For the responsible dog owner, control and safety are always a concern. The second your dog has escaped from his collar, you have lost control of your dog. From traffic to an aggressive dog or wild animal, you could very easily find your dog in harms way.
Martingale dog collars, or greyhound collars as they are sometimes referred to, were developed with greyhounds in mind, so that they could not back out of their collars. Sighthounds like the Greyhound, Whippets, Borzoi, and the Italian Greyhound have larger necks than heads, making it easier for them to back out of a traditional buckle collar. Over the past few years, martingale collars have become popular for all breeds of dogs, often being recommended by dog trainers as the humane alternative to traditional choke collars. Martingale dog collars are suitable for any breed of dog, from the very largest to the very smallest. They are the ?gentle choke? dog collar and are perfect for walking, training or for those very active dogs both young and old who seem to find their way out of a collar.
Although martingale dog collars are considered somewhat ?escape proof,? they also have another benefit . Because of the way they are fitted, you will find less matting and bald spots than with a traditional buckle collar and they are more comfortable for your pet. The Martingale collar is fitted to the exact size of the dog?s neck when the dog collar is in the closed position. The martingale slips over the head, so there are no buckles or clips to break or come undone. (If you have a non-sighthound breed, make sure to measure your dogs? head around the widest part.) A properly fitted collar will be comfortably loose when not in use, but when pulled, should be very snug yet not constrict the airway. The martingale dog collar is adjustable to grow with your puppy or to accommodate seasonal coat changes.
All collars present a potential hazard if left on all the time, and a martingale collar is no exception. However, the risk for a martingale dog collar can be minimized by making sure the collar is fitted properly.
