I am intrigued to see people's different replies on this one.

I always used to use nylon webbing collars for my boys but since reading a letter in Dogs Today magazine have changed over to leather ones.  It was a case where the lady concerned had two dogs who were playing together, one had managed to get his jaw caught in the other's collar and twisted and therefore started strangling the other.  She had tried to get the collar off which was a webbing one but found it very hard to cut through with scissors.  She then changed to a leather collar because it is easier to break or cut through in similar situations. I have two young Border Collies and changed to leather because of this.

Any comments would be appreciated. 

Adults all wear rolled leather collars as I feel they are safe and gentle on their coats as well pup doesn't wear a collar in the house but when out wears the same as the older girls a rolled leather collar however hers is made from lambs leather which is softer
Gillian

Think it depends on your dog and living circumstances. We use a webbing half check because you cant back out of a half check ( or any properly adjusted collar).  It hasnt caused any problems even when rushing through jungles or playing with other dogs, but he dosent wear the collar in the house. Bought a nice leather rolled collar and lead at a show which isnt a great fit so Ill probably go for a leather half check so were not the odd people out in training class.

Ditto Lorelei :)  Webbing half checks that aren't worn in the house here too!

Lesley

Another point too, my trainer has two flatcoats, and when they were puppies she left the room whilst they were playing and one of the dogs managed to get the other dog's collar wrapped round their jaw. when my trainer came back she quickly realised the problem and set about trying to free the dogs. Luckily one of the dogs had a clip release collar but the other one was a buckle (The one that wasn't caught luckily), but in that situation with a dog in distress i would imagine it will be very difficult to release a buckle. As a result they don't wear collars in the house and if they have one al all it always has a black release clip. Mine both have release clips too.

I don't leave collars on my dogs at all, unless they're on a leash and we're on a walk or training. My Dobe breeder left two of her adult dogs in the yard while she went to the store or something. When she came home, she found one dead. The other had gotten his teeth caught in the collar and was stuck and it strangled the one dog. Needless to say, she never leaves collars on the dogs either anymore. Accidents do happen.

Years ago, I heard a neighbors Malamute screeming and ran to their deck where it was. (they were gone) A ring on the collar and gone between the boards of the deck, and twisted. The dog was hopelessly trapped with her chin on the deck and freaking out...very dangerous. (I also never left halters on my horses while they were in the pasture or unattended) Things can and do happen.

Thanks for this guys.  I also use a rolled leather collar for the older border because he is long haired and it doesnt ruin is coat.  Didnt really think of leaving the collars off when they are at home.  Will probably start to do this as this seems to be the most sensible thing to do.