Martingale Dog Collars
Martingale Dog Collars
Not all dogs are created equal. Some are big and fat, some are small and skinny. Many have heavy coats while some have barely any fur at all. Some have big heads and tiny bodies and some breeds have small heads and thick muscular necks.
All of these physical characteristics can play part in influencing your decision of what dog collar is best for you and your canine. While your dog’s collar and leash can be a fashion statement, it is best to put function before fashion for the safety’s sake.
These special collars are designed with your dog’s safety and comfort in mind. If a collar is too loose, it will slip off
over your dog’s head. If it is too tight, it will cause discomfort or even physical harm with tension. The cool thing about Martingales is that there is some give and slack designed into the collar.
Browse 100′s of Martingale Dog Collars
You have anywhere from 2-5 inches of slack, depending on the size of the collar and dog. But since the collar isn’t just a circle, the slack
doesn’t cause the collar to hang loose. The slack is built in thanks to a special way of working the material through D-rings so that when you pull on the d-ring where the leash attaches, the slack is allowed to be utilized equally from both sides of the collar.
This allows a much more natural and even tightening of the collar around the neck. This type of collar slips over the dog’s head then tightens around the neck meaning there is no buckle to catch fur or dig into the neck.
Martingales are most popular with greyhounds, but are a great choice for any dog with a small head and thick neck such as dobermans, whippets and Italian greyhounds, as well as other sighthounds.
Martingale dog collars are also available in a WIDE array of materials, color, custom designs, and sizes with many offering personalized options.
Most are made of nylon like a standard
dog collar due to it’s strength and cheapness. Though nylon can fray when it is old, it takes a very long time for these collars to deteriorate.
There are a combination of nylon and chain collars which look very nice. The chain section is at the top of the neck so the dog won’t feel it.
Leather martingale collars are also available. These are very nice looking and add touch of class and style to your dog. The new rage in dog collar material is hemp.
Hemp is more eco-friendly since it is grown in the ground and not a man made synthetic like nylon. There are no plastics to sit around in landfills after you throw it in the trash or harsh chemicals used in the manufacturing process. It is also easy to customize hemp collars with color and designs which also helps make them popular.
If you are concerned about the safety and comfort of your dog, then certainly consider a martingale, especially if your pooch has a small head and a thick neck like a greyhound.
Martingale Dog Collars are a more humane design for a choke style collar. Their design is originated for the breed of dogs know as “Sighthounds”. Greyhounds, whippets and Irish wolfhounds are just some of the breeds in this classification. Their heads are often more narrow than the neck. With a head like that, it is very easy for these breeds to slip out of a standard collar.
They are constructed of two loops. The larger loop (the one that actually goes around the neck) is split and connected to two rings. Another loop is fed through the rings at the end of the neck loop. This type of construction allows for a choke style hold that is limited. By pulling up on the secondary loop, the neck loop is constricted with an even pressure. This allows for more control of the animal.
Despite having been invented for the sighthounds, the Martingale dog collar is useful for any breed. The style of the collar works for any breed since the object is control, not constriction. By having a collar that constricts to the size of the head, just behind the ears, pulling up on the secondary loop provides the owner/trainer with the desired upright head posture recommended by dog trainers.
Materials vary for the construction. Leather Martingale collars can last a very long time with a high quality leather. A lower quality leather will wear at the rings due to constant friction. The leather should be supple enough to allow it to bend easily. It’s also beneficial to make sure the leather is treated to repel water.
Fabric Martingale collars are of a strong enough make for smaller dogs. The small dogs aren’t going to put too much strain on the fabric. Fabric also allows for much greater freedom with color choices and patterns. Only a medium weight fabric should be necessary for a collar sufficient for a small dog.
Woven collars can be very sturdy. However, the nylon can wear quickly, especially if the dog chews on it.
The style of closure for the collar has many options as well. There are quick-release Martingale collars. These are the closure with pronged inserts for a ‘snap’ closer and a ‘pinch’ release. These would be especially effective for a dog being used to actually hunt, as opposed to coursing. Should they get hung on something, a simple pinch can release the collar. Buckle martingale dog collars can also be found.
Proper sizing is very important in the use of this, and any style, collar. If possible, bring your dog to the collar, not the other way around.
Home | About | Contact | Privacy Policy | Sitemap
