Lurcher collars

Woody76

Hi

Just looking for some thoughts.
WE have a 8mth old lurcher not long had her from the dogs trust and we were wanting to get her a new collar. Now Ive heard people saying that with the grehound/lurcher neck they have to have the proper grehound collars as their neck is very sensitive. I thought that this was due to 'normal collars' slipping over head so the greyhound ones are designed not to slip. What do you think??
We walk her ona halti as pulls too hard on a normal collar and lead for me (have fibromyalgia and suffer pains in hands already without a pulling dog lol) so I was thinking collar really just for securing halti too incase halti comes off and for holding collar id. I will add she is of course identichipped before we got her coming from the dogs trust (would have got her done anyway though if not)

Many thanks in advance of your answers

Woody xx

zaxdog

We have a lovely wee lurcher and I would ALWAYS recommend a proper lurcher/greyhound collar as their necks are really sensitive.

They are the best dogs in the world IMHO

Woody76

I agree zax dog lurchers are the best xxx

Our baby just adores cuddling on the sofa on evening so loving

Do you mean that ordinary collars can injure their neck?
Is there any evidence anywhere (not doubting you in anyway just when I have asked several vets and trainers they say that they have heard that but not sure why or if its a myth)

Thanks for your quick reply xx
How many lurchers do you have?

Woody xx

Sagz_2

My first dog was a lurcher and I've not been without one since , all from Dogs Trust as well.

My 2 wear thin, fleece-lined, loose fitting collars with their tags on and harnesses when they go out for walks. Both my current lurchers have very thin coats and the wide collars rub the fur off their necks.

If you try to put a 'normal' flat collar on lurchers/greyhound types you have to fit it up under their ears where the neck is thinnest or the collar slips over their heads, but the trouble is this is where the spine joins the skull and it is a weak point so if the dog pulls or jerks on the lead it could do some serious damage to it's self. Wide collars help to spread the load over a wider area of the neck so are safer.

Merry_Wanderer

We have a martingale collar, which I think is comfortable for our lurcher/greyhound but she doesn't really pull on the lead at all.

Woody76

Thank you Sagz

That makes sense and I thought that may be the case

All though wouldnt that be the case with most dogs or greyhounds/lurchers more sensitive

(not picking just interested)

Woody xx

mtbbuxton

Woody76 wrote: »

Thank you Sagz

That makes sense and I thought that may be the case

All though wouldnt that be the case with most dogs or greyhounds/lurchers more sensitive

(not picking just interested)

Woody xx

I have a lurcher and whippet and have always used wide webbing collars for mine - decorated with pretty trim, but webbing based similar to these http://www.cherryhoggcollars.co.uk/default.html
A wider collar is preferable because if they decide to take off after something, (or just have a random sprint in my lurchers case:rotfl:) it all happens far more quickly than with other dog breeds/types. This means that when they reach the end of the lead - even a normal one - they're moving much faster and as a result can cause more damage to their necks. They also have longer, thinner necks which only serves to add to the risk of potential injury.

M x

Sagz_2

Woody76 wrote: »

Thank you Sagz

That makes sense and I thought that may be the case

All though wouldnt that be the case with most dogs or greyhounds/lurchers more sensitive

(not picking just interested)

Woody xx

The size of most dogs heads is wider than their necks so the collar sits lower down on the neck, not on the spine/skull junction. But there is a school of thought that all neck collars cause problems if the dog is pulling and if you think about it it makes sense: a pulling dog creates pressure around the neck and windpipe. If you were to feel pressure there how would you feel? Uncomfortable at least, maybe a bit paniced, anxious and try to get away from the feeling so pull away more...... which just makes it worse.

Which is why I think training to walk nicely is so important. I want my best buddies to enjoy coming out with me, I don't want to wrestle with them!

Woody76

Thank you everyone for your contributions. As I use a halti when walking her she doesnt pull on lead but I will stick with the greyhound collar to be safe.

Woody x

zaksmum

My dog is a whippet/labrador first cross and I've been told he's a lurcher due to the whippet part of him. He looks like a labrador in his face but is skinny like a whippet and has a long neck and very muscular hindquarters.

Would he benefit from a lurcher collar?

UKTigerlily

I'd use a harness but if you must use a collar then if the dogs neck is wider than its head i'd use the martingale, they come in loads of awesome designs & look great