Happy 2012!

Martingale Collars 101: how to choose the right size

Effective, practical, and comfortable, martingale collars have become very popular among dog lovers.

Originally designed for Sighthounds such as Greyhounds whose heads are narrower than their necks and can easily slip out of traditional side release or buckle collars, martingale collars effectively prevent escape. Their sensible design and effective use have made them a popular and preferred collar for owners of all dog breeds as well as many dog trainers in recent years.

Each martingale collar has 2 connected loops. The smaller, control loop attaches to the leash while the larger adjustment loop goes on the dog's neck. When the control loop is pulled, the adjustment loop tightens. When used properly, martingale collars never choke and work effectively to prevent escape and for training purposes.

Choosing the right-sized martingale collar is very important and different from sizing traditional collars. Below is our simple, 2-step method to correctly size your dog for a martingale collar:

1. Take 2 measurements - circumference of your dog's neck and the widest part of his/her head.

2. Use the larger of the 2 measurements taken in Step 1 as your guide to choose your collar size. For example, if your dog's neck is 17" and his head is 20", then you should choose size Large (18"-22"), NOT Medium (15"-18") even though your dog's neck at 17" falls within this category.

This is important as dogs vary greatly in size, weight and shape. Breeds like Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Mastiffs have a wider head than neck (use head measurement to size) while other breeds like Dobermans, Whippets, Greyhounds have a wider neck (use neck measurement to size).

Now that you're an expert on martingale collars, check out our collection of martingale designs and order one for your pooch :)
For more info, visit our website and connect with us on our Facebook page.

Tagging Pit Bulls, supporting rescues

We're sending some handmade dog tags and collars to foster Pit Bulls of Our Pack, Inc., a nonprofit Pit Bull rescue group based in Los Gatos, California.

We can't say enough about the wonderful work our friends at Our Pack, Inc.do for all of us every single day.
Through rescue, education, and training, Our Pack rescues, places, and keeps Pit Bulls in homes while providing people with the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful dog owners.
Their effective, multi-pronged program plus a positive, open approach have helped many dogs and people, and changed even more minds toward the Pit Bull breed.

We're big fans of Our Pack and proud to have them as our Rescue Partner.
Through our Rescue Partner program, we support nonprofit rescue organizations like Our Pack by donating a portion of our proceeds as well as products such as our handmade collars and dog tags.
For more info about our Rescue Partner program, visit our website at www.siriusrepublic.com and join us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SiriusRepublic).
To learn more about Our Pack, Inc., visit their website at www.ourpack.org and join them on their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/OurPack).

In the News: Leo the former Michael Vick dog

If you're a dog lover living in the San Francisco Bay Area, as we are, you probably have seen the news segment on KPIX the local CBS station last night about Leo the former Michael Vick dog who is now a therapy dog.
If you missed it, below is the clip telling the story of this amazing Pit Bull, rescued and adopted by Our Pack Inc., a Pit Bull rescue and advocacy group in the Bay Area. Our Pack is also one of our Rescue Partners, a program that allows us to donate a portion of our proceeds to nonprofit organizations such as Our Pack and help them save homeless animals.
I'm proud to add that Leo is wearing one of our hand-sewn martingale collars - The Chief - in the video (not the clown collar, the serious one). Way to go Leo!