Bassets and Collars?

[Jason ﻴﻺ]

I have heard, and I don't know if this is true or not that you shouldn't put a Collar on a basset hound because it constricts their breathing.

So is this true or a Urban Legend?

[Milkbones]

Urban legand. My three dogs (two bassets, one Westie) wear their collars(nylon Lupine brand) 24/7, no problems. However, they should never wear choke chain collars 24/7, as they could get caught on something and choke to death. Perhaps that is the type of collar that you mean? At one time, a long time ago, I used one on my first basset, trying to prevent her from pulling my arm out while walking (she was a very enthusiastic walker), but it didn't work worth a hoot, so I gave up on that. A lot of people do use choke chain collars, but there's always the chance that it can get caught on something, leading to disasterous results. My guys wear their nylon collars, but they're kept loose. For walking, I use prong collars, but only for walking.

[Jason ﻴﻺ]

milkbones said:

Urban legand. My three dogs (two bassets, one Westie) wear their collars(nylon Lupine brand) 24/7, no problems. However, they should never wear choke chain collars 24/7, as they could get caught on something and choke to death. Perhaps that is the type of collar that you mean? At one time, a long time ago, I used one on my first basset, trying to prevent her from pulling my arm out while walking (she was a very enthusiastic walker), but it didn't work worth a hoot, so I gave up on that. A lot of people do use choke chain collars, but there's always the chance that it can get caught on something, leading to disasterous results. My guys wear their nylon collars, but they're kept loose. For walking, I use prong collars, but only for walking.

I have never had any problems with choke collars. my black lab wears one 24/7, but I guess she's also a taller tog to so less things to snag it.

[Milkbones]

I have had my doofuses catch them on stuff, so I tend to avoid them. One benefit of a choke chain collar is that they tend to be hypoallergenic. Some dogs cannot tolerate the nylon or leather collars.

[Jason ﻴﻺ]

milkbones said:

I have had my doofuses catch them on stuff, so I tend to avoid them. One benefit of a choke chain collar is that they tend to be hypoallergenic. Some dogs cannot tolerate the nylon or leather collars.

I wonder if a harness would be good for a basset hound?

[Jenn]

jason said:

I wonder if a harness would be good for a basset hound?

We use harnesses when going on real walks. When they are just going outside for a potty break, we just collars. Otherwise, it is harness time because they don't slip out as easily. In fact, neither of them have slipped out of a harness.

[Milkbones]

Mine have, which is why I gave up on using harnesses. And it doesn't matter what brand, pricey or cheap, they can and did get out of them. Doesn't matter how tight I made them, they can and did get out of them. Guess I have weird dogs. They don't like the harnesses one bit to begin with. My dogs tend to walk in back of me instead of in front of me. I use the prong collars for walking, as I have never had any of them escape a prong collar, and believe me, when we've been attacked by dogs not on leashes, it's reassuring that mine cannot escape and run away. I may get whirled around and dragged into a ditch, but I still have hold of my kids. I have had dogs slip out of just collars, so while I'm not all that crazy about prong collars, they do have their uses.

[Jason ﻴﻺ]

This Is what I learned about Prong Collars. Is this acurate?

[Milkbones]

I like the security that they provide, frankly. We were attacked while walking through out neighborhood, two different dogs, same day. That happened twice in one week's time. I had control of mine, whereas the idiots who let their dogs run, didn't. I wasn't a happy camper at their lack of courtesy, as I handle approximately 140 lbs of dogs. I got whilrled around a lot, but as long as I held on to the ends of the leashes, they stayed "attached" to me. If they were in collars, chances are that they would have slipped out of them, and heaven knows what would have happened. Anyways, that is why I am a believer in prong collars.

[Dotti]

We have always have used choke collars, except they are very loose and thick and the rolled padded kind (about a half inch thick). They hang loose and don't bind on their dewlaps. Never had a problem with them although I suppose you could, ours pretty much go out for 5 minutes on the tie out and then back in. So it isn't like they are unsupervised. Their necks are so strong I think they would pull the cable down before they would choke themselves... they just seemed very uncomfortable in regular collars and with a harness we would have no control at all.

[ojellod]

Has anyone ever used a halti on their basset? I have 2 and have been pretty successful with prong collars except when we meet other dogs and sometimes people. They will choke the heck out of themselves trying to get closer! My vet suggested haltis. I have been reluctant, because I was afraid they'd be able to get out of them. We've walked in them 3 times, and so far so good. They really are not too crazy about them, but with lots of encouragement and treats we've done okay. And today when we met a jogger there was no pulling and barking, just barking!! Progress, I guess. I also walk them on a double leash, which I find less challenging than 2 separate leashes, but am still wary of trying to do the right thing with the haltis. Any suggestions or feed back on their use?? Thanks very much.

[3spoileddogs]

Collars don't restrict basset breathing unless they are too tight. They can however irritate the extra skin that the bassets have under their necks. Depends on the dog and on the material of the collar. Just be careful...a time or two I have put my bassets collar on too loose...it's hard to judge with all that extra skin under there (LOL)...we went out for a walk and she pulled right out of her collar and ran down the street after the neighbors cat...almost giving me a heart attack. Ever since, I have used martingale collars (like greyhounds wear). I love them because they are loose when the basset is around the house but they can engage and tighten up when you are on a walk. Not to mention they are all nylon, super comfortable and come in some great designs...actually, I buy all of my dog's collars from the greyhound rescue We just won't tell anyone that my dogs aren't greys... LOL