But let me begin with our own story. If you’re following our lives here or on social media, you already know that we live with two Italian Greyhounds. Harvey is 5 and Oliver is 3 years old. Both our dogs had graduated (as funny as it sounds) basic training courses, yet we still have quite some challenges while taking a walk. Oliver is simply crazy about sniffing. I know, I know, many dogs are excited about new smells but with him… It’s a totally different story. He is literally crazy about it. Imagine a 60 minute walk when every single second your Italian Greyhound is pulling. Left, right. More to the right. Aaaand suddenly left again. And this is going on & on & on & on. Kill. Me. Now. 

 

What collar is the best for an Italian Greyhound?

 

Overview of collar types:

1. Flat collar: A flat collar is the most basic type of collar. It consists of a simple strip of material that fastens around your dog's neck with a buckle or snap. It is commonly used for everyday wear and can hold identification tags. For an Italian Greyhound? Not a perfect choice but Yes.
2. Martingale collar: A martingale collar is a type of flat collar that has an additional loop that tightens when your dog pulls on the leash. It provides more control over your dog's movements without causing choking or injury. This can often be seen on fabulous necks of greyhound breeds. To put it on you need to pull it over the head which is quick and… as it doesn’t have a fastening mechanism, it will never fail or break. It’s a great choice for iggy owners but be always cautious - when your iggy is running free, they may lose it. For an Italian Greyhound? Yes yes yes!
3. Lurcher collars: These are the most popular collars within the greyhound family! As the name itself explains, lurrrrchers are where it originated from. The wide collar style protects dogs’ neck and throat from forceful pulling. It's important when they suddenly see a fast moving object or are keen on pulling in general. Italian Greyhounds need pretty specific cuts because of their fragile necks and desire to pull. That's why this one is just perfect!  The collar can be equally wide or narrow at the point of fastening, making it elegant. There are many fastening mechanisms of these collars. For example, they could have metal or plastic snaps or be martingale type collars. We simply love the latter! Lurcher collars are perfect for iggies as they tend to be softer to the sensitive and gentle necks. For an Italian Greyhound? Yes, yes yes!
4. Breakaway collar: The collar is typically made with a quick-release mechanism. It could be a plastic clip or a buckle that is designed to come apart if the collar becomes caught on something. This allows the dog to escape and avoid injury or strangulation. It could be a good idea to have such a collar if your Italian Greyhound spends a lot of time outdoors and is at risk of getting snagged on fences or branches. But who are we kidding, most of the iggies prefer a blanket over a branch :) For an Italian Greyhound? Not the first choice but if needed, yes.
5. Choke chain collar: A choke chain collar is a type of chain collar that tightens around your dog's neck when you pull on the leash. Though it is not recommended for most dogs. It can cause injury and should only be used under the guidance of a professional dog trainer. No dogs should be forced to wear it. Hrrr, imagine an Italian Greyhound wearing one! Im-po-ssi-ble. SKIP! For an Italian Greyhound? OMG, NO NO NO.
6. Prong collar: also known as a pinch collar, is a type of collar that has metal prongs that pinch your dog's neck when you pull on the leash. Like the choke chain collar, it should only be used under the guidance of a professional dog trainer. But to be honest, I am a strong advocate of banning it in general. No dog should be forced to wear. When talking about Italian Greyhounds (and any other greyhound!), there’s not even a question - SKIP, RUN AWAY! For an Italian Greyhound? OMG, NO NO NO.
7. Electronic collar: also known as an e-collar or shock collar, is a type of collar that uses a remote control to deliver an electric shock to your dog. It is extremely controversial and in our opinion, they should be banned and made illegal to use on any dog. Not even mentioning Italian Greyhounds. For an Italian Greyhound? NO DOGS SHOULD BE FORCED WEARING IT.

Overview of materials & fabrics for iggy collars

1. Leather: Leather collars are durable, stylish, and comfortable for dogs to wear. They are available in a range of colors and styles. Though it’s very important to choose soft leather which is gentle to the neck. If the edges are rough and the leather itself is stiff, it’ll not be comfy for your iggy. Choose a soft leather martingale or lurcher - it’s a perfect choice. It’s important to mention that genuine leather collars tend to get softer when worn a number of times. It’s like a good wine & cheese - gets better with age. Haha 🙂 One of the lovely examples of genuine leather hand-made collar brands for Italian Greyhounds could be Pawsh Collar

2. Vegan leather: Oh, this is a great option though, unfortunately, still quite some underestimated. It is believed that real leather is more durable and soft but, oh boy! What a mistake to think so. Vegan or faux leather collars quite often are of the same durability and comfort as genuine leather. A great example of this could be Collars of Sweden vegan leather collars. Our iggies wear & are super excited about black vegan leather martingale x lurcher collars.
   Collars of Sweden collar & Harvoola Candy Pop shirt

3. Nylon & Neoprene: Super popular options of collars are nylon. These are lightweight, affordable, and easy to clean. They are available in a wide variety of colors and designs. If you’re up for one for your Italian Greyhound, make sure they are wider and have a soft inner side. Quite often simple nylon collars have stiff edges which does not compliment gently iggy necks. Baltas Vėjas collars offer colorful wide nylon collars softened with neoprene. Perfect for every Italian Greyhound. 

   Baltas Vėjas collar & Harvoola Sky rainproof overall

4. Hemp: Alright, this material is not among the most popular for dog collars. However, they are a bit underestimated. Hemp collars are eco-friendly and hypoallergenic, making them a good choice for dogs with sensitive skin. Italian Greyhounds tend to have sensitive skin, don’t they? Depending on the collar type that are made from hemp fabric, it could be a very valid & stylish choice for you dog. Check out these fabulous collars from Pet Impact. 
5. Biothane: To be perfectly honest, this is hands down my favorite one. Biothane collars are made from a synthetic material that is similar to leather, but is waterproof, odor-resistant, and easy to clean. It may look like a blend of leather and rubber. Another important thing - the durability and strength of collars (as well as leashes!) made from Biothane. They are able to withstand strong pulling. Biothane also does not stretch, which means that it maintains its shape and size over time. Sounds almost too good to be true. Our favorite brand that makes collars & leashes of Biothane is HoundSquad. 

   HoundSquad collar & leash set and Harvoola Snow White onesie

   They offer a big range of accessories for all dog breeds, including Italian Greyhounds. As we’re talking about iggies, fabulousness is the key. Don’t miss a chance to check our stylish collab with this brand. The only downside we see with Biothane is that for really small iggies it could be not soft enough. However, if your iggy is not a fan of pulling, that is not an issue at all! 
6. LED: the last but not the least in line are the LED collars for dogs. This is  a type of collar that is equipped with LED lights that can be turned on and off, making them visible in low-light conditions. They provide an extra level of safety and visibility for both the dog and the owner. It’s especially important for Italian Greyhounds as they are small and it could be trickier to follow them walking off-leash when it’s dark.  Many LED collars are made from soft, flexible materials that do not rub or irritate your dog's skin. They are also adjustable, so you can ensure a snug fit that is neither too loose nor too tight.

How to choose a harness for an Italian Greyhound?

 

A crucial moment here is the comfort. Choose material carefully. It’s best if the harness is made from a soft, lightweight material that does not rub or irritate your iggy’s skin. A harness with a padded chest plate or adjustable straps can provide extra comfort and support. Check a fabulous yet softened harness made by Linecru. It is specifically for Italian Greyhounds. Amazing, isn’t it?