As far as the width of the collar I think the reason that the greys and other site hound people use the 1 1/2" and 2" collars is how it looks on the hound.

I don't tend to keep collars on my crew when were at home but went we go out my big boy 90lb wears a 2" and the girls either wear a 1 1/2" or 1". I like the smaller ones on my girls to show off there nice long necks

Heather & the hounds