Buying a Dog Collar

"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society." - Mark Twain

Collars are the foundation of canine couture. They reflect personality, style and attitude while acting as a necessary tool for training and identification purposes. The myriad of choices give owners, and dogs alike, ample opportunity to select the collar that says it all – the question is where to start?

From the chunky leather collar to the chic designer collar, each design has its benefits and downfalls. Some styles are better suited to shaggy English Sheepdogs while others are created specially for tiny Yorkshire Terriers. After sorting through all the buckles, leather and spikes, finding the collar that fits is a fun way to spend time with your dog.

Function vs. Fashion

As with any piece of apparel, dog collars can sometimes get carried away with either high function or high fashion; many are not suitable to meet the needs of both. Drab, dull looking collars may fulfill their dog handling roles, but they are completely focused on the basic duties of a collar, ignoring character and individuality. Delicate jeweled collars may look adorable, but they fail to compensate for dogs that may pull on the leash causing it to give way and allow the dog to run into dangers unknown. Fortunately, these are the two extremes of the spectrum in dog collar designs, but there are many options that do a beautiful job merging fashion with function.

To find the perfect balance, factors such as breed, lifestyle, attitude and training must be considered. Large breeds like St. Bernard dogs will require thicker, heavy duty collars, whereas, a more lightweight collar may suffice with a breed like a Toy Poodle. An obedience class graduate may be happy in a collar that doesn’t restrict movement, while a more “free-spirited” pup will need the extra guidance a firm collar will provide. Collars that fit these criteria vary in design, size and the materials used to create them.

Snap, Buckle and Slip

The three most popular ways to fasten collars are snaps, buckles and slips. The first step in choosing a dog collar is deciding which of these options you prefer.

Collars with snap fasteners are often made of nylon or fabric and have a flat, plastic buckle. The two sides easily push together to close and can be undone with one hand by pinching the edges together. These types of collars are also sometimes referred to as “quick release”. Plastic snap collars are usually lightweight and are ideal for small to medium sized breeds. Many cat collars also feature the snap release buckle.

Heavier collars, made of leather and suede, tend to feature metal buckles for closure. Buckles are the traditional style of dog collar and fasten like a belt. Adjustable sizing and metal hardware give buckle collars a long lifespan as they allow for puppies to grow with the collar and are known for durability. They are an excellent option for all breeds and are used on many high fashion collars in canine couture. Buckle collars are the only types of collar that are safe to leave on your dog at all times.

Slip collars are just as they sound – they slip on and are ready to go. Without any clasp, slip collars are a completely different approach to dog collars. Also known as martingale collars, this type of collar works using tension. The main portion of the collar can be made from leather, nylon, canvas or any tough material, while a loop made of either matching material or a chain takes the place of a clasp. The leash is attached to a ring on the loop. Since slip collars can fit over a dog’s head easily, they are loose fitting on the neck to reduce friction and unnecessary tension. When the dog pulls on the leash, the collar gently tightens to prevent them from sliding out of the collar. Dogs that are unruly on a leash may be best suited to slip collars, or alternately harnesses, to reduce the possibility of trachea damage. Sight hounds, such as Greyhounds and Salukis, are also recommended to use martingale collars as they have smooth, slick coats and narrow heads that can easily slip out of ordinary collars.

Collar Materials

In essence, a collar can be anything that fits around the neck. This definition leaves a wide margin for materials that can be used in manufacturing dog collars. The most popular materials, however, are nylon, canvas and leather for both function and fashion reasons. Nylon dog collars are great light weight options for smaller breeds, while canvas and woven fabric dog collars are fast drying, durable collars for sporty dogs that enjoy the water. Leather is the most common dog collar material due to its strength, versatility and elegant appearance. These three material options are excellent choices for all dog collars. Just choose the style that best suits your taste as well as your dog’s breed and activity level.

There are alternative selections available for dog collars, but only a small percentage of them have legitimate uses. Chain choke collars are found in most pet stores and are said to be used for training purposes, however, most people do not know how to use these collars properly and only end up causing more harm than good. This same notion can be applied to pronged choke collars which, although barbaric in appearance, can work when used correctly in the situations they were designed for. Anyone considering a chain choke collar or pronged choke collar for training purposes would be advised to get a martingale style collar. Martingale collars are a more humane option than choke collars and are easy to use. If you feel you must use a choker style of collar, ask your trainer or pet store owner the best method of using and fitting this type of collar.

Dog collars can also be made with many other types of materials, including plastic, and have fixtures added on for decoration, like studs or spikes. Plastics are used in cone collars and flea collars, which should only be used for medical purposes under veterinarian recommendation. Plastic collars are also useful for hunting and sporting dogs as they can be imbedded with reflective properties. The same benefit can also be achieved by attaching a reflective strip of material or flashing lights to any ordinary collar. Metal studs or spikes are also occasionally added on collars. Although this is most often done for fashion purposes, a studded collar can also help protect mild mannered dogs from more aggressive dogs that they may come in contact with.

Sizing Dog Collars

When fitting a dog collar, comfort and convenience need to be considered. The collar should be loose enough to easily fit two fingers under it while being tight enough that it can’t slip over the dog’s ears. The best way to measure a dog’s neck for a collar is to use a string, then measure the length against a ruler. This measurement will give a good indication on a median size of collar. If the dog’s neck measures 13” around, then it’s best to get a dog collar with a 12” to 14” range.

Even though most dog collars are adjustable, the perfect fit will fall between the biggest and smallest possible size to prevent excess length, or having a collar that is too short to fasten. If the collar is for a growing puppy, it would be advisable to get a collar with lots of room for adjustment to larger sizes.

Breed Specific Collars

Dogs are not one size fits all and neither are their collars. There is a huge selection of breed specific collars available to fit the different dog coats, shapes and sizes.

One of the most identifiable breed specific collars is meant for Greyhounds and other similarly shaped sight hounds. These breeds have long, narrow necks with throats that are susceptible to damage from pulling on a collar made from a thin piece of material. Greyhound collars are generally made of soft material and are wider in the middle than at the ends where the clasp attaches. The design prevents hair loss around the neck on short, smooth coats and includes a special clasp that removes the collar quickly for sight hounds competing in lure coursing.

Round, rolled collars are excellent for shaggy coated breeds such as Golden Retrievers, Pomeranians and Collies. These collars are generally made of leather with the edges being rolled in and sewn together. The smooth, continuous surface prevents tangling and matting of long hair, saving time spent grooming and pain for the dog. Short haired dogs also have recommended collars to avoid the opposite problem of hair loss around the neck due to collar friction. Avoiding buckle collars can help prevent this as large, metal buckles are more irritable to sensitive necks than martingale collars or snap buckle collars.

Dog breeds with thick necks and small heads, such as Pugs, Boston Terriers and Bulldogs, should wear a collar only for fashion and identification purposes as they can easily slip off. It is recommended that these breeds wear harnesses for walking and restraint reasons to avert possible escapes and breathing problems.

In general, big breeds should wear large, strong collars and small breeds should wear little, light collars. These factors are usually incorporated in standard collar sizing, but can vary for breeds with disproportionate neck and head sizes. Small breeds can not handle the weight of large collars while small collars will not handle the strength of large breeds.

Collar Accessories

A collar isn’t a collar without the essential accessories. Collars may be the foundation of every dog’s wardrobe, but it’s like having great clothes without the shoes and coat to get you where you’re going.

Two of the most important roles of a dog collar are to provide protection and identification; this makes a leash and pet ID tags vital additions to any new collar. Leashes allow for constant contact with your dog, ensuring that you’re there to help protect from possible danger such as cars and aggressive dogs. They are also required in most public areas, making them necessary to give your dog adequate exercise. In addition to their practical implications, a matching leash and collar set can also make a strong fashion statement for the dog and owner. Identification tags should be affixed to a dog’s collar at all times. If your dog becomes separated form you, ID tags are the ticket home. They should include the dog’s name, phone number and any critical medical or health information at a bare minimum. An address, owner’s name, pet license number, etc, can also be stated on the ID tags if desired.

An optional collar accessory is a harness. Harnesses can be worn in addition to a collar to provide a different method for attaching a leash. Dogs that pull hard on a leash may require a harness to avoid possible trachea damage from a collar. Wearing a collar is still necessary at all times for identification reasons. Many designer dog collars have matching leashes and harnesses to complete the set.

Collar Shopping

There are many options to choose from when you shop for your dog’s collar and accessories. Remember to keep safety in mind first and foremost, which most dog collar designs take in serious consideration. Fortunately for canines and their owners alike, there are many safe dog collar options that are both convenient and aesthetically appealing. It may take some time to find the perfect elements combining safety, comfort and edgy style, but shopping is half the fun of finding a great dog collar.

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