Martingales are wonderful collars for a lot of different dogs, as they provide more control over the animal without the choking effect of a slip collar.
These collars were originally designed for sighthounds because their necks are larger than their heads and they can often slip out of buckle collars. Martingales have gained popularity among other breed owners, with many trainers now recommending them instead of choke chains or buckle collars.
Properly fitted, the collar will be comfortably loose when not in use. When the Martingale control loop is pulled, the two o-rings on the collar should pull close together but not touch. When adjusted properly, the dog is never choked and the collar stays snug around the dog's neck until the pressure is released.
A martingale collar is made with two loops. A larger loop, which goes around the dog's neck, and a smaller loop, which can be tightened by pulling on the attached lead. When the dog tries to pull their head out of the collar, the tension on the leash pulls the small loop taunt, which makes the large loop smaller and tighter on the neck, preventing escape.
These diagrams show how the two loops on a martingale collar work.
Martingales can be, however, a little tricky for measurement purposes. Please see our Collar Measuring Guidelines under the Information menu.
Brass plated martingale chains
All of these chains are 4" in length. The only difference is the size of the o-rings. Also, please note the slightly different connection on the bottom chain (5/8") for the center ring.
3/8", 1/2", or 5/8"
O-rings - 10 mm x 2 mm
Wire gauge - 1.35 mm
Length of chain - 15 cm
Small - Herm Sprenger martingale chain
O-rings - 14 mm x 2 mm
Wire gauge - 1.50 mm
Length of chain - 14 cm
Medium - Herm Sprenger martingale chain
O-rings - 18 mm x 3 mm
Wire gauge - 2.0 mm
Length of chain - 21 cm
2.0 mm 6" OR 8" long chrome plated chain assembly
with 1/2" (internal diameter) welded O rings
approx. 4" and 5" overall length
2.5 mm 6" long chrome plated chain assembly
with 3/4" (internal diameter) welded O rings -
approx. 4 1/4" overall length
Double 4 strand whiskey martingale with chain closure.
Double 4 strand whiskey martingale with kangaroo closure.
Please note that these closures will not last as long as metal chains because of the friction on the leather. Keep your dog's pulling habits in mind when deciding on a closure style.
Some past examples of martingale collars:
Double 4 strand, black kangaroo martingale with three red and black Turk's head buttons.
6 strand kangaroo martingale, braided in a spiral pattern with 4 strands of peony and 2 strands of natural tan. Two tone pineapple buttons were placed at each end.
8 strand kangaroo martingale, braided with 7 strands of whiskey and 1 strand of apple. Spanish ring knots and a Turk's head button on each end.
8 strand kangaroo martingale, braided in a double V pattern utilizing 4 strands of apple, 2 strands of black and 2 strands of natural tan.
8 strand kangaroo martingale, braided in a V pattern with 6 strands of peony and 2 strands of red. Two tone Turk's head buttons on each end.
4 strand whiskey martingale
4 strand kangaroo martingale, braided in a spiral pattern with turquoise and black.
Double, 4 strand, black kangaroo martingale with bright blue spanish ring knots and two tone Turk's head buttons.
8 strand kangaroo martingale in brandy.
6 strand kangaroo martingale, braided in a spiral pattern with 4 strands of black and 2 strands of turquoise.
6 strand martingale, braided in a spiral pattern with 4 strands of whiskey and 2 strands of turquoise.
Kangaroo martingales can also be made with a braided kangaroo closure. This small collar is braided with grape and black kangaroo lace in a spiral pattern.
Double 4 strand martingale with brandy and black spirals. Brandy Spanish ring knots hold the strands together.
6 strand martingale, braided in a spiral pattern with 4 strands of red, 1 strand of white and 1 strand of black.
6 strand black kangaroo martingale with 3 bright yellow and black Turk's head buttons.
Double, black strand martingale with Turk's head buttons in apple and black.
Triple spiral of dark brown, ochre and natural tan.
Dark brown and cognac stripes make up this 4 strand martingale.
8 strand kangaroo martingale with 4 strands of natural tan, 2 white and 2 cognac.
8 strand martingale with 6 strands of fern, 1 natural tan and 1 hazel.
8 strand kangaroo martingale with 4 strands of dark brown, 2 hazel and 2 blueberry.
8 strand kangaroo martingale with 6 strands of black and 2 strands of white. Beads match the leash.
8 strand martingale with 5 strands of black, 2 hot pink and 1 white. Word beads are set between spanish ring knots.
4 strand red and black martingale with two tone Turk's head buttons and spanish ring knots.
Double, ochre 4-strand martingale with Turk's head buttons in apple and white, flanked by white spanish ring knots.
Double, red 4-strand martingale with Turk's head buttons in red and black, flanked by black spanish ring knots.
Double, 4-strand martingale braided with 2 ochre, 1 apple and 1 white. Turk's head buttons in solid ochre.