon webbing and chain, while Martingale collars are made totally of nylon webbing. Both of these specialty collars have a two-loop design that works by tightening on the dogs neck when it is trying to remove its head from the collar, but will loosen again when the dog stops struggling against it. The unique, limited closure of the half check collar and the Martingale collar prevents it from becoming too tight. However, the fit and positioning of each of these collars is extremely important.

The Martingale collar, which is usually made of nylon webbing, has two loops. The small loop, also called the control loop, has the dee ring which is the attach point for the leash. The Martingale collar is adjusted with the second loop which allows the collar to be tightened or loosened to fit the dog perfectly. A buckle can be added to the collar so it can be buckled around the dog’s neck.

To properly fit and position the Martingale collar, slip it over the dog’s head and pull the collar up right behind the ears of the dog. The collar is adjusted here because this is the point where a normal collar slips over the head. The control loop should close when the dee ring is pulled. The two hardware pieces attached to the control loop should be a minimum of two inches apart or the standard two-finger allowance. The two pieces should never touch. If the two pieces touch, your collar is too loose.

The Half Check Collar is similar to the Martingale except part of this collar is made with nylon webbing or leather and the other part is chain. It also has two loops that have the same functions as the Martingale collar. The control loop on this collar is the chain which is a circle. The dee ring is in this circle of chain and is also the attach point for the leash. This chain is also attached to the webbing or leather part of the collar with metal rings. The adjustment loop is in the part of the collar that is webbing or nylon.

As with the Martingale collar, the half check collar is positioned and fit in the same manner. When the dog pulls or tries to slip this collar over its head, the chain slides through the rings, tightening the webbing around the dog’s neck. The chain itself never tightens around the neck. The dog only feels the webbing or the leather. The distinctive clinking noise also serves as a training tool as the dog pulls against the Half check collar.

When learning how to properly fit and position these two collars, it becomes apparent how similar the Martingale and the Half check collars to each other. These collars work virtually the same way to control breeds that would normally be able to slip a regular flat collar over its head. Also, it is apparent that these collars are a more humane way to control dogs that the plain chain choke collar or the prong collar. The owner of the dog must be knowledgeable about these collars and how to use them so that no injury comes to the pet.

Welcome to Country Brook Designs’ new blog. It is designed to assist our customers in locating that specific item among the numerous products on our website. New blogs will be posted weekly to spotlight new products, along with descriptions and uses. Of course, we will also highlight any specials and sales offered.

The basic component of our business is webbing and the corresponding plastic and metal hardware, so it is always good to have a discussion about the differences between nylon webbing and polypro webbing. Cotton webbing can also be added to the conversation as well. The variety of webbings available can be somewhat overwhelming when trying to decide between them. Each of these webbings has advantages and disadvantages and specific uses so let’s get to the core of this debate.

Nylon webbing is the strongest and most durable of webbing straps. It has a tensile strength of about 4,200 to 5,500 pounds in the 1-inch to 1-1/2 inch widths. Tensile strength is the average breaking point of the webbing under factory conditions. This webbing is extremely abrasion resistant. It is also UV and mildew resistant as well as waterproof. It has a melting point of 300 degrees.

Nylon webbing is used in many projects including climbing harnesses, parachute straps, boat rigging, animal leads and dog collars. Backpacks, luggage straps, belts and handbags can also use nylon webbing. Nylon straps are required on any project where weight-bearing is essential for safety. Nylon webbing is used as the core of our fabric-covered designer dog collars and leashes to make sure our family pets are safe. For more information about dogs and the collars needed go to American Kennel Club (akc.org).

Polypropylene webbing, or polypro webbing, is a good webbing but not as strong as nylon webbing. It has a tensile strength of 600 to 1000 pounds depending on the width. Polypro is light-weight but is not as abrasion resistant and durable as nylon webbing. Polypro webbing can be used for the same projects as nylon webbing, such as harnesses, boat rigging, dog collars and leashes, to name a few, but is also great for belts, luggage straps and harnesses for lighter weight objects.

Polypro webbing is UV resistant, waterproof and mildew resistant. Polypro webbing and nylon webbing have the same melting point of 300 degrees. Polypro webbing has some advantages over nylon webbing. It is stretch resistant, even in water, and will float on water. It is more acid and alkaline resistant than nylon webbing.. It is also more economical.

Cotton webbing is softer and easier to sew on but does not have the strength of nylon and polypro webbing. Cotton webbing has military and space applications when the elimination of static electricity is needed, and is used in belts, canteen straps and name labels. It can also be used in belts, luggage straps and purses. Cotton webbing, as well as nylon and polypro, is used in upholstery projects, such as weaving seats and repairing straps under chairs and antique beds.

Most projects using nylon webbing or polypro webbing are in plain view so appearance is also a factor. There is a large variety of colors in both nylon and polypro webbing even some multi-color and neon which can be seen in light. It is available in the most popular colors with several shades of pink and blue, as well as green, yellow, orange and the basic white and black. There is also a variety of widths and lengths available.