A dog is not a home animal, contrary to what many people think, although it is a social being who likes to be relatively close to their masters, whom they consider their family, that is to say you. Escapism is a common factor in many dogs and is due to its natural tendency to travel a territory in search of hunting or other traveling companions.

That is why we usually take dogs down the street, at least in urban centers, tied and with a collar. It is not a measure of strength but of protection, as when we shake hands with a small child so that it does not get lost. We must bear in mind that the dog is not in a logical environment for him in the center of the town or the city, and needs to be guided.

But for it, so that the experience of both dog and human that guides it is satisfactory, it is necessary to know how to choose the necklace that you will put on the dog and the leash with which you will wear it. Not everything goes from the moment when not all dogs have the same size or the same strength, and neither do the same activities nor do they have the same length of hair.

All these conditioning factors will influence the right choice. But before opting for a strap and a necklace, we should know the main types of accessories that are on the market.

• Nylon: it is the material most used for its resistance to traction, as well as for its ease to be cleaned if the dog is stained with mud or other substances that are on the ground: it resists soaps and dries immediately because it does not retain the humidity. Both collars and straps can be found in different thicknesses depending on the size of the dog. The only problem that has is that in short-haired dogs can cause friction and erosions that lead to sores, so it should be removed after the ride. Aesthetically they present the problem that over time they become disfigured.
• Leather: it is the other favorite material of manufacturers and owners, because although it is not as resistant as nylon, it supports tractions well. It has the advantage that it causes less friction to be all smooth surface, which prevents sores in short-haired dogs. In addition it is usually more aesthetic. However, if it becomes dirty with mud or other substances, after washing it will acquire moisture and soften. Over time the straps tend to blacken and, with the traction of our friend, the collars usually give of themselves.
• Fabric: lately there are some collars and cloth straps for certain small breeds. They do not resist traction well in large dogs and if stained they are difficult to wash. Some models have a double stitching with drying balls inside, but in the end they also get clogged.
• Strap-loop necklace: these are round nylon straps that are finished off by a rope or loop that is passed through the dog's neck. They have the advantage that it is not necessary to have an additional collar and that when we get home we can remove it all in one piece. However, in nervous and strong dogs can cause strangulation.

What belt do I choose according to my dog?

• If your dog is of a large breed you should choose a leash of dimensions according to the diameter of its neck and its power. To measure the width, your fingers should fit between the collar and collar once worn. Also that they adapt well to their morphology; For example, there are wide necklaces for greyhounds, which have a very long neck.
• If your dog as well as being big is nervous, you should value between nylon and leather, but always in two pieces, ie necklace and strap separately, never on a rope. The collar will not make you pull less and if that is what you want, hire a trainer or put a harness, so you avoid strangulation. Additionally, there is a type of long leather strap that we can attach to our trunk so that it is easier for us to control the traction of the dog.
• If it is a long-haired animal it can work equally well with leather or with nylon, but if it is a very short or sparse hair breed, value a leather collar to avoid rubbing; If you put nylon on it, take it off when you get home.
• If your dog is one of those that likes to frolic in puddles, get into bushes and get dirty, so you have to clean it often, nylon is your choice, because the leather will darken very quickly with the washes. Regarding the fabric, if it has prints, it will soon be stained and lose its color.
• If you have a small, urban and quiet breed dog that instead of pulling you follow without hitting too many brakes, you should opt for collars of its size and can be both nylon and leather, and even loop, as it will not drown . They can also be fabric with prints.