Importance of a Good Dog Collar
The best dog collars are safe, comfortable, and difficult for your dog to slip off. Every dog needs a good collar, and when you are searching for a collar, you want to take a few precautions.
A collar that doesn’t fit well can injure your dog’s trachea (windpipe) or could irritate their skin. Choosing a “training” collar, such as a choke chain or prong collar, can also cause severe damage if used improperly.
Conversely, a comfortable well-fitting collar can keep you and your dog out of trouble. However, regardless of if you choose a conventional collar, or go the “training” collar route, if your dog pulls on their leash, you should see our Best Dog Harness article to avoid any damage. In dog training sessions, I always recommend that my clients use both a harness and a collar.
Important Safety Note: NEVER leave a dog’s collar on while they are inside their crate. You always run the slight risk of your dog’s collar becoming snagged on something. Always remove their collar before leaving your dog in their crate.
Five Best Dog Collars
As a certified dog trainer, I have worked with many different furry clients who struggle while walking on a leash. Using trial and error, I have worked to find you the best dog collars for your pup.
Each of these collars has a certain scenario or feature that sets it apart from the rest: durability, all-around use, value, etc. It is difficult to provide an all-encompassing choice of which dog collar is best, but we have ranked them in terms of quality, price, versatility, ergonomy, and more.
Here is our unbiased review of the top 5 best dog collars available!
All-Around Favorite Dog Collar
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Review Highlights:
“… We love these collars. They are top quality leather. Both function and looks! My dogs look amazing in them and they fit great …”
“… Little Marco the puppy, who is something of a ladies’ man, loves to show off this collar to all of the girl dogs at the park. He especially likes that there is an extra attachment for his ID tag, which makes it very easy for him to give out his digits …”
“… We purchased the large size collar for our [dog] and it fits great, but he also has some growing room!! We absolutely love the material and quality! Great purchase and I will definitely recommend them! …”
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My favorite type of collar is leather. It provides a sturdy fit that is resistant to breakage while also giving a classic and fashionable look. This collar provides the added benefit of soft padding to further protect your dog from irritation.
Feature Highlights:
- Choose from a variety of size ranges to best fit your dog.
- Convenient built-in ring for dog tags.
- High-quality leather with wonderful workmanship.
When it comes down to it, the reviews don’t lie. This product garners over 1,800 five star reviews from customers raving about the quality and wonderful customer service. Why do all of these customers love this product? The answer is quite simple.
With this collar, you receive top-grade materials without paying top dollar. Real, sturdy leather ensures that your dog’s collar remains safely intact. It also comes with a separate ring for your dog tags, and one to connect your dog’s leash to. Recommended for: Labrador Retrievers, Pitbulls, Golden Retrievers, Great Danes, and more.
Best Indestructible Dog Collar
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Review Highlights:
“… So far so good. Our dog has not yet been able to break or chew through this collar. Even with other dogs Wrestling with him and grabbing it with their sharp puppy teeth it still looks brand new …”
“… Would buy it again, but I don’t need to. Has held up far better than nylon and genuine leather collars for our pup, who loves a good ocean swim. Haven’t noticed any rusting or buildup on the hardware or collar itself and is holding up great! …”
“… Our new puppy has chewed through 4 collars on our older dog at this point. The last one only survived a couple of hours. Since we have purchased this a week ago it is holding up much better than the others …”
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I’ll admit, I’ve come across a few dogs in my day that could gnaw through even the toughest leather collar with relish. If you have a tough chewer in the family, this is the product for you. Perfect for destructive dogs, this collar is sturdy and incredibly difficult to destroy.
Feature Highlights:
- Made with rip/fray proof polymer weave that holds up to even the sharpest teeth.
- Lifetime guarantee, no strings attached!
- Heavy-duty clips and rings do not rust and help keep your dog secure.
- Waterproof material never warps or wears.
Lifetime guarantee! Let me say it louder for those of you in the back, this collar offers a lifetime guarantee! If anything happens to your pet’s collar, the company will replace it with no questions asked. Thankfully, you shouldn’t need any help on that end, because this collar is built to last.
Made with incredibly sturdy materials, you can feel comfortable knowing your dog won’t chew through this one. To sweeten the deal even more, the materials are all waterproof. In rain, snow, or sleet, your dog’s collar will not warp, change color, or rust. Recommended for: Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Pitbulls, Australian Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and more.
Best Dog Collars for Value
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Review Highlights:
“… Love love love this collar!!! I got the purple one and it’s so adorable on my Pitbull’s solid grey coat. It’s thick and durable just as I was needing. Will be purchasing from this buyer again! …”
“… It’s held up very well between him always getting wet (if there’s water to play in, he finds it), rough housing at the dog park, and recently the beach; it hasn’t faded and the color hasn’t bled. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy again and would highly recommend this collar. …”
“… I love the quality of Blueberry pet products and these are no exception. Even though he chews on them after a bath sometimes, they show no signs of wear. …”
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If you’re looking for a good, sturdy collar at a wonderful price, this product is for you. You can choose from a wide variety of colors and sizes to best suit your dog. If you so desire, you can also purchase a matching leash and harness as well.
Feature Highlights:
- Choose from 22 different colors and numerous sizes.
- Bright, vibrant colors ensure your dog is easily visible and fashionable too!
- Made with durable nylon weave.
This product is perfect for the standard dog just looking for a solid and fashionable collar. It is made with thick, durable materials to withstand typical wear and tear. For the price, it simply can’t be beaten.
Not only is the high-quality nylon used in this product bright and colorful, it also comes with matching accessories. You can purchase the same color and material for your dog’s leash, harness, and car seatbelt! For a good quality product at an unbeatable value, this collar is the way to go. Recommended for: Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Maltese, Huskies, and more.
Best Dog Collars for Small Breeds
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Review Highlights:
“… Love, love, love this collar!! Not one matt nor any discoloration where her collar is. We purchased the bright pink and IT looks so cute on our caramel girl! would buy again. …”
“… Looks GORGEOUS on my dog, and has beautiful finishing touches, such as a strap to hold the collar end. The collar fits my 30-pound sheltie perfectly!! 10 stars. …”
“… Great sturdy collar that doesn’t cut and damage my dogs fur! We originally had flat collars on our dog but noticed that there was a line of broken fur… She’s been wearing it for almost 4 months and already her fur is almost back to normal! …”
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This rolled leather collar is great for small breeds that might get a little mouthy with their collars! It also comes in a range of colors to best fit you and your dog’s style. For great quality at a great price, this is the product for your small breed dog.
Feature Highlights:
- Easy sizing shows you the fit of the collar around the neck.
- Made with real, high-quality soft leather.
- Rolled shape keeps the collar from tangling or matting your dog’s fur.
The shape of the rolled leather does wonders in preventing matting or tangling in your small breed dog’s coat. It is also quite soft and flexible, ensuring a comfortable and easy fit on your dog. Though it is soft, the leather is high-quality and quite durable.
As with any leather product, this collar is made to last for your pup. You can choose from a variety of different colors and sizes to best suit your pup. Additionally, you can also purchase a matching leash to go along with your collar. Recommended for: Shih-Tzus, Maltese, Shetland Sheepdogs, Pomeranians, and more!
Best Break-Away Dog Collar
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Review Highlights:
“… These collars are still in great condition and doing their job!!
I can’t recommend them enough. It is honestly hard to purchase something nowadays at this price point that lasts as long as they have …”
“… ORDER IT! ORDER IT! I was SO HAPPY to find this break-away collar for dogs …”
“… The fit on this collar was amazing. I feel more secure knowing that it’s breakaway (though I haven’t put that feature to the test), but it fits him very comfortably and doesn’t come off with every movement …”
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If your dog spends time outdoors, you want a sturdy weatherproof collar that fits well and doesn’t rub or irritate. However, you also know that if your dog managed to get their collar snagged or tangled in something, you want the collar to break away for your dog’s safety. This product is a great choice for that purpose.
Feature Highlights:
- Unique design allows the collar to break away if needed to prevent choking.
- Collar is reusable even after using the breakaway feature.
- Also comes with special rings to use during walks and prevent breakaway feature.
You hope your dog will never use the breakaway feature, but you feel better knowing that it’s there. When push comes to shove, your dog has the ability to pull out of their collar if they need to. This product provides the right amount of sturdiness to make sure the collar stays on during normal activities and breaks away when it’s needed.
Personally, I would recommend using this collar for everyday use and adding a harness when it comes time for your walks. This is the best way to keep your dog safe. No matter how careful you are, dogs can get themselves into trouble. With this collar, you have the peace of mind that your dog is safe and sound even when you aren’t home. Recommended for: Cattle Dog, Boxers, Australian Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and more.
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