Debbacowhide is a brand of HADEKS, a family company in the rug and hide trade since 1963. We have been importing Brazilian cowhides since 2005 and today bring in about 6,000 hides a year. This page explains where the hides come from, how a cowhide rug is made, and how to tell a genuine cowhide from a faux one.

Where do our hides come from?

Our hides come from certified tanneries in Brazil. Cowhides are a by-product of the meat industry: no animal is raised or slaughtered for its hide. Using the hide gives a durable, natural material a long second life instead of letting it go to waste.

How is a cowhide rug made?

A raw hide becomes a rug through tanning, the process that turns perishable skin into stable leather. In outline:

1. Preservation and cleaning: the hide is salted and cleaned to remove residues.
2. Chrome tanning: our hides are chrome-tanned, which makes the leather soft, flexible and durable while keeping the hair on.
3. Drying and softening: the hide is dried and worked so it lies flat and feels supple.
4. Finishing: the edges are trimmed and the hair is brushed.

When the hides arrive in Istanbul, we measure each one at its widest and longest points, photograph it from every angle and give it a serial number.

Are the colors natural?

Yes. All our cowhides are natural, undyed hides; the brown and white, black and white, gray, beige and tricolor patterns are the animal's own coat. The only exception is our zebra print rugs, where a zebra pattern is printed onto a genuine hair-on cowhide.

How to tell a genuine cowhide from a faux one

• The back: a genuine cowhide has a suede-like leather back. A faux rug has a woven or rubberised fabric backing.
• The hair: on a real hide the hair varies naturally in length, direction and sheen. Faux fur is uniform.
• The shape: a genuine hide has an irregular natural outline. Faux rugs are often perfectly symmetrical.
• The pattern: every genuine hide is unique. If the same pattern appears on many listings, it is printed.
• The proof: each Debbacowhide rug has a serial number and photos of that exact hide, so you can see exactly what you will receive.

Frequently asked questions

Is a cowhide rug real leather?

Yes. It is the animal's tanned skin with the hair left on.

Are animals killed for cowhide rugs?

No. Cowhides are a by-product of the meat industry.

Are your cowhides dyed?

No. All colors are natural, except our zebra print rugs, where the pattern is printed on a natural hide.

Questions? Contact us. See also our care guide and price guide.