This review is for the DireBeast XXL from Goat Trail Tactical. Aptly named, as I do not know of another nylon 3 inch width with quick release style buckle available anywhere and I have looked everywhere including custom products. Obviously named after the Dire wolf, the largest now extinct wolf species which weighed up to 175 lbs. My own dog is called a Volkodav, translated as "wolf crusher" and in this case he is half Malakli and half Alabai, weighing in over 220 lbs and standing over 3 feet at the shoulder. He is a chunk of muscle and very unforgiving on equipment that is inferior, making him a real test to this collar. While Austri Alpine types might say they are rated to x lbs, my boy seems to be able to bust them along with many other hardware devices. In most cases the hardware is the weak link. This is true in collar buckles and in leash attachments. The buckle So far has surprised me in that it has held tight and not shown signs of stress. I think it might just be the ticket. One note though: When connecting, make sure that that you are square on and not off center, or it may bind and not connect. The strap itself is a bit thin, also surprising, as I normally prefer such beastly collars to have solid form and support for my beast to support his weight and prevent choking. In this case though it appears to be of decent quality and certainly strong enough to hold up to the task at hand. Stitching is straight and no loose threads were present. There was a nice padded neoprene liner to add cushion which help offset the thinness of the material. As a note: my dog is a working dog and must wear a heavy (almost 1/3 inch thick leather collar over 3.5 inches wide) . Due to this I always carry an emergency backup to change into, and the DireBeast is perfect for this, as it takes up minimal space while still being a full size collar with full size strength. The collar also has a velcro section which should accommodate a patch of approximately 2 inches wide and up to 7 inches long in my case for better identification. As mentioned the thinness leaves a bit to be desired foe true big dog stability, but otherwise it seems to be a very strong and well made collar with a lot going for it, including being the only model on the market to fit this important role. With sizes going up to 34 inches, and down to quite small sizes considering the 3 inch width, it is a good investment that can grow with your pup as well. To summarize, the only entry I know of similar in the marketplace, a great price and quality product. Apparently available in any color you want as long as it's black. If your best friend often gets mistaken for a bear or lion, then this is the collar for you!
In the photo: 100kg (220 pound ) 3 feet at should Colt wear the Goat Trail Tactical DireBeast Collar model while resting from a day of hard work.
