For those who chain their dogs...

...what size chains do you use? And why?

I use 1/8" and 1/4" thick chains and I've never had a problem. They are mostly all 15' but I've got a couple 20 footers and one 25 footer.

im not sure how thick x is on a 10 ft cracker is on a 20 only during the day and red is on a cable till she learns she is a pit bull

tow chains 2&ahalf in collars only

Tow chains? Do they need to be that big?

1/4" and they are all 15ft. long.

I've read that all you really need is 1/4" for APBTs, and they are 15 ft. long so that they have enough space to enough, and aren't just in the dirt spots they make, they still have plenty of grass.

they break any chain less than 880lb test

Wow, they must be really determined lol.

I actually use towing chains as well, I have seen 35lb game dogs snap the smaller chains, I have even saw them snap the heavy duty O-rings like rusty chicken wire, I have since went to large kennels, but when I'm cleaning up they are on large towing chains for their own safety as well as 2.5 inch double ply nylon collars.

Wow I knew they were strong but didn't realize they were that strong.
I have a couple that I am going to have to chain (much to my displeasure) so I was trying to do a little research on what kind and size of chain and hardware to use....

Well, it's depends a lot on the dog, if you know the dog is capable of causing damage when it's aloose then take the proper precaution, if you feel that dog isn't much a threat if let loose in the yard then you might not need such a large chain.

He is a major threat, hence the need to chain him inside his fenced in and electrified yard. But with him he is perfectly fine until he hears the other dogs going at it. And by going at it, I mean playing rough, when they start barking and chasing each other, it drives him crazy. Any other time he is fine. The dogs can be outside and he won't bother them, but when he hears the noise he looses his mind.

If he's going to be chained for a extended time period, make sure give him plenty of length but not to much, normally 10-15ft chains are plenty, and make sure he's not near anything he can jump and hang that happens when people mis-calculate the lenth of chain and nearby fence, but I think you have the experience and know how you'll get it right.

Yep lol, his yard is 25 X 25 and I am going to make it where he is about 1 ft or so from any of the sides.

i use 1/4 inch on the mellow dogs and 3/8 chain on the wild ones..make sure it's a high quality chain though.and check it for weak links before you use it. i like to keep the lenth at 10 foot, that gives them about a 21 ft. diameter chain spot. which is way bigger than most any pen(visit your local HSUS or shelter and see what size pens they keep dogs in, it makes for a helluva debate if they ever visit your yard and give you trouble! lol) i like to go bigger on swivels(one on each end of your setup) and connectors. 2 inch double ply collars. and i replace everything once a year whether they need it or not.

(even as anal as i am about equipment, i still have an accident once in awhile. sometimes these dogs are just smarter and tougher than we are!)