Hi everyone!

I'm trying to take my mind off of my bronchitis (!) and the horrible antibiotic that I was prescribed by thinking about the puppies that will be joining our family in March.

I have a couple of questions about collars (mostly so that I can do some Internet shopping while I am confined with this illness):

1. How big is the neck of a 12-week old puppy?

2. What is the measurement of a full-grown basenji's neck? I could "guesstimate" these things, but I am notoriously bad at that.

3. Do most of you use a martingale collar every time you walk your dog?

4. Do you have a separate "all-the-time" collar with identification on it? I found some fabulous tagless ones, with the info etched right into the latch. My understanding is that this should NOT be a martingale collar, is this correct>

5. Can you use the martingale collar right over (or next to) the regular collar with identification on it?

I've tried to figure this stuff out by reading different threads, but have just confused myself.

Thanks for your help,

Julie

I can't say on sizing so I'll leave that up to the breeders since I've only had one basenji. I always use a martingale- he slips everything else, Ive tried! I attached his ID tags on the leash clip on the collar- but if you choose you can have the dog wear a snap collar with the tags while you use the martingale with a leash. I order my collars from sitstay.com- they have great color selections and pricing- plus they will replace the collar.. When oak was a pup I ordered the petite and now he uses the small or the medium adjusted to the smallest setting. Hope this helps!

I use a Martingdale every time when Gunner is on a leash! When inside that comes off. He wears a regular collar all the time with tags attached to it. I keep this on him in the event of him getting loose and running. For him it's unlikely, but you always have to plan for it. And yes the Martingdale lies on top or next to the regular collar when on leash. I use the wide variety Martingdale as I think it provides more support. I also had Gunner microchipped for identification in the off chance he gets loose and loses his collar.

Not sure on sizes.

We don't use collars for our adult dogs, we don't like to pull their neck and their body languages is much easier for them with a harness.
We first thougt they would pull the leash even more but the training from Turid Rugaas helped them stop pulling even with a harness.

But, (in Holland) it's difficult to find a fitting harness because most will irritate the space between the front legs and the chest.
We have a special harness for them that has no piece between the legs.

For our puppie girl we don't have a harness, Basenji puppies have so much skin and a harness will irritate their skin.
We have a collar, just a normal collar, with a special soft fabrick for her neck. She likes it very much.

http://www.dierenshop.nl/ezydoghalsband-p-477.html?language=de&osCsid=24eo9dfg26i5uibj1mgv1bfcu1

And our harnesses:

http://www.dogmania.be/producten/tuigjes/ezydog-quick-fit-tuig.htm

Our dogs only wear their harnes/ collar when the are outside.
We don't use them inside because there is no reason for us to hav ethem on with them..

And I would use a identification tag at the collar/harness with your phonenumber and the name on it.

a Martingdale is what I use on my dogs necks. They don't slip off.

Thanks for everyone's answers. We have some beautiful Martinales that I got my girls (human ones) for Christmas in anticipation of these puppies. We got them from http://www.2houndsdesign.com/Martingale-Collars-p-10.html. I'll probably order tags for those and take it from there. We will also definitely have these dogs microchipped - do you mention the microchip on the tags?

Do not leave martingale collars on your dogs in the house. If you want collars on them, use the regular flat ones for around the house. For me, I never have collars on them at home.

I use both martingale type and regular ones when out. Depends on my mood…. I do not have any tags on them (yes they are chipped). I carry their rabies information with me in the car (since we show and do performance events). That is just my choice since I have a bunch of different collars.

@Amelie:

1. How big is the neck of a 12-week old puppy?

I use nylon adjustable, quick-snap collars. A 12 week old pup is often right between a petite/very small and a small.

2. What is the measurement of a full-grown basenji's neck? I could "guesstimate" these things, but I am notoriously bad at that.

They wear a small in the collars I use.

3. Do most of you use a martingale collar every time you walk your dog?

ALWAYS

4. Do you have a separate "all-the-time" collar with identification on it? I found some fabulous tagless ones, with the info etched right into the latch. My understanding is that this should NOT be a martingale collar, is this correct>

Yes. They wear nylon, quick snap collars with ID tags all the time. I would not leave a martingale on a dog unattended.

5. Can you use the martingale collar right over (or next to) the regular collar with identification on it?

I have both collars on a dog when walking it.

Kipawa wears a small flat collar in the house with ID on it (even though he is chipped) just in case he slips out the door. However, he doesn't seem interested in going out doors unless I go first (that's the training I built on, which was started by Therese and Kevin).

For outside walks I use a halter that clips in the FRONT. Kipawa is a puller, and the harnesses that clipped on the back still let him pull too much. The front clip style redirects him and he stays at my side.

I do not have collars on mine in the house. Too many chances to get caught on something or on each other when they rough house (which is at least 3/4 of the day…. They are chipped. I use a varity of different collars, however usually when traveling they mostly where their flat collars with tags. But I also carry their rabies certificates in the car with me.

Mine are naked in the house, but they are older and not inclined to leave, even if a gate is left open. We wear Nick Russell Safety-choke, similar in theory to martingale in that it snugs up when the dog pulls. We walk in harnesses, it is safer for their old necks and spines.