Collars leaving deep ridge

[BramblesToRoses]

Hello,

I have a large (utterly loveable) lab. He wears a properly fitting buckle collars all day. Im certain that it"s not too tight- I can easily fit 2 fingers under it anywhere.. It's also not too loose. It sits against his fur without hanging down. I remove it after his last toilet break ar night so he can sleep overnight without it. I startwd this a couple of months ago to see of that would resolve it. It hasn't.

Like many labs his fur is short-ish, thick and the fur on his back is relatively "rough" (rather than supersoft) to touch (but beautifully shiny and healthy looking).

On walks his lead is attached to harness but on his quick 5 min toilet breaks (several times daily) his lead is attached to his collar. I'm willing to start putting harness on for all outings if it would help. I WFH so sometimes speed is of essence though.

Problem is that his collar is leaving a permanent ridge in the fur around the back of his neck (not the front of his neck at all, which has completely normal smooth fur). The ridge is about 1-2cm deep and doesn't brush out. He currently has 2 collars which he alternates between and it happens the same for both. Both are "fabric" buckle collars (woven nylon I think) around 2.5cm wide. One' is by Ruffwear and the other is by EzyDog.

I'm reluctant to use a leather buckle collar as I'm vegetarian but would if best for my dog's comfort. I'm also reluctant to take collar off in house all day just in case there's ever an emergency where we need to leave urgently (e.g. fire, burglary etc) as his collar contains his ID, or he gets out when I open front door for deliveries (never happens but just in case).

Any suggestions on most comfortable collar types that will prevent this? Would a rolled leather collar help? If I used that would his lead always need to be attached to his harness (and never to collar?) OK if so.

Like all of us on here, I want the very best for my dog, his happiness and comfort are top priorities. He's my first dog and relatively young at 2yo and I know many of you have much more experience.

My concern is that just concerned that a collar which leaves a ridge might be uncomfortable for my dog.

Hope someone can help with experience or suggestions. Does anyone else's dog get this?

Ps he shows absolutely no sign of discomfort from his collar, no scratching or anything. He's always super keen to have it put back on in the morning. He sits eagerly for this every time, with his "Im a good boy, I've earned it!" expression (exactly like he would if i were giving him the best treato in the world (rather than just giving him his collar back!). He seems to love the smell of it (like it's its his premium "aftershave" lol) and he seems to feel incomplere without it.

I can easily spin his collar round to find buckle or his lead hook. Any looser and it would create risk of him backing out of it and/or getting his nail or toe caught and damaged in it if he scratched his neck So I'm really sure it's correctly fitted. But I am now wondering whether that type of collar just doesn't agree with his fur type.

Sorry, his current collars both have secure quick release clips (not buckles).

does he really have to wear it indoors all the time? @BramblesToRoses

You could try a hemp collar?

eta, this site could also offer solutions

No and yes respectively!

Hemp collar good idea and one I hadn't thought of, thanks. Will try that. He doesn't need to wear collar indoors all day but on balance I reckon it's in his best interests to,. Just in case he accidentally got out front door with people coming and going. We take all steps to prevent that and its never come vlose to happening, but always a "what if".
He's un-neutered (although will likely be chemically castated soon) so he's more likely to feel motivated to go awol for longer alone than an neutered dog might be.

Ours never wears a collar indoors - is it really necessary?

Mine wear rolled leather collars and these have never left indentations as you describe.

Mine never wear collars indoors.

Equally biothane collars do not make a mark on my labs fur can be easily washed after muddy walks.

A wider collar is less likely to make a mark on the dogs fur.

Rolled collars are less likely to matt dogs fur.

Ezy dog and ruffwear are both nylon collars and more likely to damage/break the fur causing indentation

Biothane is brilliant

Personally, as long as the collar it's tight, I wouldn't worry about the fur indentations unless you want to show him or something. My wedding ring has left an intention on my finger, it's in no way too tight.

Our dog never wore a collar indoors. It's definitely the having it on all the time that is causing this problem.

You mention the ID thing. Is he microchipped?

If no collar in home is the only option.to stop the indent in fur I'd certainly consider that. Not against that idea as such. I know a few people whose dogs only wear collars on walks. And if my circumstances were different Id likely do that too. But where we live on busy road I'm concerned that if he ever accidentally got out that he'd be more at risk without his collar and ID tag.

That's interesting, thanks. What type of fur does your dog have if you don't mind sharing that?

Interesting, thanks, both about the biothane (which I'm happy to try espesciallydue to his occassional fondness for rolling in what I hope is mud) and interesting that wider collars may be better.option too.

They are Labs, like yours! Best dogs.

They are Labs like yours!

Yes he's definately microchipped. Breeder did it before he left her at 2mo and its been checked regularly by vet for vaccination record etc and at almost every training class I've ever taken him to.

I have a poodle but she is very closely clipped so her fur is short with less “bounce back” than you might expect. Pretty much any collar leaves some sort of faint mark, it’s like the wedding ring analogy PP uses above.
I agree with biothane, I think it’s a function of how light the collar is, and surface area to spread the pressure.

I would think about a buckle over a clip though, especially if you’re worried about escape as they re much more secure.

Thanks, yes I'm willing to try buckle over a clip too. I've had the fright of having a collar clip snap leaving me holding just a lead with an open collar attached. I now ensure I check the clip for damage daily but if buckles are more secure even better.

Thanks so much everyone, a lot of really good points and suggestions. I'm willing to try them all to find ones that work for my doggo 🐶