Leather dog collar or Nylon dog collar

There are a couple of items that every dog should have — a collar of some sort and a leash. There’s such an assortment of dog collars and leads (leashes) available it can be rather overwhelming when making a choice. Here are some guidelines to follow when making your selection.

Dog Collars

How Heavy Should the Collar and Leash Be?

Generally, the collar and leash you choose is merely a matter of personal preference. The most important thing is to remember is to get a collar that fits properly, and a leash that is neither too heavy nor too light for the dog you have. Every pet should wear a collar with an identification tag that gives your name, address, and phone number.

Getting the Proper Fit

That depends on the size of your dog. A large, strong dog can easily break a collar or leash that is lightweight, so they need a heavier collar and leash. Smaller dogs, on the other hand, don’t need to carry around a heavy, wide collar and leash.

For your dog to be safe and comfortable, the collar must fit correctly. Here’s the rule of thumb (or should we say finger?):

Place two fingers between the dog’s neck and the collar; there should be no more than the width of those two fingers between the neck and collar. Any looser than this and the collar could slip over the dog’s ears. Check the collar occasionally to see if your dog has any redness or hair loss under the collar.

Choosing the Type of Collar For Your Dog

Buckle Collars

Buckle collars are overall the best choice of collar for most dogs in most situations. Puppies should wear only buckle collars or harnesses. Buckle collars come in a variety of colors, are made with various materials, and even come in styles that make a real fashion statement!

Nylon Collars

Nylon collars are good for dogs that are in water a lot. Nylon is very durable and washable, and come in a variety of colors. Many owners like to get matching collars and leashes, and some owners even like to match the color of the collar to the color of their dog’s coat!

Leather Collars

Leather collars wear well and are very long lasting. Collars also soften from the oils in your dog’s skin. Rolled leather collars (round instead of flat) are designed for longhaired dogs and keep the hair from lying flat against the coat.

Training Collars

Training collars such as “choke chains” and “pinch” collars are meant to be used for training purposes ONLY. There is a right and a wrong way of putting these collars on and should only be used during a training session by experienced hands. They are designed to briefly tighten and apply pressure when the trainer is delivering a correction. Never leave a dog unattended with one of these collars on as they may cause injury or strangulation if the collar was to get caught on something. Never use a training collar as your dog’s everyday collar, and never put your dog on a tie-out with a training collar.

Leather  Dog Collars, Nylon Dog Collars, Crystal Dog Collars

Designer Dog Harness with Swarovski Crystals

Harnesses

A harness is placed around the dog’s chest and ribcage, and therefore eliminates the potential for choking. These are popular for dogs that tend to pull while they are being walked. Parti Poodle Express reccomends using a harness type collar for all poodle puppies up to the age of 1 year.

Simple Dog Harnesses

Fancy dog harnesses with Swarovski Crystals

Camo dog harness