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The best dog collars should be comfortable to wear, withstand all puppy activity, and last for years. So, before you throw one in your cart just because it’s cute or cheap, check out the necklace manufacturing technique. After all, you want your furry best friend to feel comfortable in their favorite accessory!
But have you seen all the dog collars found online? Which of the thousands out of thousands does your dog need? While we can’t tell you exactly which collar is right for your dog, we’ve compiled a list of our favorites to narrow down your search. As you go through our list, keep in mind your dog’s size, energy level, on-leash behavior, and overall temperament. Knowing your puppy’s needs will help you find the best collar for your dog. Before we get to the list, let’s see what makes a collar a winner.
FAQ about the best dog collar
Should a dog collar be left on at all times?
When hanging out at home and indoors, you can remove the dog collar from time to time. Rest can reduce the rubbing that causes hair loss. Plus, sometimes it feels great to be topless! You like kicking out of your shoes, don’t you? Think of your furry friend’s collar the same way!
What is the two-finger rule for dog collars?
The simple two-finger rule means you can easily slide two fingers between the collar and the dog’s collar when the collar is in place. The collar will feel comfortable when you do this. Make sure there isn’t enough for your dog to be able to slip out of it.
What is the best material for a dog collar?
For a long time, hard and sturdy leather was the ultimate choice for dog collars, but now leather has a competitor. Besides leather, nylon is a great material for making durable dog collars. Usually, you will see nylon listed as nylon fabric when searching for necklaces. Clothing and accessories made of nylon fabric are usually durable and withstand heavy use.
Guide to buying the best dog collar
Fit
The most important element of a dog collar is the fit. When dogs are not properly collared, they are prone to risky situations. A dog falling off a collar at the wrong time can lead to disaster, so apply the two-finger rule to make sure your dog’s collar fits properly.
Size and breed
Your dog’s breed makeup often determines its size. And when looking for dog collars, size matters. You don’t want to buy a necklace for a Chihuahua when you have a Great Dane! But even if your dog is a smaller breed, some of them, like Dachshunds and Corgis, may have thicker necks and need larger collars than you think. To make life easy, measure your puppy’s neck before you buy, so you know exactly what to buy.
Quality
Don’t skimp on quality to save money or just because the collar is cute. Low-quality necklaces can fall off or break, leaving you and your friend in a potentially dangerous situation. A bad necklace can also cause irritation or hair loss. Check out customer reviews to see what buyers say about the quality.
Design
In addition to being one of the most used items your dog owns, collars can enhance their look. Dog collars come in a variety of styles, colors and designs, allowing your best friend to define who they are! From bows to glittery collars to pop culture designs, every dog has a collar. But whichever you choose, make sure it has a sturdy lock or clip and has a loop for attaching the chain and ID tag.
Now, find your dog collar from our favorites list!
10 best dog collars
The Joytale Reflective Dog Collar is a sturdy and durable collar that won’t hurt your dog’s neck and looks great too! This dog collar is made of nylon and comes in five sizes from 8 to 28 inches. With over a dozen color options, you can also choose your dog’s favorite color. And designed with neoprene cushioning, it’s also soft, flexible and dries quickly. In addition, the reflective fibers ensure high visibility at night. An additional loop allows the card to be cut and the cord attached to the collar.
pros
- Safety buckle
- Various sizes
- Many color options
- Good price
- Matching leash available
Defect
- Some reviewers complained about the chemical smell
The Lupine Dog Collar rims with style, practicality and top quality materials. Floral nylon has a design that is woven into the fabric rather than printed or sewn on, which means it won’t fade. And Lupine’s necklaces are made with welded steel hardware and sturdy stitching, and the ends of the material are flipped and stitched to protect the fur and skin. The steel D-ring for attaching the chain is sewn securely to the collar for added durability. LupinPet offers replacement guarantee if your dog decided to use it as a chew toy.
pros
- many size
- Durable nylon and strong stitching
- Custom designed side release buckle
- Welded steel D-ring
- Comfortable and soft
- Machine washable or hand washable
- Made in New Hampshire
Defect
- Not suitable for smaller dogs
If your dog has been known to chew on their collars or play rough, you need Black Rhino Comfort dog collar. This sturdy dog collar is built with a heavy-duty, double-layer design that’s durable enough to handle the strongest and busiest dogs. But it’s still soft and comfortable to wear thanks to owaterproof neoprene dries quickly after getting wet. Reflective stitching also helps keep your puppy visible in low light. And it Available in a variety of sizes and colors to get the perfect look and match your dog’s unique taste.
pros
- Super durable for active dogs
- Several color and size options
- Waterproof
- anti-odor
- Good price
Defect
The Max Collar and Neo NEO offers a nylon necklace two millimeters thick and nearly an inch wide, making it durable and comfortable. Heavy-duty nylon snap buckle with lockable tab (XS doesn’t lock) to prevent accidental release. The leash is attached via a sturdy anodized D-ring, while the metal adjustment slider has a second ring for dog tags and charms. And here’s the reward; For every dog collar purchased, Max and Neo will give a collar to a rescue dog.
pros
- Powerful and flexible
- Lockable locking tab prevents accidental opening
- Reflective stitching for walking at night
- Separate ID card loop
- Various colors and sizes
- Donate a dog rescue collar
Defect
- May not be able to keep up with extremely powerful dogs
The Ruffwear Flat Out Collar, formerly Hoopie, features a Tubelok webbing to give dogs a comfortable, long-lasting collar. Side release buckles allow for easy on and off, yet stay securely attached when you’re on the go. Clip the lanyard to the thick aluminum V-ring and the ID tag to the second ring designed for that purpose. The ID attachment ring also comes with a silicone muffler to prevent jingling. And with outdoor-inspired colors and patterns that won’t fade or fade, this collar is ideal for dogs who love hiking and camping.
pros
- Stylish look for those who love outdoor activities
- Easy to clean
- Does not absorb odors
- dry quickly
- Convenient side opening buckle
- Durable but soft
Defect
The Martingale collar from If It Barks is a high quality martingale collar made with durable materials to give you complete control over dogs with narrower heads or larger bodies. A humane non-suffocating anti-pull system, this collar style prevents dogs from pulling and slipping the collar over its head for freedom. Two layers of high-strength nylon fabric and nickel-plated steel hardware ensure this necklace can withstand the wear and tear of everyday use. Choose from twelve stripe color options and three sizes.
pros
- Broken for a long time
- Top quality materials
- Several color and size options
- Waterproof
- anti-odor
- Good price
Defect
- May be too big for smaller dogs
Stop pulling with Petsafe Gentle Leader Headcollar! Made with a padded nose strap, this collar gently encourages your dog to stay by your side by applying pressure to the nape of the neck instead of the throat. It’s a great choice for even the strongest pullers. And while you teach your dog how to use a leash, they can still bark, eat, drink and play fetch with this collar. It’s also fully adjustable and slides in and out easily. Choose from nine colors and a variety of sizes.
pros
- neoprene nose pad
- Sold in five sizes
- Several color options
- durable and comfortable
- Teach good leash manners
Defect
The Classic Blueberry Dog Collar is a simple yet sturdy dog collar option at an affordable price. It is adjustable, flexible and comfortable to wear. And because it’s available in four sizes and a full rainbow and many other colors, you’ll find the perfect collar to reflect your dog’s personality. As a winner of a Newsweek award, this collar will not let you down.
pros
- High density nylon rope
- Environmentally friendly plastic buckle
- Steel wire ring
- great price
- Many color options
- durable and comfortable
Defect
- Takes a while to dry after getting wet
If you are looking for a custom dog collar, then GoTags . Reflective Dog Collar is the one you need! Personalize it with up to 25 characters, with plenty of space for names and contacts. With this information on the collar’s reflective strip, you won’t need a tinkling ID tag. Comfortable, flexible, and made of durable nylon, GoTags’ personalized dog collars come in five base colors with fifteen thread color options. And if it gets dirty or scratched, just give it a quick scrub.
pros
- Personalize with your dog’s important information
- Easy to read
- Spot clean with ease
- anti-odor
- durable and comfortable
Defect
- Reflective strip can wear out over time, blurring visibility at night
If you and your dog often go out for a walk at night and want more light and safety, Illuminiseen LED dog collar will be the best dog collar you will ever meet. Two LED strips sewn inside the collar’s nylon fabric keep it bright without being blinding. And this fun necklace is powered by a USB rechargeable battery that delivers 5 hours of lighting for each one-hour charge. That means you’ll be walking many times before needing to charge. Although this glow necklace is waterproof and splashproof, it should not be submerged in water. And you can pair them with matching Illuminiseen dog leashes.
pros
- Bright brilliance for ultimate visibility
- Also works as a regular collar
- Easy locking for clamping/removing
- durable and comfortable
- rechargeable
Defect
Okay, in the sea of dog collars, we’ve found the best. Hopefully our list made a quick decision so you can make a purchase and then get out with your dog!
iHeartDogs powered by readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.
