Hi all, thanks for the welcomes and the offers of help (I'm overwhelmed and would feel terrible guilty if I took anyone up on their very kind offers). I'd already been looking on the Bowstock website, but hadn't come across the Leprevo one, looks like their buckles and D-rings are just what I was looking for.
I didn't realise you could get collar blanks, had a browse and spotted them on the Tandy site. Only 1" ones and I was looking to do matching collars for the dogs and also something softer / thinner. I'll start out with the 1" one and then move on to trying a hound collar. In my mind I know exactly what I want to achieve, whether I'll get there is another question. I was hoping that a thin leather could be hemmed. If not, how to finish off the edges, not managed to find info on that yet.
In terms of contact adhesive, any preferred brands? As in do some retain more flexibility. Saw one on the tandy website specified as waterproof, but is that really so important once things are stitched?
I'm now wondering what leatherworking tools my uncle might still have. He worked with the army horses in the fifties, but sadly is in such poor health now that he wouldn't be able to help me in any practical way.