A collar is an essential purchase for your dog, as most pooches need to be walked for at least 30 minutes a day. You'll want to make sure that it's comfy and of the highest quality, especially if you live in a busy city and can’t let your dog off the lead. There’s so much choice out there though, making it difficult to decide which one to buy.
Our buying guide is here to help you figure out what to look out for, whether for a small dog like a Pomeranian or a large pooch such as a German Shepherd. Plus, our top 10 list has a fantastic range of collars to buy at Amazon, John Lewis and Argos from light-up LED styles to gear from designer brands. We have also partnered with veterinarian Natalia Ramírez for reviewing and fact-checking the article to deliver you the best information.
Quick List - Top Dog Collars
Natalia is a veterinarian with 10 years of experience, specialising in topics related to responsible pet ownership, preventive animal health and nutrition issues that she is currently deepening in her master's studies. She also helps new pet parents by delivering all the necessary information from their arrival at home to different stages of their life.
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Natalia is a veterinarian with 10 years of experience, specialising in topics related to responsible pet ownership, preventive animal health and nutrition issues that she is currently deepening in her master's studies. She also helps new pet parents by delivering all the necessary information from their arrival at home to different stages of their life.
The first thing you need to do is check that the collar will be the right size. If a collar is too tight, it can be dangerous and potentially choke them causing health issues; too loose, your dog could easily slip out and runoff. Use a tape measure or a piece of string around your dog’s neck to measure it. It’s recommended that you should be able to fit two fingers inside your dog’s collar, for the best and most comfortable fit.
If you own a tiny chihuahua, for example, a thick leather collar will be a bit much and to be honest, would probably be a bit uncomfortable for your pooch! However, if you have a giant breed like a Great Dane or a Mastiff, a heavy-duty leather collar is much more suitable than a thin nylon collar.
Another factor to consider is your dog's head shape. Some breeds, such as greyhounds, have a neck circumference that's wider than their head - this means there’s a risk of them slipping out of their collars. So you should definitely keep this in mind when shopping!
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Flat collars are the standard type; they go around the dog’s neck and are usually adjustable via a buckle. Not only can you take this style of collar off and on easily, but you can ensure a proper fit for your pooch. This is especially important if you have a puppy, because you can adjust the collar as they grow. Identification tags can also be attached to this style of collar, which is always handy!
Martingale collars are similar to flat collars but instead of being adjusted with a buckle, they have an extra loop which the lead is attached to - this also tightens when the lead is pulled. This style of collar is often recommended for dogs with small heads such as greyhounds and whippets, since the mechanism prevents them from slipping out and escaping.
This style of collar can be considered as an alternative to choke chains - it applies a small amount of pressure to the dog's neck, but not enough to cause harm. For this reason, you should always supervise your pet when they're wearing one.
Nylon is one of the most common materials used to make dog collars, as it's inexpensive and comes in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colours. This makes it a fantastic choice if you’re on a budget or if you have more than one pooch at home.
It must be noted, however, that a 100% nylon collar is not as durable as one made from other materials. Plus, some dogs have an allergy or sensitivity to nylon, so please remember this when purchasing one for your pet!
Leather is the second most popular material available, and with good reason. It's very durable and will last a long time, which is always a good thing! This material is also the best option for dogs with sensitive skin, as it rarely causes irritation.
The downside of a high-quality leather collar is that it's usually the most expensive option. However, if you're willing to pay a bit more initially, it'll most likely mean saving money down the line as you won’t have to buy another collar for a while.
BioThane is an amazing material that's often cited as a cheaper alternative to leather. Not only is it waterproof, antimicrobial and non-toxic, but it's also flexible, durable, has a leather-like look and feel, is hypoallergenic, and is gentle on a dog's coat; it is also known as vegan leather, making it a suitable for dog-walking in all kinds of weather.
Unfortunately, as it's not a very common material, the colour and style options for BioThane collars are pretty limited compared to those made with nylon and leather. But this could be the pick for you if you're vegan or just after a cheaper option while still obtaining an expensive look.
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Standard buckle collars work like a belt buckle, with holes punched into the collar to adjust the fit. These are ideal for puppy owners, as you can adjust it as your dog grows. Another advantage is that there's no way to accidentally release the clasp, so your dog won't be able to escape and run off. However, they do take a little bit of extra effort to put on and take off.
Side release clasps, on the other hand, are extremely easy to take on and off, which can be handy if your pup is particularly wriggly and impatient. Plus, you won’t need to worry about an extra flap of material dangling down and getting in the way with this type of collar!
In addition to helping your dog to look stylish, a brightly coloured collar can have a functional purpose too! Some are made out of reflective materials or contain reflective parts, which will make them visible when walking late at night. A collar with LED lights is a good idea if you have a black or brown dog - it means you can always spot them, even in the dark!
If you and your four-legged friend like to go out on adventures under cover of night, this is the perfect choice to keep them safe and alert other pedestrians and cars to be aware of your dog! Not to mention, coming in a range of colours and styles, they can look quite chic too!
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Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dogline Biothane Waterproof Dog Collar | ![]() | A Robust, Waterproof Collar That's Suitable for All Sizes | |
2 | The Company of Animals Halti Collar | ![]() | Affordable, Comfy and Easy to Clean | |
3 | SweetyMooMoo Genuine Leather Adjustable Dog Collar | ![]() | A Premium Quality Collar in Classic Brown Leather | |
4 | Max and Neo Nylon Martingale Collar | ![]() | Help Out a Rescue Dog by Buying This Collar | |
5 | Vivi Bear Mesh Dog Collar | ![]() | Soft and Breathable Padding, for Maximum Comfort | |
6 | Zöon Flash and Go 37cm Rechargeable Collar | ![]() | An LED Collar for Late-Night Walks | |
7 | One Sweet Pup Vegan Leather Dog Collar | ![]() | Vegan-Friendly, With Stylish Fastenings | |
8 | YUDOTE Soft and Lightweight Collar | ![]() | Cute and Lightweight Enough for Petite Pooches | |
9 | Barbour Tartan Dog Collar | ![]() | Fashionable and Sturdy, With a Reflective Lead | |
10 | Petface Black Tonal Dots Pet Collar | ![]() | A Cheap and Cheerful Option for Small Dogs |
This exceptional collar is made from BioThane, so it's stronger and sturdier than nylon or leather. Owners with pups who love to swim will be pleased to know that it's waterproof and non-absorbent too, which makes it wonderfully easy to clean.
The black electroplated buckle is less prone to rusting than ordinary metals and is sturdy enough to prevent your dog from slipping out of the collar. Plus, it accommodates most neck sizes, so without a doubt, this collar ticks all the right boxes!
This pick from The Company of Animals has some fantastic features. Made out of high-grade nylon webbing with a neoprene interior, it's not only comfortable but also easy to clean - an essential property for anything canine-related, we'd say!
Furthermore, it comes in an excellent range of colours, including red, black, blue, and of course the snazzy purple option which is shown here. It's also equipped with a 3M reflective weave for extra visibility during the night.
This beautiful collar not only looks good, it's incredibly robust! It comes in light blue for the more fashion conscious, but we think this classic brown leather look is a great choice too!
This collar also features solid brass hardware that's been lacquered to prevent rusting. If you're looking to invest in a hard-wearing collar that'll last your pooch for years to come, you can't beat this one!
This martingale collar gets top marks for safety, thanks to the heavy-duty side release buckle with a lockable tab to prevent any accidental releases. Plus, it has separate D rings for your lead and ID tags, as well as reflective stitching for night time walks.
In addition to being a handy product for your pooch, buying from Max and Neo also helps dogs in need to get necessary supplies. They donate an identical collar to a dog rescue for every one sold - now that's what we call a great brand!
This Vivi Bear padded collar is plush and super comfy, making it suitable for most dogs - especially those with sensitive skin. The soft padding means that even if your pooch is prone to tugging, it won't hurt their neck.
You can purchase the matching lead and best of all, it comes in a wide range of fun colours. It also features a reflective material, meaning you can always spot your dog at any time of day!
If your dog loves their night time walkies, this smart-looking "Flash and Go" collar is the perfect accessory. With LED lights all over and bright orange details, your dog will always be visible no matter how dark it is outside.
Made from tough fabric, you can trust that this collar will last. We should warn you though, the lights on this collar are only rechargeable via USB - so make sure the collar is fully charged before heading outside with your pet!
If you want all the benefits of leather but prefer to shop cruelty-free, we present this top-quality vegan leather collar by One Sweet Pup. It either comes in a range of styles and colours and has stylish rose gold fastenings.
The adjustable sizing means this collar can go from 20cm up to 40cm, which is great for growing pooches! However, it's a bit too bulky for small pups and isn't strong enough for large dogs, which is why we recommend this for medium size dogs.
This flat collar by YUDOTE is made from nylon, featuring cotton twilled webbing and outward-facing end seams to ensure the highest comfort level for your pooch. It's really lightweight too, so it's great for smaller pets.
We love that this collar comes in lovely pastel colours, but if your dog loves to roll around in the dirt then it's not ideal - washing out the mud might be a bit of a hassle after a long day of playing fetch!
If you love fashion, this chic tartan collar from Barbour is a must-buy for your pooch! Not only is it super stylish, but it's made out of two great materials - the leather is a long-lasting fabric whilst the cotton webbing provides gentle comfort for your dog's neck.
It comes in a range of sizes for small to large dog breeds and better yet, this collar even has a matching reflective lead! The only downside is the price, which is very high compared to most of the other collars on our list.
If you're looking for a simple flat collar, this Petface product is the perfect choice for your pooch. Made from premium, soft-touch nylon webbing, it has a handy side release buckle clip which is easy to fasten.
Although this collar comes in larger sizes, this particular one is best recommended for smaller pooches, given that the collar band is quite slim and won't be sturdy enough for bigger dogs.
A collar is great for relaying contact information if your dog gets lost! However, not all dogs enjoy wearing collars. To give them a break, you can remove it when they're at home. Make sure to do so when they're in their crate or playing with other dogs, as collars present a serious choking hazard in these situations!
If you're a pet owner, we have a range of articles for you that'll help you choose products! To deliver the appropriate information, some of our articles are also reviewed/fact-checked by veterinary, so keep browsing!
Written and researched by Dodo Wang
No. 1: Dogline|Biothane Waterproof Dog Collar
No. 2: The Company of Animals|Halti Collar
No. 3: SweetyMooMoo|Genuine Leather Adjustable Dog Collar
No. 4: Max and Neo|Nylon Martingale Collar
No. 5: Vivi Bear|Mesh Dog Collar
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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