Outdoor Dog Chains For Yards Buyer’s Guide
Shopping for outdoor dog chains can be a bit of a nightmare whether it is your first one or a replacement piece. There are just so many shiny options grabbing your eye and confusing you. The best way to make a good decision on such a purchase is to understand what different specifications mean.
That is why we have compiled this buyer’s guide for you. That way you will know what you are getting from different features for a more informed decision. Without further ado, here are some of the crucial factors to consider when shopping for outdoor dog chains for yards.
The length of the chain
Dogs are innately very curious and active. So having them restrained can be a little depressing. One way to help the situation is by getting a dog chain that is long enough to allow them to explore their surroundings comfortably.
The ideal chain here should be between 10 and 20 feet or more. This offers the pooch a wide radius to work with so they can run around and play on the yard while still being properly secured within the property.
While choosing the chain length, it is also important to factor in whether you will be using it as a tie-out or not. This is because tie-outs eat into the length offered especially if you are tying the chain around something with a lot of girth like a tree.
The maximum weight capacity
This refers to how much tension that the chain can handle which is often presented as a value in pounds. Chains with higher capacities of over 75 pounds are usually the best for large and more aggressive dogs. They are built to stay intact no matter how hard the pooch struggles.
On the other hand, dogs with a lower weight capacity cannot handle as much of the tug of war with the pooch. It would therefore be in your best interest to only purchase these if you are working with a small breed dog or a puppy.
In addition to checking the weight capacity on the label, you can gain a lot of insight from FAQ and review sections from the alternatives that catch your eye. These could give you more information on how well the chain handles pulling from specific breeds so that you know exactly what you are in for.
The thickness of the loops
Each individual chain loop plays a huge role in determining just how strong the overall unit will be. One of the key determining factors in this case is the thickness.
Thick options of around 3-4 mm or more are usually the stronger loops if compared to thinner options of the same material. They are also usually heavier which though good for longevity means your pooch gets to bear the extra weight. They are therefore ideal when dealing with big and strong dogs.
Thinner options, on the other hand, are usually around 2-2.5 mm in thickness and are therefore more on the medium-duty side of things. This makes them a good option for dogs with a little bit less strength and sass to them. They are also lighter which is convenient for both you and your pooch.
The materials used
The material used in the outdoor dog chain for your yard is very important to consider for 2 main reasons. The first is that it determines the level of resistance to weather elements that the chain will have. Zinc plating and stainless steel materials are the best when it comes to being rust-proof and weather-resistant in general so you can leave them outdoors for a very long time.
The material also complements other features like the thickness to determine just how strong the chain will be. Some of the strongest options on the market include galvanized metals and hardened steel.
There are a few synthetic material options out there but these will definitely not do you any justice as most give out with very little tension from the dog.
Weather resistance
For outdoor use accessories, weather resistance is a factor you cannot afford to ignore and this applies to dog chains for yards. We have already discussed one of the main determining facts in this case which is the type of material used.
However, there are additional features you may find that contribute to preventing issues like rust and fading. One of these is zinc plating. Zinc is known to rust and oxidize at a much slower rate than many other metals out there. Therefore, in addition to strengthening the metal, zinc-plating helps make the chain more resilient to weather.
Another weather resistance feature is vinyl-coating. This is not very common but it exists on some chains for waterproofing to prevent rust formation and promote longevity.
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