The historical Appenzell region in northeastern Switzerland is famous for its stunning landscape and its deeply rooted traditions and customs. One of these traditions is the creation of saddlery for Alpine herdsman and dairymen. During the cattle drives in the summer and fall, herdsmen wear their best “tracht” (traditional dress), the cows are adorned with beautiful alpine cowbells and the dogs we
ar their nicest collars. Saddlers follow an old tradition of handicraft. In addition to ornamented suspenders, shoe buckles and caps for the Alpine dairymen, they also produce handcrafted belts and dog collars with nickel silver or brass fittings. The dog collars have always been made of cowhide and are ornamented with handmade metal fittings, showing motives of processions to the alpine pastures such as herdsmen, suns, ornaments and cows. Today, there are only a few producers left in Appenzell. Daniel Fuchs, a third-generation saddler who makes the dog collars sold on swissdogcollars.com, is one of these. A lot has remained unchanged: the cutting of the leather and the assembly of the different elements. The nickel silver and brass ornaments follow the personal design of the particular saddler, and are the producer's signature. A trained eye can recognize a Fuchs, Dörig, Fässler or Thoma piece.
