Can anyone tell me what the benefits of a half check collar compared to a flat collar? I know many use it because it can be looser than a normal collar and not ruin the coat, and also is safer if the dog pulls backwards sharply, but is there any other benefits? Both my dogs wear flat collars but i was wondering if there was something i was missing as so many dogs wear them.

They can be use to give the rattle of the choker with out the choking effect They are a half way house between the two & if fitted right are the same as a flat collar which loosens off when the dog is at heel

I use a round collar on my Cavaliers so it doesn't mak their coats & the same on my other dogs as well

There are several reasons why people choose a half check.  One is that you can give a more definite correction and the dog gets a warning of what is going to happen ie the chain running through the rings makes a noise that preceeds the 'check'.  They are also quicker to remove in an emergency.  Half checks have their drawbacks too - they do 'cut' the fur on long-haired dogs though not as badly as full 'check chains'.  It would be unwise to leave them on your dog all the time if you have more than one dog because when they play they can get claws and teeth caught in the chain with disasterous results.

I use half checks on my dogs when we do street/heel walking. They are not as severe as full checks. My dogs however do not wear collars when they are at home.

I have used them but to be honest as i don't use "corrrections" found them little help although everyone is different :)

Lindsay
X

i personally prefer the "feel" i get from a flat collar
each to their own though!

They are easier to slip on, especially hand taking dogs in and out of kennels.  And they are good for breeds where the neck is the same width as the head (ie there is nothing to stop a flat collar slipping over the head).  Personally I don't ever use one addjusted to give a 'check' effect, they are only ever adjusted to the same sort of size as a flat collar would be, but they just give that little extra 'grip'....

Any collar gives a 'check' if the dog hits the end of the lead; it doesn't matter what the collar is made of!!   BUT, with a half check the dog does get a 'warning' because it associates the sound of the running chain as a precurser of what's to come.  In this respect the half check is kinder on the dog than some other collars which just jerk on the neck.  A half check should always be adjusted so that when the chain is 'closed' and the rings meet you can still get 2 fingers underneath just as you would to correctly fit a flat buckle collar. 

I initially got a half check to train my pup but since then i have continued to use one on my dogs when we walk in busier/dangerous areas. Because the collar tightens the dog can not slip out of the collar and this gives me more control near traffic etc. Ive never had any problems and they usually sit at the side of the road but you never can be too careful so i find half checks give me that peace of mind.

They only wear them when they are out of the house, as someone said before you shouldnt leave them on in the house - there have been a number of horror storys and its not worth the risk.

you should have seen my friends collie when he got stuck on a stile,with the slack chain bit caught! not nice!