Buster has a half-check collar. It's 1" wide leather with brass chain & fittings.

I've just noticed that it has rubbed the fur of his neck in 2 places. The chain section is obviously heavier than the leather part, so it slips down and sits under his neck. He has saggy skin that hangs under his neck in 2 flaps - the end of each flap has a bald patch. There is no soreness, it's just had the hair rubbed off with the chain (maybe even caught in the chain and pulled out? :( ).

Thinking this can not be comfortable for him, I've adjusted his collar even looser. When tightened the 2 'D's' at each end of the chain meet (the chain causes no 'choke' action), but it obviously still tightenens the collar. Before I adjusted the collar, the chain would tighten, but not fully, only about 2 inchs (the chain part is approx 5 inch wide).

I don't use the choke funtion so not botherd about it not choking! What I am a little concerned about is how loose the collar is now, it can be pulled off his head, but not if the chain is tight.

I don't want to tighten the collar back up (to stop it being possible to pull off over his head), or it will continue to rub his fur off. 

I've had a look on-line as to how these collars are supposed to fitted and the article I found said they should be fitted at the TOP of the neck I'm not doing that - that is potentially damaging & I want it loose so it sits at the bottom of his neck (for his comfort).

I'm not keen on removing his collar in the house as he's a big lad and I like to have the collar as a 'handle' should I need it (also the fact it has his ID disc on should he escape).

How do you fit your half-check collar?

Or anybody any suggestions for a 'house' collar for a dog with dewlaps? I've considered a choke-chain for the house (beacsue it will hang loose and be comfortable, yet there will still be something for me to hold should I need to), but am too worried about the possibility of it becoming caught on someting.

I can't see how a flat collar could be comfortable for him, as it would need to be tight enough not to drop over his head when he's bending, so it would be digging in his dewlaps.

How about a 'martingale' collar which is like a half-check, but with fabric instead of chain? There are a number of online places that make these by hand, and could do one to your specifications.

Rolled leather half check?

I agree with Ms Temeraire,a fabric martingale could work like these fleece lined ones   http://www.collarsrus.co.uk/#/softies/4543368657 .They are made to measure and although the ones shown are wide as they're designed for greyhounds/whippets they could probably make them narrower.

Or these http://www.southwestagilitygoods.co.uk/ltdslip.html Very friendly and helpful company,they would probably fleece line it for you as well if you got the exact measurements of his neck.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I'm spoilt for choice now :)

Had a look at some rolled leather half-checks, they do look smart, but also very tempted with one of the 'softies' in a girle pink with hearts all over it - may help Bust with his PR in convincing peopls he's a softie himself :-D

I have dogs with wire coats and like the all fabric versions of the half check, martingale, or combi type collars.  These do not catch skin or hair and are pretty lightweight with the metalwear being the heaviest thing on them.

Lupine are excellent and the patterned versions are great quality and can withstand the wet/dry/wet/muddy wear of my swimming dogs.  They are only up to 1" though - would that be wide enough?  Collarways is a UK stockist

Earthdog hemp collars are perfect indoor and garden collars they wear to a super soft feel (but not suitable for swimming as the hemp goes brittle and breaks when constantly wet and dry).  These were recommended by someone else on CD a few years ago and I really love them (I have Kody and Seamus 1).  I imported mine but you can get them on eBay from time to time I think

My youngest currently has a limited slip collar but with a normal clip fixing too as he hasn't quite learnt to sit still when I try and slip the normal type off his head.  He just keeps moving forward!  His is Black Dog Wear and I see they have a fleecy type for Greyhounds too which might be a better width for Buster.

>I have dogs with wire coats and like the all fabric versions of the half check, martingale, or combi type collars.  These do not catch skin or hair and are pretty lightweight with the metalwear being the heaviest thing on them.

My staffy wears a fabric half check collar and a full fabric version when we go to the beach and I find that they do seem to catch her hair and she is forever wanting to sit and have a scratch but never does it when she isn't on the lead.

My rott wears the same style of collar and doesn't bother at all.

The collar such be wide enought to cover two vertabrate of the dogs neck so no rolled collars. Narrow collars  can rub between the vertabrate snd cause nerve damage.
It such fit snugly like a wrist watch on your wrist.
A dog should not wear a half-check unless on the lead as it can get caught up, if playing with other dogs one dog could get their paw in it, there have even been cases of dogs drowning because the collar has become caugth up when their have been getting a ball out of a stream.

These are good http://shop.whatadream.co.uk/collar.htm
Soft and come in some lovely colours.

I have lusted after these collars for ages - if that's the right word! My neighbour's rescue whippet came with one, and now I wish I had the right kind of dog to wear one! - they are lush ....
http://www.kitschcollars.com/Standard_collars_for_other_breeds.htm

Your point about the fit of a martingale or limited slip collar is important but so is the position on a dogs neck, no point fitting snugly to the wrong part of the neck.  There is a handy guide to fit here although there are lots of other sites that describe the method of measuring and fitting equally as well.

> They are only up to 1" though - would that be wide enough?

Yep :) The collar he has now is 1".

Thanks for the links, I have even more to chose from now. I do love the patterns on the hemp collars.

Thanks again everone for the links & suggestions :)

have a look here [url=]http://www.silverpeacock.co.uk/bigdog.htm [/url]they have just started making collars for giant breeds.  They will pretty much make what you want, they are really helpful if you email them with your specifications.  My Setter boys have been wearing their collars for years, at the moment they have silk martingale collars, about 2 inches wide, they look lovely :)

You can get very strong bespoke leather collars made here that are based on historical pictures of working collars for mastiffs and bullbreeds - http://www.harrisandwatson.webs.com/

personally id go for NO collar in the house. my hounds have dewlap and can only wear slip collars or half checks when out and about but never ever have them on in the home EVER. PLus they draw the dewlap together possibly creating a nice harbour for dampness and bacteria....no collar= no problem :)

I personally wouldn't buy any item from that link Snoringbear as I have no wish to line the pockets of those who sell prong collars and ecollars however great their other merchandise might be.