Narrow Martingales
We stock all sizes in our wide (1-1/2 and 2 inch) martingales, but we also offer martingales in narrower widths (1/2, 5/8, 3/4 and 1 inch). We do have a small number of narrower martingales already made and available for sale below, but most martingales in the narrower widths will require a custom order. We do not charge extra for custom ordered martingales or collars, but it can take up to 3 weeks to fill custom orders depending on the volume of orders. As with anything we sell, custom martingale orders are dependent on ribbon availability.
Black velvet lining is available on 1" custom martingales for an extra charge, but velvet is not available on the narrower (1/2, 5/8 or 3/4 inch) widths. Our 1/2, 5/8 and 3/4 inch wide martingales are made with the same lighter weight nylon webbing used in our narrower width clip collars to reduce bulk without a loss of strength. We generally use soft tubular nylon on 1 inch martingales without velvet. For those made with velvet, we use "light weight" nylon webbing to reduce stiffness and bulk without a loss of strength.
For an extra charge, 1 inch wide martingales can also be made with an added plastic side release buckle (the same one used on our 1 inch wide clip collars). This provides the function of a martingale without having to put the martingale over the head.
HOW TO MEASURE: Because a martingale must go over the head and is usually made smaller once it is on the neck, measure around the base of your dog’s neck and around the largest part of their head. In breeds with broad heads, such as Mastiffs, the size of the martingale may be determined by head circumference rather than neck size.
Standard sizes for our stock 1-1/2 and 2 inch wide martingales are as follows:
Small fits 9 - 12 inch necks
Medium fits 12 -15 inch necks
Large fits 15 -20 inch necks
Extra Large fits 20-25 inch necks
While these standard sizes fit most dogs, your dog may need an in-between size. Many of the Narrow Martingales featured here are custom sized, falling somewhere within the standard size ranges.
TO ORDER A CUSTOM MARTNGALE: Any ribbon still in stock can be made into a martingale or a clip collar. To see all ribbons in 1/2, 5/8, 3/4 and 1 inch widths, go to our Clip Collars page. Don't see your favorite ribbon below? Do you need a in-between or size not shown? Contact Us to custom order a martingale to fit your dog. Tell us your breed, your ribbon choice, the measurement around the base of your dog’s neck and the measurement around the largest part of his/her head (usually including the ears).
Information about how to determine the right size martingale for your dog can be found below, but feel free to contact us with questions. We are happy to help.
HOW TO ADJUST YOUR MARTINGALE: Once the martingale is over your dog's head, it should be made smaller by moving the metal slide away from the nearest rectangular metal loop to prevent the martingale from slipping back over the head if the dog pulls backward. To check for proper fit, pull up on the fabric loop by the D ring and check to make sure that the rectangular metal loops on either side of the fabric loop DO NOT touch. A properly fitted martingale will allow you to put 2-3 fingers between the metal loops when pulling on the D ring. Move the metal side to make the martingale larger or smaller to accomplish this.
Finally, two safety comments.
First, if your LARGE dog lunges when on leash, please note that our supplier reports that the cast D rings we normally use on our martingales can occasionally break when placed under great stress due to lunging by heavier dogs. We have never received such a report from one of our customers, but if your larger fur baby lunges (as our Rhodesian Ridgebacks often did when confronted by the temptation of "prey" to chase), please let us know and we will make you a martingale using a welded D ring. We don't think that the shape of the welded D ring is as aesthetically pleasing as the cast D ring, but safety must come before aesthetics.
Secondly, martingale safety is YOUR responsibility! Please inspect your martingale(s) regularly for any wear and tear that might compromise it's strength or safety, and please do not ever leave your dog tied up as strangulation can occur in certain circumstances.
See Frequently Asked Questions for information on washing your martingale.