Martingale Collars and Buckle Collars: What’s the Difference?
What’s a Buckle Collar?
When you think of a dog collar, most likely what you are picturing is a buckle collar. Buckle collars are generally made of fabric, nylon, or leather and have metal hardware, including a buckle. A variation on the buckle dog collar is the quick release collar. It bears a plastic interlocking snap that you can unfasten by pushing in the sides with two fingers. Both buckle and quick release collars are made of one basic loop.
What’s a Martingale Collar?
A martingale collar is made of two loops. The larger loop goes around the dog’s neck and the smaller loop attaches to a dog leash. When an owner pulls on the leash, the smaller loop tightens the larger one, making the collar fit more snugly. Martingale dog collars are limited slip collars, meaning that they can only tighten a finite amount. This makes the martingale, also known as the greyhound collar, safer than choke chains or full slip collars.
Choose a Martingale Collar for Safety
While buckle collars are most common, often the martingale is the better choice for walking a dog on leash. To be comfortable and safe, a buckle collar should be fitted loose enough so that the owner can put two fingers between the collar and the dog’s neck. But sometimes a collar that is fitted this way can slip off over a dog’s head if the dog stops suddenly while walking on leash. This is particularly true for dogs with heads that are very narrow.
A martingale collar tightens when a leash pulls tight. Therefore, even a dog that pulls back on the leash won’t slip out of his collar. That makes a martingale a safer option for many dog owners who take lots of walks with their dogs.
Linda Fender
Freelance Writer, specializing in Canine Articles
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