How You Can Choose The Best Dog Collar & Leash For Your Large Breed Dog
Large dog breeds are majestic, charming, gentle, and loving. Their appearance and demeanor make them popular among pet owners from all walks of life, with many going so far as to fit a large drooling great Dane into a tiny apartment.
However, you still need to overcome many challenges when it comes to large dog breeds. They need space, have specific hygiene requirements, and require the right gear and accessories like collars and leashes to keep them safe, obedient, and disciplined.
Collars and leashes might seem like mere accessories, especially considering the variety of materials, styles, and colors that you have available in the market, but few people understand just how important a collar is and what it does to help both you and your dog.
With a plethora of options available, it can be a daunting task to find the perfect fit for your "big bundle of joy". But don't fret, our comprehensive guide is here to help you understand the nuances of different types of collars and leashes, and how to choose the right one for your large breed dog.
Why Does Your Dog Need A Collar?
Collars aren't just to make your dog look good. While they do make for a fashionable statement they serve practical purposes as well.
The main purpose of a collar is to help with identification. Your dog’s collar is the best way to let people know that it's owned by someone and isn’t a stray.
You can mention your details on the collar tag or sew a small piece of cloth with your details written on it. You can also buy personalized quality engraved tags, license tags, photo tags, QR tags, and more with all your contact details engraved on the tag itself to offer safety, longevity, and style.
If your dog is out in public without a dog collar it can easily find itself prey to an oblivious dog catcher and taken to an animal shelter or worse - stolen.
However, with a dog collar on, with your details mentioned on it, even if your dog gets lost or wanders off there is no risk of it being taken to the pound.
As soon as someone notices a dog with a collar wandering about without its owner their first instinct would be to check the collar for the owner's information and get in touch with them immediately.
This is why in addition to contact information, pet owners can also add important health information about their dogs on their collars, especially, if the dogs have any special medical needs or allergies.
A collar also offers control and restraint as this is where you attach a dog leash to control your dog in public areas to prevent them from wandering off or chasing after other animals.
Some types of collars can also be used for training purposes, such as a choke collar. Such tools help instill discipline in your large dog, which will ensure it doesn't get itself or its owner into trouble.
In essence, a collar is not just an accessory. It's a vital tool to ensure the safety, control, and well-being of your four-legged friend.
Different Types of Dog Collars
You can find many different types of collars in the market for your large dog breed. Each type fulfills a different need, so understanding them can help you make the right choice for your large fur baby.
Standard Buckle Collars
The most common type of dog collar is the standard buckle collar, which has the same design as the belts you would wear with your trousers. You just open up the buckle and adjust the size according to the width of your dog's neck. These collars are very secure and sit comfortably on the neck.
Side-Release Buckle Collars
These collars have a metal or plastic buckle (like the ones you find on school bags) which can be opened quickly by pressing the sides. While these collars are preferred for how quickly they open, they are prone to wear and tear and you’ll find the collar coming off on its own from time to time, which can be a huge safety concern.
If you do choose to invest in a side-release collar, then make sure you're getting one from a reliable vendor, that the buckle is heavy-duty, and able to withstand wear and tear for a long time.
Martingale Collars
Martingale collars feature a loop that will tighten if your dog tries to pull too much on the leash or slip out. This is a great option if your dog isn’t comfortable with collars and tries to take them off again and again.
Training Collars
Last, but not least, are the training collars that we mentioned earlier. They are like normal collars but with small erect metal rods on the inside. These collars are designed to correct behavior in dogs who pull on their leash when walking and will help you train your dog not to walk too far ahead of you or wander off in different directions.
The Different Types of Collar Materials
The material of your dog’s collar also makes a huge difference. As with collar styles, you’ll also find a lot of variety in materials.
Leather
Leather is the most popular type of material for collars. Genuine leather looks great, smells great, and ages with grace. Leather is also strong and durable, and can last for years. Lastly, leather collars are also extremely comfortable and do not cause any skin irritation.
The only drawback to leather collars is that this material isn’t waterproof and can be quite expensive.
Rope & Other Fabrics
Apart from leather, the other most common type of material for collars is synthetic rope and fabrics such as nylon, cotton, and poly.
These materials are also pretty strong, but not as durable or as comfortable as leather. They also don’t tend to last very long and can easily break if enough force is exerted by the buckles or locking mechanism of the leash. As such, these collars aren’t effective for large breed dogs.
Fabric and rope collars can also irritate some dogs so, if you do get a rope or fabric collar, make sure you keep an eye on your dog’s neck to make sure they aren’t having an allergic reaction to the collar.
Biothane
In recent times, biothane waterproof dog collars have become exceedingly popular amongst pet owners especially owners who have large breed dogs.
Biothane is a new-age material that has similar properties to leather with the additional benefit of being water-resistant and easy to clean.
The material is also a lot more affordable than leather collars and offers similar levels of durability, comfort, and aesthetics. Biothane is also smell-free and very strong which makes it the ideal material choice for active large-breed dogs.
How To Choose The Best Dog Collar For Your Large Breed Dog?
Regardless of what style of collar you get for your large dog, you need to ensure two things.
First, you must ensure the collar is durable. Large dogs have a lot of strength and the more durable your dog collar is, the longer it will last and the easier it will be to control or hold onto your dog.
Secondly, while it is important that your dog is secure, it's just as important to make sure your dog is comfortable.
Here are some of the top things to consider when choosing the best dog collar for your dog.
Look For A Collar With A Sturdy Buckle
For durability, one of the factors to focus on is the collar buckle. Having a durable collar buckle will ensure the collar is always securely sitting on your dog's neck, keeping it secure and away from the possibility of causing any mischief. A proper buckle will also ensure that the collar doesn't become loose with time.
With a weak buckle, the collar could come off by something as simple as your dog lunging towards a cat while it's on a walk with you. Make sure that the buckle is attached properly to the collar and that there are no chances of it ripping off if your dog pulls on his leash a bit too much.
Find A Collar With The Right Collar Width
One way of ensuring your dog's collar isn't causing too much irritation is to get a collar with the right width. With a large neck and throat, your large dog won't do well with a thin collar that will dig into his skin every time he pulls a little.
So, as a rule of thumb, look for collars that have a wider width. Wide collars can distribute pressure evenly, reducing strain on the neck.
However, if the collar is too wide, it can also restrict your dog's movements. This is why some collars are wider from the front and narrow from the back which serve the purpose of a wide collar without limiting the head movement of your dog.
Affordability
While there is no doubt that collars made of high-quality materials tend to be a lot more expensive than the ones you’ll find in your corner pet store, you should consider it an investment as it pays off in the long term.
All things considered, it would serve well to go with a leather or biothane collar for your large dog breed. Biothane is very durable, inexpensive, looks great, and water-proof making it easy to maintain.
What Dog Leash Is Right For Your Large Dog?
Leashes are a bit simpler than collars. You'll find your standard leash that is made of rope, nylon, or leather, that measures between 4 to 8 feet long. You might also find some varieties with multiple rings along the length of the leash to help you adjust the length as needed.
Then you have retractable leashes that allow your dog more freedom to explore and can be adjusted with the push of a button on the handle. However, these types of leashes can be tricky to manage for large, strong dogs.
Finally, you have training leashes that are designed to assist with the training of dogs. These leashes are shorted and allow for better control.
For a large dog, whatever type of leash you go for, just remember that it should be able to handle your dog’s strength and weight.
Invest in a quality leash that is thick, durable, and not too heavy. That way, your dog will also be comfortable and you’ll also rest easy knowing your dog is secured properly.
Can't I Choose A Harness Instead?
Many people choose to use a harness instead of a collar when walking their dog and it's understandable. Dogs don't feel the pressure on their neck this way if they pull on their leash and the pressure is distributed a lot more evenly over the entirety of the chest and shoulders.
However, harnesses have their drawbacks. First and foremost, it’s not always easy to use a harness on your dog. Putting it on and taking it off can be tricky and there’s a lot of room for your dog to get distracted by something else and lunge while both your hands are occupied. A collar, in contrast, is a lot easier to put on.
Another issue with harnesses is the fit. Even if they're slightly loose, your dog is bound to find a way to wriggle out of it and run. This compromises not only your dog's safety but also the people around you, especially if your dog gets startled by anything and gets defensive.
Harnesses can also cause the fur to get matted, which is only going to cause further distress to your dog.
Choosing between a harness and a collar comes down to practicality and effectiveness.
You need to remember though that your dog's collar should not be a choice or an option. If you're using a harness, you should still be using a collar for the other reasons we stated earlier. Your collar does a lot more than just keep your dog on a leash during walks.
Finding The Ideal Dog Collar & Leash Combination For Your Large Dog
Getting the right fit is crucial for your dog's comfort and safety. A collar should fit snugly but not too tight.
The best way to check if a collar fits your dog just right is to slip two fingers between the collar and your dog's neck. If both fingers slip through the gap it is an ideal fit. If it doesn’t go through the collar is too tight and if more than two fingers go through the gap the collar is too loose.
While the type of collar and leash combination for your dog comes down to preference and fit, you should consider the points we’ve gone over today. Get something that is durable and strong, and, most importantly, comfortable and suited to your dog breed.
The ideal collar and leash combination should feel like a natural part of your dog’s body while still being stylish.
Remember, never compromise! Your dog’s safety and comfort should always be your top priority as a pet owner.
There are plenty of reliable vendors such as PawFurEver that offer a wide range of stylish and quality dog collars and leashes suitable for all dog sizes. Check out our collection and find the perfect one for your furry friend.
