Fur Saver

Gana with her line attached to the dead ringA fur saver is usually one of the first items obtained by a schutzhund enthusiast. It is the same style as a standard choke collar where the links are dropped through one of the end rings, making a loop which is slipped over the dog's head. They are rarely used for their choking action, and are the usual collar for trials, since the dog is not supposed to wear any kind of flat collar or other training collar. When the leash is attached in trials, it is usually to the "dead ring". This completely by-passes the choking action. These collars can be made of chrome plated nickel, steel, copper, brass and I have seen other metals and alloys too.

I use fur savers extensively for tracking young dogs. I track with two lines so I can help the dog with the left - right motion of following the steps. Each line is placed under each of the dogs front legs and attached to the fur saver with three open links between. This helps more with steering than having the lines attached to the same ring.

When buying a fur saver, a puppy around 4-6 months should fit a 17 - 19". A cheaper chrome plated one will be fine for this purpose, most last around 3 years, more if you carefully dry them off when they get wet. Most females will not require anything larger than 21 - 23". Large males may require 25" or even more.



How to fit a Fur Saver

Fitting a fur saver, drop the middle links through one of the end rings, keep the open end ring on your right

To fit a fur saver, drop the middle links through one of the end rings, to create a loop. With the dog in heeling position, hold the middle of the loop with both hands in a "q" shape, the open end ring (the ring which did not have the links dropped through it) should be on your right.

Fitting a fur saver, slip the loop straight over the dogs head

Slip the loop over the dog's head.

Fitting a fur saver, attaching a leash to the live or open ring

If you attach the leash to the live ring (the open end ring), the collar will tighten as the leash is tightened.

Fitting a fur saver, attaching the leash to the dead ring

On the dead ring, the collar will remain the same size, the dead ring is the same ring that you dropped the rest of the links through earlier. Be careful when the leash is on the dead ring, as the collar can slip over the dog's head if he backs up.

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