The everyday dog collar is the most abundant type of dog collar in the market place. This is the collar you will be hanging your dogs’ tags on. This collar needs to be comfortable and the right size.
There are basically three designs of everyday dog collars. The differences are in the way the collar buckles around your dog’s neck. There are safety precautions to take with each of these collars.
First there is the traditional belt style where one side of the collar has evenly spaced holes which threads through the buckle and fastens with a pin that goes through one of the holes on the collar. The collar material continues through the collar for some reinforcement. These collars cannot come off a dog’s neck in case the dog gets hung on something while wearing. For this reason these types of collars should only be used with older dogs.
Next there is the ‘quick-release’ buckle design. These dog collars have a plastic fastening buckle that one end fits into the other end while two tensioned plastic pieces lock the two halves in place. The collar is released by squeezing the tensioned plastic pieces and separating the two halves of the buckle. Do not confuse this type of collar with the following. These quick-release collars can still provide a safety hazard for your dog as they will not break apart when pressure is applied.
Finally there is the ‘break-away’ collar. These collars have a buckle that will break apart if the dog gets hung on anything. There are only a couple of manufacturers of these types of collars. They are, by far, the safest collars on the market for everyday use, especially with pups.
You should never leave a collar on your dog all the time especially if you confine your dog in a crate. Any collar should be removed prior to putting your dog in the crate.
Proper size is essential and the general rule is the collar should have enough room in it so you can place your fingers in between the neck and the collar with a little extra room but not so loose as it will slide over the ear of the dog. Keep this in mind if you have a dog with a long, thin head such as greyhounds or whippets. Measure your dog’s neck prior to going shopping as the minimum and maximum sizes, for adjustable collars are printed on the labels.
The everyday collar comes in a plethora of designs and colors so you can easily find one that fits your and your dog’s personalities.
