Why Do Whippets Need Special Collars?

If you’ve heard that regular collars are no good for whippets, then you’ve heard correct. In this post, we are going to answer a question we get asked regularly, why do whippets need special collars?

In short, whippets are a breed of dog that needs special collars, or else they could have problems with their necks.

Whippets are very slender dogs, and this means that they can easily slip out of regular collars. They could even end up breaking their neck if the collar is not special enough for them.

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Reasons Whippets Need A Special Collar

A whippet’s neck is usually larger than their head, meaning they can easily slip out of regular collars and run free. Whippets have a slim, muscular body that is incredibly powerful.

They can run at breathtaking speeds of up to 35mph! This is why they are the fastest accelerating dog on the planet.

This can become a big problem as these dogs naturally have a high prey drive, meaning they’ll chase small prey like animals such as rabbits, rats, and squirrels.

If your whippet manages to slip his head out of a regular collar they can quickly become in danger as they may chase after prey and escape your control.

Another reason whippets need special collars is that their necks are thin, and their thorax (the part where the ribs are) is wide.

This means that they do not have a pronounced ‘brachycephalic’ (flat-faced) cranium, which is part of what’s responsible for the unique shape of many brachycephalic breeds’ heads.

Whippets are known for their necks. They’re long, skinny, and incredibly elegant – think giraffe! Whippets can slip out of collars that aren’t fit correctly on them – their neck just isn’t strong enough to hold on through thick-and-thin.

That’s why it’s always best to invest in a collar designed specifically with whippets in mind! Collars made for whippets have unique properties which work for this specific breed type.

What Type Of Collars Are Best For Whippets?

When it comes to finding the right collar for your whippet, you need one that is durable, adjustable and a collar that has a quick-release mechanism.

Regular collars simply don’t work well for whippets, they need a collar that ensures they are always in the control of their master and they can’t get loose without your permission.

Here are some of the best collars for whippets;

Sighthound Collar

Sighthound collars are an excellent choice for whippets as they are designed to work with your dog’s natural physique.

The Sighthound collar has 6 adjustment points, 6 holes on each point meaning there are 6 x 6 = 36 sizes you can pick from.

It also means the collar is highly adjustable and will be easy for you to find the right size for your whippet.

The collar’s fast release allows you to easily get the collar off of your whippet in a matter of seconds without having to worry about struggling to get it undone.

These collars have been around for centuries and have even been depicted in ancient artwork and are highly effective for these dogs.

These collars come in a range of styles and designs and are a great way to keep your whippet looking fly as can be!

Martingale Collar

Another popular choice of dog collar among whippet owners is the martingale collar. These collars are also known as whippet collars or greyhound collars due to their suitability for sighthounds.

A martingale collar is a type of slip collar that is designed with two loops: a larger loop that goes around the dog’s neck and a smaller D-shaped loop that fits right behind the dog’s head.

These are perfect for whippets as they ensure the whippet cannot slip their head out of the collar, meaning you are always in control.

Martingale collars will actually tighten as your dog pulls, which discourages them from slipping their head out of the collar.

Martingale collars also come in a wide variety of colours, designs, and adjustability. Making them highly customisable and a great choice to jazz out your whippet and ensure they look super fresh!

Harness

Some people even decide to skip a collar altogether and go with a harness.

Dog harnesses are a great way to ensure full control of your whippet as they focus most of the pulling pressure on your dog’s chest and not their delicate neck.

However, it is important to note that some whippets will slip out of a harness eventually if they are determined enough!

Identification Collars

Using an identification collar is a great way to make sure your whippet is easy to identify if they ever get lost.

It can also be helpful for training, as it helps train your dog quickly to obey voice commands like ‘sit’ or ‘come’.

Identification collars that have your dog’s name, your mobile number, and address are perfect as if they happen to run off in pursuit of prey and someone finds them, they can easily be returned.

GPS Tracker

A GPS tracker is similar to an identification collar but instead uses GPS tracking, making it much more accurate.

The tracker can be attached to your dog’s collar or can even be inserted into their ear.

This is extremely helpful if you’re out hunting, especially near open fields where it would be difficult to find them should they ever get lost again.

Check out the best GPS trackers for whippets in this post!

The GPS tracker will update every few seconds on a map, making it much easier to track your whippet should they get lost.

Is A Harness Better Than A Collar For A Whippets?

Some people choose to go with a harness instead of a collar for their whippets. Harnesses put all of the pulling pressure on your dog’s chest and not on their delicate throat.

While they can be more difficult to slip out of, we recommend using proper training and staying vigilant, as some whippets will learn how to escape from even the best harness eventually.

In my experience, a harness is not better than a collar for whippets, but they are certainly a good option for whippets that pull whilst walking on a leash to stop them from losing fur around their necks.

My Personal Preference

I’ve used many different collars and harnesses over the years and personally prefer to use a martingale collar in conjunction with a GPS tracker.

The martingale collar rests snugly against my whippet’s neck and is designed to prevent the dog from slipping out of it.

This means that if I apply pressure with my arm, it should tighten just enough around their necks so that they cannot easily remove the collar by pawing at it without significant discomfort.

The GPS tracker is a backup in case Bonnie does somehow slip out of the collar, I can at least track where she is via the GPS.

The martingale collar should be snug enough that you can place 2 fingers of space between your dog’s neck and the collar. This will ensure that the leash cannot then slip off over their head.

Be sure to leave a little bit of room for growth as this may increase as your whippet grows older.

All of the above collars work well for whippets so feel free to use whichever you find most suitable for your pet.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right collar for your whippet is crucial, as it is the only way of ensuring your dog’s safety.

If they happen to slip out of their collar you can easily track them using a GPS dog tracker due to the fact that whippets are an extremely active breed.

Hopefully, this post has given you an insight into why whippets need special collars and you now know which collar will be most suitable for your pet.

I highly recommend a GPS tracker or identification collar too, this ensures that you’ll never lose your pooch if they do happen to go missing.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post, feel free to share it with other whippet owners to help them in their journey.