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Because my personal dogs each wear them, I sometimes get asked about spiked collars and what their purpose is, if any. Spiked dog collars today are sometimes a fashion statement, and are available from a myriad of retailers in countless sizes, colors and styles.
Note that “spiked dog collars” are different from “prong collars.” Spiked dog collars are flat collars with spikes facing outward, away from the dog. A prong collar is a training tool used to apply pressure-and-release training for dogs.
If you’re here to learn more about prong collars, you can learn more about them and other types of collars and training tools in my article, A Complete Guide to Leash Tools.
Spiked collars, on the other hand, are a different thing all together. Popularized by tough TV and movie dogs in cool-looking gear, many people today (like myself) buy them partially as a fashion statement, like many other flat collars.
But there’s more to these spiked collars than fashion and style. Spiked collars actually have a long, interesting history, and a very serious purpose.
What is the Point of Spiked Dog Collars?
The purpose of spiked dog collars is to protect the dog’s delicate neck from attack.
Typically, it is to protect them from other dogs and wild animals, which might try to bite their neck and cause them harm if left exposed.
The spiked dog collar is, in essence, a modernized version of a gnarlier tool called the “wolf collar,” which was designed similarly to protect livestock guardian dogs from fights with wolves while on the job.
Wolf collars, or roccale in Italian, had much longer spikes that were often made entirely of metal such as steel. The metal base of the collar, where it sits on the dog’s neck, acts as an armor against punctures to the vital arteries and airway. The spikes, which often protrude a few inches, are present to prevent wolves trying to bite a dog’s neck, and injure wolves that might try.
The modern spiked dog collar serves a similar function while also taking on a more appealing appearance. The wolf collar does not need to look pretty, and often does not; rust and bent spikes are acceptable, because it does not alter the tool’s function.
Additionally, the modern spiked dog collar is much safer for wear in pet dogs. Unless a dog is a full-time worker, long and gnarly protruding spikes can do unintended damage to the handler or other animals the dog might interact with.
In the end, the spiked dog collar is a modernized form of protection for pet dogs, based on a collar meant to protect their livestock-guarding cousins.
Do Spike Collars Hurt Dogs?
As covered in regards to wolf collars, or roccale, spiked dog collars are actually meant to protect the wearer from potential attack. It would be very unlikely for a dog to harm themselves through wear of a spiked dog collar, as most dogs cannot twist their necks in a way that the spikes could harm their face or shoulders.
That said, there is of course a chance of a dog poking themselves on the paw or leg while trying to scratch, and this could cause a moment of discomfort. However, both spiked dog collars and their predecessor the wolf collar are specifically designed with slightly-blunted tips that prevent any significant injury from the dog grazing themselves on the spikes.
Most modern spiked collars for pet dogs will have a leather band with rivet-style spikes which, even on the most intense collars will be slightly-blunted at the tips to prevent severe injury unless the dog is being attacked.
Why Do Dogs Wear Spiked Collars?
My personal dogs, and many others, mostly wear their spiked dog collars for the sake of fashion. However, there are other reasons I have my dogs wear them, and many that the average dog owner might consider having one around.
If you live in an area with irresponsible dog owners or dangerous stray dogs, having your dog wear a spiked collar can provide a little bit of peace of mind in taking your dog out for walks and other excursions.
Knowing that your dog will have a little bit of protection in case of an unpredictable disaster, for me, is reason enough to have a spiked collar. If an aggressive dog were to get off leash or run up on you, there’s certainly value in having a deterrent around your dog’s most vital and exposed areas.
Understand, however, that not all spiked collars provide the same level of protection. Collars with a wider band and longer spikes are, of course, going to protect a dog more effectively in an emergency. And you can tell by a quick glance which collars have less bluntness to the spikes, as well.
A “fashion” spiked collar, with short blunted spikes. This kind of collar provides minimal protection and is mostly for looks.
A spiked collar with a wider band and longer spikes. The spikes on this collar cover more of the surface area and have a sharper point than the fashion collar.
A spiked collar with an extra-wide band and a generous set of long, sharp spikes.
At the end of the day, spiked collars, while usually seen as a stylish fashion accessory, actually can serve a role in protecting our pets from danger.
