Some dogs injure areas of a neck and a back because of wearing a collar. It happens when the dog sharply pulls a lead, and the owner tries to hold. To avoid similar injuries, it is recommended to accustom a dog to a breast-band. The breast-band is a belt which is put on corps of a dog and passes through his armpits and a neck. It allows to distribute correctly strength of an animal at breakthroughs. Initially breast-bands were thought up for draft dogs, but presently they became a popular walks accessory.
Before buying a breast-band for the pet, it is necessary to choose for what purposes it will be used. Constant use of a breast-band for exhibition dogs because at an exhibition the collar is more often used is not recommended. And, having got used to a breast-band, the dog will feel inconveniently in a collar.
Breast-bands happen a different look, they are divided by a method of their use: - the walking breast-band is sewed from leather or nylon. But since skin well absorbs moisture, it is worth be put on in dry weather. Because of moisture it can be deformed. Models of a classical breast-band look as two belts sewed among themselves in four points;
- the breast-band for small breeds of dog was thought up much more before all other models. Usually they have the handle on a back to lift a dog on hands and to carry her so; - the breast-band for large breeds is designed so that the dog cannot pull a lead. Therefore the teenager will cope with walk even. But for large aggressive breeds of dog of a breast-band are not recommended absolutely, for them special collars are thought up; - a breast-band for puppies simple in a design, it is easy and soft. Use of such breast-band is recommended only from age of 8-10 months. Before its carrying can deform to a puppy a backbone and elbows, and he will lose a rack; - exhibition breast-bands thin, there are more decorative. On them usually there are beautiful accessories, patterns, weaving. On walks it is better not to use them because of a fragile design; - sports breast-bands (for draft dogs) have a special design which covers all body of an animal. Such breast-bands sew from strong fabrics to order; - cargo breast-bands are intended for development at a dog of the pulling force. In some models there are pockets in which cargo is put. In the loaded breast-bands the dog is forbidden to jump, otherwise the back injury is possible; - breast-bands for search dogs are made of leather and tarpaulin with reliable fastenings. They have to be free that to a search dog it was easily breathed; - the breast-band in the form of a vest is applied on dwarfish breeds of dog. Often they are warmed for winter walks; - medical breast-bands are used for walking of the injured animals. They look as a vest which covers more than a half of a trunk of a dog. At the same time fastenings are behind that the dog could move front extremities quietly.
How to choose a breast-band for a dog? After you decided for what your dog needs a breast-band, pay attention to some aspects upon its purchase in shop. Material of a breast-band has to be strong and wearproof. At the same time it has to be soft or with a pleasant substrate under the main belt. Belts of a breast-band which is used constantly have to be rather wide not to crash into a body of an animal. The top belt has to be on width of a dog that did not slip in different directions during walk. The side belt should not rub to a dog in armpits, in that place there has to be a gap in width of several fingers. Let there will be several fasteners, it will simplify putting on process. To a dog it will be comfortable if fasteners are on a back and repeat its bend. Choose model such which easily fits a dog, does not press it and does not constrain her movements. The breast-band has to sit densely, but your palm has to squeeze easily between it and a body of a dog. The breast-band should not sag under a dog at all, it can lead to a trauma. For small dogs it is possible to choose not so much strong breast-bands how many convenient and soft. It is a little beauty in the form of a wicker or the rhinestone will not prevent. To breeds of dog at which a short muzzle or a wide neck (pugs, a dachshund, bulldogs, a chihuahua) breast-bands are recommended more, than collars. It is connected with the structure of their thorax. For dogs of the large and average sizes of a breast-band it is worth selecting strong, from genuine leather or a wattled tape with tarpaulin inserts. Carabiners and fastenings on such breast-bands have to be steel, reliable, and rings – integral. To learn what size the breast-band suits your dog, it is necessary to measure an animal. Measure by usual tailor's meter length of a dog from the basis of a tail and to withers. It will be key parameter. Further, measure thorax volume behind forepaws in the widest place. Add to this indicator 2 cm on freedom. And the last parameter is a grasp of a neck. It is measured where there passes the collar. The size of a breast-band is determined by the table which is in each pet-shop. If parameters of your dog get between two sizes, then choose in favor of bigger.