First of all I would like to congratulate you on joining the ranks of Italian Greyhound (Iggy) owners, be it through rescue, adoption or purchase. These are very lovely dogs that will bring you lots of joy for many years to come. If you are contemplating on getting one, please check out this list of pros and cons for Iggies.
Now, if you are wondering what is the best collar for your Iggy then the quick answer is: martingale collar. I am speaking purely from my experience as an owner of Italian Greyhound.
The first collar I bought for my Iggy (Hugo) was a actually not a collar but a harness which looks like this. The simple reason why I got this harness for Hugo is because I thought it will be gentle on the puppy. Unfortunately, for me I was wrong. It led to not only a waste of money but also to frustrating episodes when he would start pulling suddenly in one direction or another. He would literally stand on two hind legs trying to pull me in his direction. After a couple of months, when Hugo grew out of his harness, I decided to give a try to martingale collar which is specifically designed for the sight hounds (Italian Greyhounds, Salukis, Whippets, and Greyhounds). All these dog breeds share similar body structure; the head is narrow in proportion to the neck.
After a couple of months, when Hugo grew out of his harness, I decided to give a try to martingale collar which is specifically designed for the sight hounds (Italian Greyhounds, Salukis, Whippets, and Greyhounds). You can see that the neck and the head are practically the same width. Because of the sleek head there is a possibility for your pup to back out of the regular collar. And good luck chasing your dog across the park !
What is a martingale collar ?
Simply put it is a collar that tightens when the dog pulls (does not choke), thus making it narrower and preventing the collar from slipping off. If Hugo does not pull the collar remains nice and loose. The collar also relaxes after he stops pulling.
Added Benefit
Another huge benefit of the martingale collar is the fact that Hugo became much more responsive to the slight direction changes of the leash. Our walks became much more enjoyable for both of us as it eliminated the sudden pulling. I hope that by sharing this small experience will help you and your pup have a wonderful time together.
