Leather Greyhound Collars. Guide for dog owners.

Greyhounds and other sighthounds ave very famous for they long graceful necks and elegant narrow head. And it also make collar shopping a little different. Long neck needs wides collar to comfort and safety. Also a collar that feels comfortable around the neck may be loose enough to slide over the head if the dog suddenly steps backwards. That is why many owners choose a greyhound collar with a wider shape, a martingale fastening, or both. The best choice depends on your dog’s body, training level and how and when do you use the collar.

Why are Greyhound collars shaped differently?

Many collars made for Greyhounds are wider at the front and narrower near the fastening. So called fishtail collar form. This wide shape protects delicate dog neck, provide comfort and better pressure distribution. The same style can suit Whippets, Galgos, Salukis and other dogs with long, slender necks. It comes in plain everyday designs as well as decorated versions, so the collar can be practical and still reflect your dog’s character.

What does a martingale collar do?

A greyhound martingale collar has a small control loop where the lead attaches. When the lead is loose, the collar rests comfortably around the neck. If the dog pulls back, the loop shortens the collar by a limited amount, making it harder to slip over the head. It relaxes again when the tension is released.

This can be useful for a Greyhound that backs away when startled. A martingale collar for a Whippet works on the same principle. The martingale must be fitted carefully: it should help prevent escape without becoming painfully tight. If your dog pulls hard throughout walks, a well-fitted harness and lessons with dog trainer may be a better way to avoid repeated pressure on the neck and possible health problems. Always remove a martingale collar when your dog is unsupervised, crated or playing with other dogs, as its loops and hardware can catch on objects.

The collar’s shape and its fastening are separate choices. A wide Greyhound collar does not have to be a martingale, and a martingale does not have to have the traditional wide shape. But for greyhounds it is always better to choose wide collar, both if you want classic or martingale form.

How to choose the right Greyhound collar size

For a regular buckle collar, measure your dog’s neck where the collar will sit. Place a soft measuring tape against the coat without pulling it tight, then follow the size instructions for the particular collar you want to order. Measuring the dog is more reliable than copying the length of an old collar, especially if the new one has padding or a different construction.

When choosing a size, it is important to understand that a collar’s inner circumference is different from its length when unfastened. The thickness of the leather and padding reduces the space inside the fastened collar. For example, a collar that measures 30 cm when unfastened may have an inner circumference of only 24–27 cm when fastened, depending on the thickness of the materials.

If your dog’s neck measures 30 cm and you choose a collar listed as 30 cm long, it will be too small. That is why our sizing guide tells you how many centimetres to add to your dog’s neck measurement for each collar model. The result is the number to use when choosing a size. Please always read the sizing instructions carefully before ordering!

For a slip-on martingale, take two measurements: the neck where the collar will sit and the widest part of the head that the collar must pass over. It needs to go on comfortably, yet stay secure when the control loop is gently tightened. You need to measure both the neck and the head, choose the bigger number and choose the size according to the biggest measurements. Usually it is a head and you need the collar to be long enough to pass over the head comfortably. Check the fit on your dog before the first walk and again if their weight changes.

There is no single greyhound collar size that fits every Greyhound. Neck circumference, head shape and the collar’s thickness all matter. If standard sizes do not fit your dog, a made-to-measure collar lets you choose a better fit. At Lazypony saddlery we offer you a custom size for no extra charge. This is a very rare option, usually requiring an extra charge, but we offer it free of charge because we know how important choosing the right size is for your dog’s health.

Plain, decorated, padded or unpadded?

A plain leather collar is a versatile choice for daily walks. Decorations can add colour and detail, from contrasting stitching to decorative conchos, rivets and tooling. You can also choose a padded collar for a softer feel against the neck and extra coat protection, or an unpadded one for a simpler, more flexible design. Whatever the style, check that the finished collar fits correctly is the most important part.

A greyhound collar with a name tag is a very popular and actually essential option. Your dog’s name and your phone number can be engraved on the tag and it will help you to find your dog in case of an accident. All Lazypony collars comes with name tags to make sure your dog is safe.

We all love beautiful sets! In our workshop you can choose a greyhound collar and lead in matching or complementary leather colours. Your dog is unique and the style must reflect it!

At Lazypony, we make our leather collars to order in Spain. You can choose the leather and stitching colours, hardware and design details, and request a custom size at no extra cost.

Explore our martingale collars and leather leads, or use our martingale measuring guide before ordering. Lazypony Saddlery Workshop