We talk a lot about different dog collar styles. It can be a difficult decision to know exactly which  will best suit your pooch — stripes or polka dots, bold or neutral, funky or fabulous. But apart from knowing exactly what kind of fabric and look you like the most, it is important for pet parents to also keep in mind what sort of catch they prefer.

By catch I am of course referring to the collar clasp. Overall there are two main options to choose from: the very common plastic clasp (left) or the old-fashioned buckle style (right). The first is extremely easy to use — simply squeeze either side and the collar pops open. Voila! However, I often wonder about the durability of a plastic catch under extreme pressure. For everyday use is fine and dandy, but my internal worrier wonders how those catches stand up against a big dog pulling after a squirrel for example. (Of course, I know these clasps are indeed very strong…) The second option is usually metallic by design and is most definitely very strong and secure. The con? It can be a bit fiddly and more time consuming to open.

So I’m curious, which clasp option do you prefer? Do you use one kind more than the other? Is this something you think about when collar shopping for your pup?

By the way, how great are each of the above collars? Aren’t the colours stunning? The first is called ‘Prism‘ by Collars by Design and the other is called ‘Cassette‘ by Backbeat Leather.