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Are you on the market for dog collars but don’t know where to start? Take a look at our review and buyer’s guide to better understand what to look for when buying a collar for your dog.
All dog owners need a durable, good-looking, comfortable dog collar for their dog. With so many options, it can be difficult to know which is the best one for you.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at five of the best dog collars we’ve seen for all breeds, as well as give you some tips so you can better understand what to look for in a dog collar.
Keeping your dog safe and happy are two of our top priorities. Teaching you how to find the right collar will accomplish both!
How We Chose Our Ratings
We pride ourselves on providing the best ratings we can to customers, and we know how important dog collars can be for dog owners. For that reason, we want our rankings to be fully transparent, so you know where we’re coming from.
Different dog breeds have different collar needs, and while there are some universal quality rules we observed, not every collar on this list might be the best for your dog. In this section, we’ll give you a better idea of how we developed our ratings so you can learn what to look for on your own searches.
Strong D-Ring
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The D-ring on your dog’s collar will take the brunt of the force from your dog. Most collars take special care when crafting their D-rings, but we made sure by extensively testing this element in our ratings.
Small breeds of dogs might not be able to rip the D-ring off of a collar, but large breeds certainly can.
For that reason, it’s also essential for the company to stitch the D-ring firmly into the dog’s collar. If they don’t a few strong pulls will mean your dog is off the leash and chasing that squirrel. Sure, your dog may be well-behaved, but we took this factor into account nonetheless.
Adjustment Ability
It’s difficult to create a one-size-fits-all review of dog collars, but we did our best. One of the biggest determining factors we reviewed was the ability to adjust these collars. It can be tough to find a collar that fits your dog, especially if they’re still growing.
We practically ignored single-sized collars when making this review. While these collars work for some dogs, they certainly don’t fit all of the breeds out there. Collars designed to fit small breeds won’t apply to owners of larger dogs and vice versa.
Furthermore, buying a fixed collar for a growing dog will mean you’ll have to purchase a new one within the year. For those reasons, we excluded non-adjustable collars from our review. There are some fantastic fixed collars out there, but we didn’t feel that they fit the theme of our dog collar ratings.
High-Quality Materials
Dog collars and any clasps, clips, or buckles they use should be made from strong, durable, high-quality materials.
High-quality fabric or leather will not only be safer and keep your dog on its leash; it will provide more comfort for your dog as well. Ideally, you’ll want a collar that your dog hardly notices. If they’re itching or scratching at the collar, you probably have to buy a replacement.
The buckles and straps need to be of high-quality as well. These don’t factor into the dog’s comfort very much, but they certainly play a role in safety. The last thing any dog owner wants is to hear a snap and see their pooch off and running. High-quality buckles, clasps, and clips will prevent the nightmare scenarios.
User Feedback
User feedback is one of the most important elements in any product review – especially when it comes to dog collars. Dog collars need to be high-quality and effective. Those who have purchased these products and tried them for themselves often know best when it comes to how dog collars perform in the long-run.
While we can test a lot of these products in a controlled setting, we can’t try these collars in practical, long-term applications. We won’t be able to tell, for instance, that a certain dog collar deteriorates after washing it three or fours times since we aren’t able to test them to their furthest extent.
Other considerations such as whether or not a dog finds a particular collar comfortable is another aspect we can’t fully explore. Some dogs find certain collars more comfortable than others, which is helpful to know before making your final choice.
User reviews played a pivotal role in developing these rankings. We weighed positive and negative feedback from the community to get the best rating system we could manage.
Top 5 Best Dog Collars
In this section, we’ll take a look at the five best collar options for all breeds. These collars will fit dogs both big and small and are made from durable materials that can take the tugging and pulling that larger breeds throw at them.
Although we rated some higher than others, any of these options would make fantastic dog collars if you’re a new dog owner. You should look for durability first, which all of these have in spades.
Let us know if we missed a collar your dog loves. We’re always looking for new items to review, and want to make sure your furry friends are as content and as safe as possible.
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Soft Touch Collars Luxury Real Leather Padded Dog Collar
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Leather collars, while nice looking, often aren’t the best selection for a dog. Not only are they a hassle to wash, but a lot of them can be uncomfortable for the dog to wear on a regular basis. The Soft Touch Collars Luxury Real Leather Padded Dog Collar is an exception.
This collar is one that your dog will never mind putting on. The padded leather provides a layer of comfort for your dog, and they’ll barely notice they’re even wearing a collar.
It comes in multiple sizes and color options, so you’re guaranteed to find something that fits your dog’s look. The brass D-ring is where this collar really shines. It’s as strong as any that we’ve tested.
Rating: 5/5
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Illumiseen LED Dog Collar
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The Illumiseen LED Dog Collar ranks so high on this list because of its utility. This is a collar most dog owners will want to have for taking their dogs out at night. Using this collar gives you peace of mind that you and the rest of the world will see your dog coming.
Finding your dog at night is one thing – allowing passing drivers to see that you have a dog is another.
You can choose from three different light settings, and recharge this collar through a USB port. While the collar isn’t as useful as some others for daytime use, it’s certainly one you should pick up for evening walks with your dog.
Rating: 5/5
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GoTags Personalized Dog Collar
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The GoTags Personalized Dog Collar is another practical addition to this list. You can add your dog’s name to their collar, as well as a phone number, so you don’t need to worry about getting any dog tags.
There are a lot of personalized collars on the market. The reason this one makes our list is that of its quality. It’s one of the best collars you can buy – even without the practical application. The stitching is fantastic, and the stainless steel D-ring can take a tug from the strongest breed out there.
We recommend picking this collar up if you like the idea of customization. It’s hard to find the combination of quality and personalization, but GoTags offers it.
Rating: 4.5/5
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Blueberry Pet Classic Solid Color Dog Collar
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The Blueberry Pet Classic Solid Color Dog Collar is an inexpensive classic dog collar for those who just need something to keep their dog on the leash. The collar is made of high-quality materials, and the D-ring can handle a strong pull from the biggest breeds.
There are countless color options with this collar, as well as the ability to add a bandana style if you prefer. There is no shortage of customization options – even for a basic collar like this one.
The side clasp of the collar is another positive attribute. Only certain breeds have a small enough head for you to slide their collar over. The side clasp means that this will fit virtually any dog breed out there.
Rating: 4/5
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Friends Forever Dog Collar
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The Friends Forever Dog Collar is another side-release collar made from durable materials. Friends Forever is so confident that it can take the tugging and pulling of your dog’s daily activities that they offer a 12-month warranty with every purchase.
The customization options are a bit limited here, but that’s not the end of the world. You need to select from four color patterns. While these patterns look interesting, the colors don’t offer the same level of customization as the other nylon collars we’ve seen.
Rating: 4/5
Buyer’s Guide
Now that we’ve given you our recommendations for the best dog collars for all breeds, we’ll give you some insight into other components to consider when making your selections.
While we tried our best to cover the range of needs each breed has, it’s difficult to create a one-size-fits-all chart for dog collars. Consider some of the following elements – including how to size your dog’s collar – and make an informed decision about the best dog collar for your pooch.
Machine Washable Collars
We didn’t factor the washing component into our rankings, but it’s an element you should consider as a dog owner. You probably know that everything your dog touches eventually gets dirty. The same is true with their collar, and you’ll have to wash it from time to time.
Washing a collar by hand is doable, but it isn’t the easiest way to go about it. It’s much simpler to throw your dog’s collar in the washing machine, dry it out, and put it back on your good boy or girl.
Leather collars look great, but they aren’t the easiest to maintain. Consider the cleaning element before making the decision. It wasn’t a deciding factor in our ratings, but it could mean more to some buyers than others.
Side-Release Collars
Side-release collars are some of the most versatile and useful collars you can purchase. You can buy them in almost every size, and they’re perfect for dogs with large heads.
Smaller breeds – dogs that can slip a collar right over their head – might be better suited for a different kind of collar, but side-release collars are the best for the largest percentage of dogs.
You can get the collar on and off with the clip of a buckle, and as long as the company makes the collar from high-quality materials, you won’t have to worry about any breaks or rips.
These collars are also very common, and you can purchase them at any pet store, or on Amazon.
We didn’t include side-release collars exclusively in our rankings, but purchasing one of these is a good tip for most dog owners.
Sizing Your Dog’s Collar
There are a few options you can choose from when sizing your dog’s collar. If you’re using a martingale collar, then you need to measure the widest part of your dog’s head to make sure the collar will fit over it. If you’re using a release collar, then all you have to worry about is the neck measurement.
If you have a soft tape measure handy, simply measure the width of your dog’s neck using this tool. Keep the tape snug against the neck, but not too tight as to make your dog uncomfortable. Check this measurement against the collar you’re using for your dog to make sure they match.
You can use some string to gauge how long you need the collar to be if you don’t have a soft tape measure. Lay the string flat against a ruler or other measuring device once you complete the measurement. This will tell you the size of any collar you need to buy.
