Contributed by Mila Blogavich:

Dog collars due to popular belief are not only used for aesthetic purposes, but have a very important and overlooked functionality–that of being able to identify your dog. In a culture where dogs have become a special and important part of the family having a dog collar let’s others know that your dog belongs to you, and if lost, can be returned to a loving home.

Functionality of a dog collar

Dog collars can be made out of different materials these days, before people used ropes or chains, today leather, synthetic materials and cloth are used. But the most important part of that accessory is the little tag that hangs at the front of the neck. This tag will most likely have pertinent information about the family of the dog, like the address, the dogs name, and a possibly a contact number. If your dog has a tag and can be identified from it, then your dog collar is serving its primary purpose. You can also connect a dog leash to the collar and keep your dog from running wild, getting hurt, or from possibly hurting another dog or a human. Dog collars are very important for these last reasons.

Choosing the right dog collar

Choosing the right dog collar is central to keeping a happy and safe dog. If the collar is too loose your dog may get out of the collar and run away or get lost, and there will be no way for people to identify your pet—a main reason why dogs get lost and cannot be returned to their rightful owners. If a collar is too tight your pet may not be able to breathe comfortably. The main key is to keep your dog happy by finding the right fit. The way to do this is to measure under the dog collar about two fingers, no more. Measuring the amount of space between the dog collar and your dogs neck will give you a good idea that the collar is the right fit. Once you have found the right fit, finding the right style of collar whether it’s a training dog collar or a basic one will be a matter of what your dog needs.

Dog collars are needed for each pet and in many cases if a dog does not have a collar they can be picked up and taken to the pound. Having this essential accessory allows you to have control of your pet with a leash or identify the pet once you let it run around. If you have a good collar that fits well you will keep your dog out of harms way and ultimately have a healthy pet.

Mila Blogavich is the Webmaster of DogCollarsCenter.com