Dog Collars for Comfort

We all want our Canines to be comfortable, but often it’s easy to end up picking a collar based on colour and price, and not really thinking about how it will affect your dog. If your dog has ever had problems with neck sores, bald patches, or even pulling on the lead then the collar may have been to blame.

Ill-fitting collars

Dog collars should be tight enough to not come off, but not so tight as to be restrictive. The ‘two finger rule’ is the best guide – you should be able to easily fit two fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck. With some buckle type collars you may be limited to a choice of too big or too small, both of which can cause rubbing and irritation. For other collars you may be able to adjust the size manually.

Many dog owners will decide that a certain style suits their dog, whether it is a thick leather collar, or patterned webbing, but you need to find a collar fits properly as your main priority.

Width

Dog collars come in a range of widths, with the basic rule being that narrow collars are for smaller dogs, and wider collars for larger dogs. You can easily tell if a collar is too wide as you will see that during normal movement it is restrictive or obviously rubbing. Too narrow a collar could cause discomfort when walking, especially if your dog likes to pull.

The Pros and Cons

Depending on your dog, the different types of collar will have different pros and cons.

Leather: A leather collar looks stylish and traditional. You may think that as it is a natural material that it should not cause irritation or allergies.

Some dogs however do react to leather, so if you are trying leather collars for the first time be sure to check regularly for any signs of skin irritation.

Leather can be quite stiff initially, but should not be so stiff as to cause rubbing. Don’t be tempted to ‘wait until it’s worn in’, if at first it is causing discomfort, as you will be causing your dog to suffer.

Any irritation, even once the collar is worn in, could still be sensitive and the collar could continue to rub on these sensitive areas.

A stiff leather collar can be treated with leather conditioner (check they are suitable for use with animals – any designed for equestrian tack should be fine) until it reaches the desired level of softness.

Once the collar is on and not causing any problems, the warm conditions of being close to your dog‘s body should keep the leather soft and supple.

For long haired dogs especially, a round, or rolled leather collar doesn’t squash their fur flat so allows their skin to breathe, lessening the risk of irritation and matting.

Nylon: The most common collars are made from Nylon webbing. These are lighter than their leather equivalents and often cheaper too.

The synthetic nylon can cause allergic reactions though, so as with leather be on the lookout for any signs of irritation if you are trying a nylon collar for the first time.

Webbed nylon collars are often fully adjustable, meaning you can ensure that the collar is the perfect size for your dog. As a synthetic material however, nylon can be rougher on your dog’s fur than a natural material, and there are many ‘lined’ collars available. Collars are often lined with neoprene – the same material which is used for wetsuits - which is soft and less abrasive than the webbing alone.

Nylon Aerospacer is a new material which is soft, lightweight and quick drying. Spiffy Dog are the only manufacturers to use this material to make dog collars, with the Air Collar which claims to be the most comfortable dog collar in the world. The quick drying properties of this collar make it ideal for active dogs, and also prevent the warm damp conditions for bacteria to multiply and cause irritation.

Hemp: Hemp is being used more frequently as a natural alternative to nylon. Although more expensive, a hemp collar is a good choice if nylon, and even lined collars are causing your dog discomfort.

Hemp collars appear almost identical to their nylon counterparts but are made from all natural materials and are free from bleach and artificial colourings.