Collar & Product Guides
Choosing the Right Whippet Collar: A Complete Guide
If you share your life with a Whippet, you’ll know just how elegant, affectionate, and quick these sighthounds are. Their unique body shape and sensitive nature mean they need a collar that’s not only stylish but also supportive and comfortable. With so many choices out there, it can be tricky to know where to begin.
This guide covers everything you need to know when choosing the best collar for your Whippet — including collar types, how to measure correctly, and whether a harness might suit them better. Whether you’re shopping for your first Whippet or treating a long-time companion, we’ve got you covered.
Why Whippets Need Special Collars
Whippets aren’t built like most dogs. Their heads are narrower than their necks, which means a standard flat collar can easily slip off, and for a dog that can reach 35mph, that can be a serious safety risk.
Their slim necks also mean that narrow collars concentrate pressure in a small area, which can cause discomfort or injury if your dog pulls or lunges suddenly.
That’s why collars for Whippets are shaped specifically for sighthound anatomy; wider through the middle to spread pressure gently across the neck, and sized to fit properly without the risk of slipping over the head.
Types of Collars for Whippets
There are two main walking collar styles most Whippet owners choose from: fishtail collars and martingale collars. Both are designed with sighthound anatomy in mind, the main difference comes down to how much control you need on the lead.
Fishtail Collars
Fishtail collars are wider through the middle and taper to narrower ends where the buckle and D-ring sit. This shape spreads pressure evenly across the neck rather than concentrating it in one spot, a much kinder option for a slim sighthound neck than a standard flat collar.
They’re the most popular choice for everyday walks, and the sleek shape suits the Whippet’s long neck well. If your Whippet walks reasonably calmly on lead and you’re after something they can wear comfortably every day, a fishtail is likely the right starting point.
Our Padded Leather Whippet Collar is one of our most popular choices for Whippets. It’s wider through the middle for comfort, with a soft padded lining that sits gently against the neck. Handmade to order in Northumberland, it’s available in 28 colours of Italian leather so you can find something that really suits your dog.
Something for Every Whippet
Once you’ve decided a fishtail is the right shape, the fun part begins. Our Whippet fishtail collars come in plain Italian leather in 28 colours, so whether your Whippet is fawn, brindle, or anything in between, there’s something to complement them.
If you’re looking for something a little more special, our Swarovski crystal Whippet collars are set with genuine crystals in a range of patterns, with your choice of leather colour and crystal colour combination. Each one is handmade to order and tends to turn heads at the park.
And if you want something genuinely unlike anything else out there, our Printed Sighthound Collar Collection brings bold, artistic designs directly onto the leather surface using UV printing. From painterly abstracts to vivid patterns, these are collars that treat your Whippet’s neck as a canvas. Nobody else makes printed leather collars specifically for sighthounds, and each design is UV printed directly onto the leather surface for a finish that’s as durable as it is distinctive.
Whether you’re after a classic plain leather fishtail, a crystal-studded showstopper, or something from the Printed Collection, the full range is in our Whippet collar collection.
Martingale Collars
Martingale collars were originally designed for sighthounds, breeds whose heads are often narrower than their necks, which means they can Harry Houdini out of a regular collar with ease. They tighten gently when your dog pulls, then relax again when the lead loosens, enough to prevent slipping, without any choking or discomfort.
They’re worth considering if your Whippet is prone to backing out of their collar, tends to pull, or is on the nervous side and might spook unpredictably. Many Whippet owners use a martingale for walks and a lighter house collar at home.
Our Whippet martingale is handmade to order in your choice of 28 leather colours, with optional padding for extra comfort against the neck. Every collar is sized specifically for the Whippet’s slim neck.
How to Measure a Whippet for a Collar
- Wrap a soft tape measure around the top of your dog’s neck—just behind the ears and under the chin.
- Note the measurement in inches — this is your dog’s neck measurement.
- Choose the size where that measurement falls within the range, ideally towards the smaller end to allow for adjustment.
This is the narrowest part of your dog’s head, and measuring here helps reduce the risk of your Whippet slipping out of their collar.
Example:
If your dog’s measurement is 12″, choose the 11″ to 13″ size. This means the collar adjusts between 11 and 13 inches — it does not mean the total length of the collar is 13″.
If measuring from an existing collar, measure from the end of the leather to the hole you use — not the total length of the collar. The total length will result in a collar that’s too big.
Many adult Whippets fall into the 11″–13″ size range, but it’s always essential to measure properly. Choose a collar where your dog’s neck size sits comfortably within the adjustable range.
House Collars for Whippets
Whippets are often seen wearing two collars, and there’s a good reason for that.
Their walking collars, whether that’s a fishtail or a martingale, are wider and more structured, which is exactly what you want out on a walk. But that same structure makes them less than ideal for wearing around the house all day. Too bulky for the sofa, and not something you’d want rubbing against a Whippet’s neck while they sleep.
That’s where a house collar comes in. Slim, soft, and light enough that most dogs forget they’re wearing one, it’s there for one job: keeping an ID tag on your dog at all times, which is a legal requirement in the UK whether you’re indoors or out.
What that looks like in practice varies from dog to dog. Some owners prefer a simple leather collar with a clasp, much like a scaled-down version of a walking collar. Others go for a minimal slip-on style with just an O-ring, which has barely any hardware at all and is about as unobtrusive as a collar gets. If your Whippet spends time near water, a waterproof PVC option makes more sense than leather. And if you’ve ever worried about a collar catching on something while your dog is home alone, a breakaway clasp gives you that extra peace of mind.
Ours are made to order in 28 colours, so whatever style suits your dog best, you can find something that looks the part too.
Whippet Collars vs Harnesses
Harnesses have their place, and for Whippets with throat conditions or specific medical needs they can be the right call. But for most Whippets, a well-fitted sighthound collar is all they need for everyday walking, and it’s a simpler, more comfortable solution than a harness for a breed that’s generally light on the lead.
The main argument for harnesses is pressure distribution, but a wide fishtail collar already addresses that by spreading contact across the neck rather than concentrating it. And if escape is your concern, a martingale solves that too.
One thing worth knowing: in the UK, dogs are legally required to wear an ID tag in public, and most harnesses don’t have a practical way to carry one. That means even harness owners usually need a lightweight collar alongside it. Our house collars are made exactly for that purpose, soft enough to wear all day without any discomfort, with a D-ring for an ID tag.
So, Which Whippet Collar Should You Choose?
If you’re starting from scratch and not sure where to begin, our most popular choice for Whippets is the Padded Leather Whippet Collar. The fishtail shape sits comfortably against a sighthound neck, the padding adds a layer of softness for everyday wear, and with 28 colours of Italian leather to choose from, it’s rare that anyone can’t find something they love.
For most Whippet owners, that walking collar pairs well with a Soft Leather House Collar for wearing around the home. Between the two, your dog has everything they need, a well-fitted walking collar for out and about, and something slim and lightweight to carry their ID tag the rest of the time.
If your Whippet is prone to slipping their collar or needs a little more reassurance on lead, a martingale collar is worth considering instead. And if you’ve fallen down the rabbit hole of crystal collars or the Printed Collection, we don’t blame you.
More Whippet Advice
Want to learn more about caring for your Whippet and choosing the right accessories? Here are some helpful reads:
- Why Whippets Need Special Collars
- Best Collars for Whippet Puppies
- Are Martingale Collars Good for Whippets?
- How to Measure a Whippet for a Collar
FAQs About Whippet Collars
Do Whippets need a special collar?
Yes. Whippets have a unique anatomy that makes standard dog collars unsuitable for everyday use. Their heads are often narrower than their necks, which means a regular flat collar can slip off far too easily, a serious risk for a breed that can reach 35mph. Their slim, lightly muscled necks also mean that narrow collars concentrate pressure in a small area, which can cause discomfort or injury if the dog pulls or lunges. Whippet-specific collars are shaped and sized to account for both of these things, offering a safer and more comfortable fit for sighthound anatomy.
Why do Whippets wear a wide collar?
The width is there to distribute pressure. A narrow collar on a slim sighthound neck concentrates any pulling force into a small area, which can cause real discomfort and over time may damage the trachea or surrounding tissue. A wider collar spreads that force across a larger surface area, making it much gentler on the neck. The traditional fishtail shape, wider through the middle and tapering at the ends, has been used on sighthounds for centuries for exactly this reason.
Where exactly should I measure my Whippet for a collar?
For a Whippet, you should always measure at the narrowest point of the neck, just behind the ears and under the chin. This is different from how you’d measure most other breeds, where a mid-neck measurement is standard. With Whippets, the mid-neck measurement is often too large, the collar needs to fit at the narrowest point because that’s where it sits when worn correctly, and where it would need to slip over if your dog backed out. Take the measurement snugly but not tightly, and if you’re measuring from an existing collar, measure from the end of the leather to the hole you use, not the total length of the collar.
What size collar does a Whippet need?
Most adult Whippets measure between 11 and 13 inches at the narrowest point of the neck, just behind the ears. However, there is natural variation between individuals, so always measure your own dog rather than relying on a general size guide. A well-fitted Whippet collar should sit snugly enough that it cannot be pulled over the head, but with enough room to slide two fingers underneath comfortably. If you are between sizes, get in touch with us and we’ll make a collar that is tailor-made to your dog.
Which is the best collar for a Whippet?
For most Whippets, a padded leather fishtail collar is the best everyday choice. The fishtail shape is designed specifically for sighthound anatomy, wider through the middle to spread pressure gently across the neck. Padding adds an extra layer of comfort against the skin, which is particularly useful for dogs that wear their collar for extended periods. For Whippets that are prone to slipping their collar or tend to pull and spook on the lead, a martingale collar offers more security, it tightens slightly when tension is applied and releases immediately when the lead relaxes, preventing escape without any choking. Most Whippet owners also keep a lightweight house collar for wearing at home, which holds an ID tag without the bulk of a walking collar.
How long does delivery take, and what if the size isn’t right?
All Petiquette collars are handmade to order in Northumberland, so please allow 3-7 working days (Monday – Friday) for your collar to be made and dispatched. Full details of current lead times and delivery options are on our delivery information page. If the size isn’t quite right when it arrives, please get in touch and we’ll do our best to help, details of our returns and exchanges process can be found on our returns page.