What is a martingale collar?

How does a martingale collar work?

A regular buckle collar stays at the size you set. A martingale has a little controlled movement: it draws in under tension and relaxes afterwards.

The fit sets the limit. Too loose, and the collar can still pass over the head. Too tight, and it puts unwanted pressure on the neck.

Long neck. Narrow head.
Now it makes sense.

Lurchers, whippets and greyhounds can have heads narrower than their necks. A collar that sits comfortably on the neck may still slide over the ears when they reverse.

A martingale dog collar can help with that shape. But lurchers come in all sorts of builds. Buy for the measurements, not the breed name.

Martingale or regular collar?

If their regular collar fits well and stays put, there’s no need to change. If backing out is a problem, a properly fitted martingale is worth considering.

See our regular dog collars or meet the martingales below.

How to fit a martingale collar

1. Measure the neck in cm. Keep a soft tape flat against the coat without pulling it tight.
2. Check the head for a slip-on style. It needs to pass over the widest part to go on and come off.
3. Use its own size chart. Our martingale size letters differ from our buckle collars and harnesses.
4. Check both settings. Comfortable with a slack lead. Correctly limited under gentle tension. Follow that collar’s fitting instructions.

Different dogs.
Their MTF fit.

Here’s how our collars look on different dogs. Bella wears XS. Use the size guide for your own dog.

Check your dog’s neck and head measurements before choosing a size.