What Is a Hound Collar? History, Benefits & Why Every Breed Can Wear One
What Is a Hound Collar?
A hound collar is a specially shaped dog collar that is narrow at the front and wider at the back, designed to distribute pressure across a larger area of the dog’s neck.
Instead of sitting like a flat strap, hound collars:
- follow the natural curve of the neck
- reduce pressure on the trachea
- prevent rubbing and irritation
- offer more comfort and control on the lead
At Woof & Snout, we use a curved neck design so the collar sits flush against your dog’s neck, rather than protruding outward. This helps keep the collar secure, comfortable, and stylish - naturally!
A Little History: Why Hound Collars Were Invented
Hound collars originated in the ancient hunting traditions of sighthound breeds such as greyhounds, salukis, and whippets.
Historically, hunters noticed that:
- sighthounds have long, slender necks
- their tracheas are extremely sensitive
- their heads can be narrower than their necks
A regular flat collar could slip off, cause injury, or create sudden pressure on the throat when the dog lunged.
So wide leather collars were developed to:
- protect the throat
- prevent escape
- distribute pulling tension safely
- reduce the risk of tracheal damage
Fast-forward to today, and the exact same principles benefit every breed, not just sighthounds, and there is a lot more choice in terms of material for your dogs collar.
Why Hound Collars Work for ALL Dogs (Not Just Greyhounds)
Many owners today choose hound collars simply because they look beautiful.
But most don’t realise they are also one of the safest collar styles for the neck and throat.
🌬️ Prevents tracheal irritation
Wide collars spread pressure over a larger area.
Flat collars concentrate pressure on a single point.
If your dog:
- pulls on the lead
- coughs when walking on collar
- has a sensitive throat
- gets worse in cold weather
- …a hound collar can make a huge difference.
Personal note from our founder, Megan:
“Our late collie, Callie, struggled badly in winter. The cold air irritated her throat when she pulled, and we had no idea why at the time. We switched to a harness again eventually, but I wish we had known all we do about hound collars sooner. They would have distributed that pressure and reduced irritation dramatically.”
🦴 Helps prevent long-term throat damage
Dogs who pull even a little can cause ongoing stress on their:
- larynx
- trachea
- supporting ligaments
A hound collar reduces point pressure, which is particularly helpful for:
- puppies learning to walk on lead
- senior dogs
- brachycephalic breeds
- excitable pullers
🐾 Great for fluffy coats
Customers constantly tell us:
“It’s the first collar I can actually SEE on my fluffy dog!”
The wider band and double-layer system helps the collar to sit above thick neck fur, making it:
- more visible
- easier to spot colours
- perfect for photos
- great for personalised name plates
Size Guide: From XXS Chihuahua to XXL Great Dane
Unlike most brands, we offer true size ranges designed for real dogs.
⭐ Available in XXS to XXL
from tiny toy breeds to giant dogs.
Customer favourite sizes:
- C1 Spaniel & Lurcher Size - same width as Medium, but slightly smaller (11”–15”)
- L (Labrador, Doberman and German Shepherd fit) - our most popular overall
- XXS-S1 Chihuahua & Toy Breed size - highly requested and regularly ordered
If you have a breed in between, we can help with sizing advice or custom sizing by email.
Materials, Safety & Why Construction Matters
Not all hound collars are created equal.
At Woof & Snout, we build collars with:
- authentic Biothane
- screws instead of rivets
- independent UK strength-testing on construction
- curved ergonomic shaping
- custom-made embossing tools
Why screws matter
Rivets can fail invisibly if set incorrectly.
A screw can be torqued, sealed, and visually checked.
With years of frontline experience in the emergency services, we take safety seriously. Our dogs are family - we don’t take chances with failure points.
🧡 Learn about the best collar colours for Fox-Red and Ginger Coats
Style Options: From Elegant to Enchanted
Although hound collars were invented for practicality, modern Woof & Snout designs are loved for aesthetics too.
Fan favourites:
- Pattern-embossed hound collars
- Name foil hound collars
- Speckled star backing
- Split light two-tone designs
- Semi-wrap hounds (on request)
Colour choices:
- 61 colours for base and backing
- Silver, black, rose gold, or antique hardware
- Foil embossed name plates
- Hand-painted star detailing
Limitless design combinations = truly personalised collars.
No mass production, no generic colours - every collar is handcrafted in Yorkshire.
Hound Collars FAQ
Are hound collars only for sighthounds?
No. They suit any breed with a neck.
Do hound collars help with pulling?
Yes, they can do - the wider surface helps distribute pressure comfortably so if your dog is pulling from discomfort, it will help to reduce this.
Can puppies wear hound collars?
Absolutely, especially if they pull or cough on lead. But, even if they don't - prevention is better than cure. All dogs will benefit from hound collars when walked on a collar, regardless of breed or are.
Are hound collars heavy?
No - ours are lightweight yet strong thanks to our Biothane construction.
Can you swim in a hound collar?
Yes! But only in freshwater and make sure to rinse and air dry the collar to protect the metal from rusting. Please note, we don’t recommend swimming in salt water. Rinse and air-dry immediately if it happens to protect your collar. Even most collars on the market recommended for salt water, are not suitable. We are currently developing a core salt-water range with specialist materials for 2026.
🖤 Find out more about the best collar colours for black-coated dogs
Finally...
Hound collars began as a practical solution for sensitive sighthound necks, but they’ve become one of the safest, most comfortable, and most beautiful collar types for all dogs.
From Chihuahuas to Great Danes, puppies to seniors, fluffy to smooth coats - a hound collar supports comfort, control, and style.
Ready to Choose Yours?
👉 Shop Hound Collars (made in Yorkshire)
👉 Design Your Own Collar
The photos featured in this article are kindly taken and shared with us by our customers and ambassadors. If you would like to learn more about some of the incredible dogs in our community, take a look at our Spotlight Stories.