A small history on dog collars, dogs and folks go way back in history. Even before we had cows, trained birds we had our doggy buddies. The old world and new world have dog remains buried somewhere near there masters. This goes back over 10,000 years. But what we have an interest in is when did we begin to use a collar, or decorate and restrain our dogs.
We'll check out dog collars from the traditional into the post-modern, and see how history and our changing attitude towards our animals has influenced just how we collar our puppies and dogs.
Nearly everyone is aware that Egyptians loved cats but guess what? They had dogs to, even though dogs weren't kept inside the homes as often as cats, they were more often revered as symbols or gods. Dogs were not considered pets they were more of hunters and protectors. History tells us cats were mummified with their owners but so were there canine hunting companions.
At the peak of the ancient Egyptian civilization, training included the use of spiked or studded collars and leashing, however studded collars alone had been in use for many dogs by people for years. Spiked and studded dog collars of this type were considered a work of art themselves.
Farm dogs in Greece were used and they wore collars much like the spike-studded ones their medieval successors wore. Sheepdogs required to be white so that they were visible at nighttime, they got a leather collar studded with nails, this was called a melium. This sort of collar provided protection for the sheepdog while he was guarding the sheep from predators like wolves. The collar protected his neck so it was difficult for the wolf to bite him there. A definite advantage for our doggy friend.
Just like many owners today the Greek farmers like to have their dog fierce for protection but not overly aggressive. They wanted them to be tough enough to guard them from intruders but friendly enough so they might not turn on themselves. Back then they preferred the sheepdogs to be white however the farmhouse dogs needed to be black so they could hide from the intruders.
The olden Greeks as well as the Egyptians continued to fawn over their dogs just like many civilizations after them. In cities, the little friendly dogs were called Alopekis and they were constant companion of kids and the ladies. Plus they were known to herd tiny flocks of geese and any other animals the family was raising.Its said that in ancient Rome doggy devotion was so intense that Caesar needed to scold the people because the paid more attention to their dogs than to their children.
Back in the Middle Ages, dogs were used as shepherds and hunters. Plain leather was used for collars when the dog was used for boar hunting or hare hunting. The collar was an identifier and a way to connect a leash when the dog wasn't hunting. Interesting is the fact that when hunting, the people used a stick on the collar instead of a leash, most likely to hold the dog from getting close to them because they were so fired up.
It was late 1700 that the decorative collars began to become the norm for the privileged pooch. New technologies in silver, gold, brass would fashion and stamp or engrave beautiful collars. Collars bore the name of the owner, rather than the dogs. This was the simplest way to have your pet returned to you.
Now today designer collars are a huge marketplace for the dedicated puppy lover, flashy colors, expensive baubles and personalization are as well-liked as they might have been years ago.
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