Glossary

Martingale collar

A two-loop collar that tightens a limited amount when a dog pulls, so it cannot slip over a narrow head but does not choke when sized correctly.

Also called: martingale, limited-slip collar, greyhound collar, safety collar, slip collar

A martingale collar, also called a limited-slip collar, has a main band and a smaller loop of fabric or chain to which the leash attaches. When the dog pulls back, the smaller loop tightens the main band, but only to the size of the dog's neck, not tighter. That stops a dog backing out of the collar and escaping.

It is common for dogs with heads as narrow as or narrower than the neck, such as the Greyhound, the Whippet, the Saluki and the Borzoi, and for dogs that wriggle out of regular collars. A correct fit is when the band sits high on the neck, and when it tightens, the loops do not meet.

A martingale is not a training choke chain. It is a safety collar that you take off when the dog is unattended, since a loose loop can snag. An alternative is a well-fitted harness; see harness vs collar.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Harness vs collar A flat collar holds ID tags, while a harness spreads a leash's pull across a dog's chest and shoulders instead of the neck. Dolichocephalic Having a long, narrow skull and a long muzzle, as in the Greyhound, Collie, Borzoi and Saluki. Dog license A local government registration of a dog, often required by law, usually needing proof of rabies vaccination and giving a tag that helps return a lost dog.