How to Choose the Right Dog Collar: A Complete Guide
How to Choose the Right Dog Collar: A Complete Guide
Choosing a dog collar sounds simple.
Find one you like. Pick a size. Put it on your dog.
But when you consider just how much time your dog may spend wearing their collar, it's worth giving the decision a little more thought.
The right dog collar should be comfortable, secure, appropriately sized and suited to your dog's individual build and lifestyle.
It should be strong enough for its intended purpose without being unnecessarily heavy. It should sit comfortably against your dog's neck. And ideally, it should be made well enough that you won't need to replace it every few months.
Then, once you've taken care of all the practical considerations, there's absolutely nothing wrong with wanting it to look fabulous too.
So, how do you choose the right dog collar?
Here's what we recommend considering.
1. Start With Your Dog, Not the Collar
Before looking at colours, patterns or styles, look at your dog.
Consider their:
- Neck size
- Breed and build
- Head and neck shape
- Coat type
- Age
- Strength
- Activity level
- Skin sensitivity
- Walking behaviour
A collar that's perfect for a Golden Retriever isn't necessarily appropriate for a Whippet.
Likewise, a collar that works beautifully on a small Cavoodle may be too lightweight for a large German Shepherd.
There isn't one "best dog collar" for every dog.
The best collar is the one that's right for yours.
2. Measure Your Dog's Neck Properly
One of the most common mistakes when buying a collar is guessing the size.
Don't assume your Labrador needs a Large.
Don't assume your French Bulldog needs a Medium.
And don't simply buy the same size you purchased from another brand.
Sizing isn't necessarily consistent between manufacturers.
Instead:
Measure your dog.
Use a soft measuring tape around the part of your dog's neck where the collar will naturally sit.
Keep the tape comfortably against the neck without pulling it excessively tight.
If you don't have a flexible measuring tape, use a piece of string and then measure the string against a ruler or rigid tape measure.
Record the measurement and compare it with the sizing information for the collar you're considering.
For step-by-step instructions, check out our Perfect Size Guide
How to Measure Your Dog for a Collar
3. Get the Fit Right
Once you've chosen the correct size, the next step is making sure the collar actually fits.
A collar that's too tight can create unnecessary pressure, rubbing and discomfort.
One that's excessively loose can move around, catch on things or potentially slip over your dog's head.
A useful general starting point is the two-finger rule.
Once the collar is fastened, you should generally be able to slide approximately two fingers comfortably between the collar and your dog's neck.
You shouldn't have to force them underneath.
At the same time, the collar shouldn't be hanging loosely around the neck.
Remember that the two-finger rule is a guide rather than a substitute for looking at your individual dog.
For more information, read:
How Tight Should a Dog Collar Be?
4. Choose the Right Collar Width
Width is often overlooked when choosing a dog collar.
But it can make a significant difference to both comfort and proportion.
A very wide, heavy collar may overwhelm a tiny dog.
A very narrow collar may not be the most appropriate choice for a large, powerful dog or a breed with a long, slender neck.
At The Maasai Collection, our collars are available in different widths so that you can choose something proportionate to your individual dog.
For many dogs, a 2.5 cm collar provides a classic everyday width.
For sighthounds such as Whippets and Greyhounds, an extra-wide 5 cm collar can be particularly well suited to their long, slender necks, provided the individual dog's measurements and proportions suit the design.
Don't choose width purely for appearance.
Think about how the collar feels and functions too.
5. Consider Your Dog's Head and Neck Shape
Dogs come in remarkably different shapes.
Compare a Greyhound with a Rottweiler.
Or a Dachshund with a French Bulldog.
The difference isn't simply size.
Their proportions are completely different.
Sighthounds such as Whippets and Greyhounds have relatively narrow heads in relation to their necks, which means collar security deserves particular consideration.
Other breeds have broader heads and substantial necks.
Some have folds around the neck.
Some have almost no coat.
Others have an enormous amount of it.
This is why choosing a collar based purely on body weight isn't enough.
Shape matters too.
6. Think About Your Dog's Coat
Your dog's coat can affect how a collar fits and feels.
Long-haired or curly-coated dogs such as Golden Retrievers, Poodles and Cavoodles may be more prone to tangling or matting underneath a collar.
Dogs with very short coats—such as Whippets and Greyhounds—have less natural cushioning between the collar and skin.
Regularly remove the collar when appropriate and check underneath it.
Look for:
- Redness
- Rubbing
- Matted hair
- Hair loss
- Skin irritation
- Pressure marks
And remember that grooming and seasonal coat changes can alter the fit.
7. Choose the Right Material
Dog collars are available in everything from nylon and synthetic webbing to leather and other materials.
Each has its place.
For everyday collars, we're naturally rather fond of premium leather.
And not simply because it looks beautiful.
Quality leather offers a wonderful combination of:
Strength.
Durability.
Comfort.
Longevity.
One of the characteristics we particularly love about leather is the way it changes over time.
Good leather gradually softens and becomes more supple with use, developing a patina and character that's unique to the dog wearing it.
Rather than automatically becoming less attractive as it ages, quality leather can actually become more beautiful.
8. Look Carefully at the Hardware
The material isn't the only part of a collar that matters.
Look at the hardware too.
Pay attention to:
- The buckle
- D-ring
- Rivets
- Stitching
- Attachment points
For a collar used with a lead, these components can be subjected to considerable force.
At The Maasai Collection, we favour traditional metal buckle construction and quality metal hardware because we want our collars to feel substantial, dependable and made for real-world use.
A beautiful collar still needs to function properly.
9. Buckle, Clip or Martingale?
Different collar styles work differently.
Traditional buckle collars
A metal pin buckle passes through a hole in the collar, providing a simple and secure fixed fit.
We love this traditional construction because it's robust, adjustable and beautifully suited to premium leather.
Quick-release collars
These use a clip mechanism rather than a traditional buckle. They're convenient to put on and remove, although construction and strength can vary significantly between products.
Martingale collars
Martingale collars tighten to a limited degree when tension is applied and are commonly used with narrow-headed breeds such as Greyhounds and Whippets.
If your dog has particular behavioural, anatomical or medical requirements, speak with your veterinarian or a suitably qualified dog professional about the most appropriate equipment.
10. Collar or Harness?
It doesn't necessarily have to be one or the other.
A collar can be ideal for carrying identification and everyday wear, while some dogs may be better walked using a properly fitted harness.
This can be particularly relevant for dogs that pull strongly or have certain neck, respiratory or physical considerations.
A harness doesn't make a beautiful collar redundant.
Many dogs wear both—a collar for identification and everyday use, with a harness used when appropriate for walking.
If you're uncertain what's safest for your individual dog, ask your veterinarian or a suitably qualified dog professional.
11. Think About Your Dog's Lifestyle
The right collar also depends on what your dog actually does.
Is your dog primarily enjoying neighbourhood walks and café visits?
Do they regularly hike?
Swim?
Run through mud?
Spend weekends at the beach?
Premium leather is wonderfully durable, but it isn't necessarily the best material for repeated soaking.
If your dog spends half their life in the ocean, you may prefer appropriate water-resistant equipment for swimming and save their premium leather collar for everyday wear.
Choose equipment for your dog's real life, rather than the life you imagine they'll have.
12. Don't Forget Puppies Grow
A puppy's collar needs considerably more attention than an adult dog's.
Puppies can grow surprisingly quickly.
A collar that fitted perfectly a few weeks ago can become too tight before you realise it.
Check the fit frequently and adjust it as your puppy grows.
Eventually, they'll reach the end of the adjustment range and need the next size.
Don't try to squeeze another month from a collar that's becoming too small.
Comfort comes first.
13. Think About Longevity
There's another question worth asking when choosing a collar:
How long is this designed to last?
Cheap accessories can seem appealing initially.
But repeatedly buying, using and throwing away products isn't necessarily good value—and it contributes to a culture of disposability.
We prefer a different approach.
Buy thoughtfully.
Choose quality.
Look after it.
Enjoy it for as long as possible.
A quality leather collar that's correctly maintained can develop character over years of use rather than needing to be constantly replaced.
For more on this, read:
How Often Should You Replace Your Dog's Collar?
14. Look Beyond the Finished Product
There's one question consumers are increasingly asking about the things they buy:
Who made this?
For us, that's particularly important.
The intricate beadwork on The Maasai Collection collars is handcrafted by talented Maasai artisan women in Kenya—the Mamas.
These aren't patterns printed by machines.
They're created bead by bead.
By hand.
The craftsmanship takes time, patience and remarkable skill.
When you understand the person and process behind something, you begin to look at the finished product differently.
15. And Finally... Choose Something You Love
We've spent most of this article talking about practical things.
Fit.
Width.
Material.
Hardware.
Comfort.
Safety.
Durability.
All of those should come first.
But once you've got those things right?
Have some fun.
Your dog's collar can be an expression of their personality—and perhaps a little of yours too.
Bold colour.
Subtle pattern.
Something classic.
Something extravagant.
Something nobody else at the dog park is wearing.
Your dog probably doesn't care whether the beadwork complements their coat.
But you can.
Why We Love Handcrafted Collars
There's something rather special about putting an individually made collar on an individual dog.
Every dog is different.
Different personality.
Different quirks.
Different adventures.
Different story.
And handcrafted products have individuality too.
Subtle variations are a natural part of something made by hand rather than by a machine.
We don't see those differences as imperfections.
They're reminders that somebody created the piece.
A pair of hands behind every collar.
Beauty With Purpose
That's what ultimately brings everything together for us.
We want a collar to be practical.
Comfortable.
Durable.
Beautiful.
But we also want it to have meaning.
Our collars combine premium leather and quality hardware with the remarkable beadwork of Maasai artisan women in Kenya.
It's a meeting of everyday function and traditional craftsmanship.
A collar designed for a much-loved dog.
Made by a person whose skill deserves to be recognised and valued.
That's what we mean by:
Beauty with Purpose.
How to Choose the Right Dog Collar: The Quick Checklist
Before you buy, ask yourself:
Have I measured my dog's neck?
Is the collar the correct size?
Is the width appropriate for my dog's build?
Will it sit comfortably against their coat and skin?
Is the hardware strong and secure?
Is the material appropriate for their lifestyle?
Does the collar suit the way I'll actually use it?
Is it made well enough to last?
And finally:
Do I love the way it looks on my dog?
If you can answer yes to all of those, you're probably on the right track.
Because the right dog collar isn't simply the one that looks best on the website.
It's the one that fits your dog, their lifestyle—and their personality.
The Maasai Collection — Beauty with Purpose.