I have not owned a dog in 14 years due to my daughters 3 cats living with us, we didnt think it would be fair to disrupt their life with an energetic bundle of fun. But now at last we have a 3 month old long haired GSD called Kodi (named after the Alaskan Kodiak Bear, cos he looks like one). He is in need of a collar (in order to be legal). Fortunately he is really good on the rope type lead we bought him and doesn't pull much, which i think is pretty amazing for a 3 month old. With my previous GSD's I have always used a choke chain, hanging loosely while out walking but then removed when we got home. I gather the law now states that a dog must have a collar and ID tag at all times in public places, even in the car? Any recommendations for a new collar please, taking into account that he is long haired and i dont really want his neck fur flattened. I noticed on a lot of the GSD Pics that chains with an ID tag are still quite popular? I have looked at those on sale at Pets@Home and nothing really jumped out at me.
I know half-checks are quite popular, they are a combination of a regular flat collar and a chain collar. The idea is that you buy a size that prevents the collar tightening to smaller than the neck, so it doesn't choke the dog. http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product_group.asp?dept_id=251&pg_id=693 http://www.apdt.co.uk/halfcheckcollars.asp Fabric martingale collars work on the same principle but are all fabric, no chain. Often used for Greyhounds and similar breeds, but no reason why you couldn't use it on a GSD. http://www.collarsrus.co.uk/#/martingales/4531030419 Another kind recommended to me when I asked (I have an adult longhaired GSD) was a rolled leather collar http://www.thewaggytailsstore.co.uk/product/255/TIMBERWOLF_ROUND_COLLAR_IN_SABLE.aspx
I would use a long link fur saver (choke chain to you) on a long haired dog like this with the ID attached. Two caveats. 1 Buy the smallest size that will just fit over his head and keep checking and then buy next size up. This is so that the potential for injury is minimised if say dog plays with another dog so a toot or toe is not caught. 2 NEVER leave the dog unsupervised wearing it (it can get caught up on handles etc and obviously choke 3 Walk the dog on the DEAD link so the choke does not operate. Choke chains if used in this way are then just a metal collar, it has the advantage of not flattening a ruff nor stretching as leather collars do or smelling as many others do. HTH ps you may have to buy on line as few pet shops sell long link collars, also make sure it is SS
I agree with SB. Although my GSDs are all short haired, I started with a fursaver (long link chain) collar when I started SchH training with Koda. My dogs only wear their collars when out and about. When at home, whether I am there or not, they don't wear anything. Legally a dog must have ID when out publicly. A dog doesn't HAVE to wear a collar. Koda was attacked just before Christmas by another GSD and couldn't wear a collar for some time because of his injuries. So to be able to take him out to the vet for treatment and later, out for walks etc he wore a tracking harness and I attached his ID tags to that. It's just as legal as his ID tags being on a collar around his neck. My personal preference for my dogs is either the fursaver or a flat collar. I'm not keen on slip leads, or half checks. I have had to use a halti int he past but don't anymore. And I'd never in a million years use a choke chain. I thnk they had their place 20/25 yrs ago but now there are better products out there and if your pup doesn't pull on lead you wouldn't need one anyway.
Many thanks for your suggestions everyone. Re. Stumpywop - "A dog doesn't HAVE to wear a collar". Yes, that's the route i have been taking so far, i just attached his ID tag to his rope collar and thought right i am covered. Of course this isn't the case when i let him off his lead in the forest, he then has no collar or ID. Interestingly i met an off duty policeman there walking his springer spaniel, he commented that he couldn't take his two GSD's to a public place as they were too aggressive. Fortunately he was so taken with my dog that he didn't notice the lack of collar/id. I found this fur saver (without half check) on ebay, is something like this ok? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HS-Stainl...es_Dogs&var=&hash=item82644d25eb#ht_500wt_885
Mine don't wear house collars , just wide flat ones when out walking. Both are longcoated GSD's & I've never had a problem with fur breakage round the neck.
I think it depends on the hair. Tala (gsd) is fine on a 5/8" wide leather collar. Maisie (goldie) has a rolled collar because a flat one rubs her hair and leaves her a bit bald round the neck
Daisy GSD wears a half-check when out - not in the house. Raz has a martingale though because he has delicate skin round his neck and he sometimes panics (he has issues). A fabric martingale is gentler. (They are medium/ long coats)
If you go to their own website(http://luvmydog.co.uk/) they have other colour/metal options, Brass, Chrome, Curogan, Antique Brass, Antique Copper and Black Stainless Steel We've had 3 fursavers from there, two Curogan and one Antique Copper, good service and the collars are still in good condition We also have a chrome/stainless steel one of the same make that we got at a trial that is our gsd's current one but the antique copper looks better on him I think and will now be his back up since its too small for my rottie now.
My GSDs (two longcoat and one standard coat) all wear rolled leather slip collars, which stops the fur being rubbed away.
No these links are too short and will rub the hair away. Look on Karenswood or John Humphris sites for long link fur savers.
