After we’ve already made the decision to invest in a high-quality leather dog collar it often happens that we cannot decide on the proper parameters. One of these is collar width. We usually consider what width would look good on our dog and what would be comfortable for them. But since decision-making can be difficult, we have prepared this article for you in cooperation with Rudolf Desenský. This article focuses only on the collar width, another question is its tightness. You can read more in our article “How tight should a dog collar be.”
Our e-shop offers dog collars ranging in width from 2.5 cm to 7 cm. In general, the smaller the dog, the narrower the collar and vice-versa. Thanks to his experience, Mr. Desenský (RD) can often choose a suitable collar width using just the weight of the dog. We will therefore also decide on the collar width primarily in connection with the weight of the dog. The breakdown of dog breeds below is not based on any official categorization but rather on convention. There is a whole range of exceptions among dogs in a single breed, and some dog breeds will certainly overlap with multiple categories. Therefore, we would also be happy if this article is not taken as dogma but rather as a helpful guideline.
We hope that we’ve made the selection of the proper collar width a little clearer for you. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or are interested in ordering a custom collar.
Please make your decision wisely – don’t choose an overly narrow collar that will choke your dog, or one that it too wide and which will restrict them. RD: ‘The most important thing is that the dog can breathe freely under all conditions. When a dog’s breathing is limited, they get under stress. Another difference is whether the collar is for a manageable dog or one that is a strong puller. I often tell clients that it’s similar to going shopping with a plastic bag or a bag with a wide handle. The plastic bag will cut into your hand on your way home, just like a collar that is too thin for your dog’s neck’.
If you follow the rules established here, you shouldn’t make a mistake in the majority of cases. When collars serve for various purposes, exceptions are naturally possible depending on whether the collar is intended for everyday use, for dog shows, sports activities, etc. RD: ‘When I head out to work with my dog, I choose a collar about 1 cm wider; when we’re going for a walk, I take a narrower one. The proper width makes the collar functional in many ways, not only for the safety of the dog. For example, it is possible to help a dog on a lead in bad terrain. Once we even put a wider leather collar on a greyhound stuck in a pit and pulled him out‘.
How to measure your dog for a new collar
The only measurement you’ll need when sizing a dog’s collar is the circumference of your pet’s neck. All dogs are different and vary in size, but the guidelines are the same for getting collar measurements:
Once it’s secured on your dog’s neck, check to see that the collar is sized correctly by using the two-finger rule. If it’s a good fit, you should easily be able to slip two fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck.
When shopping for a collar online, you can take measurements yourself and then refer to the store’s online measurement charts to help get the right size. Be aware that different companies may put breeds into different size categories. Generally, as long as you’re in the correct size range, collars can be adjusted to make them tighter or looser as needed.
You can’t measure for collar width, but the general rule is, the smaller the dog the narrower the collar. Wider collars are great for large, strong breeds or for sighthounds like greyhounds and whippets who can easily slip out of regular-size collars.
If the collar is just to hold tags, you don’t have to worry much about durability. However, if you plan on attaching a leash to the collar, you need a collar made of a strong, durable material like nylon or leather. Custom-made collars are great options if jangling tags annoy you or if you’re concerned about losing the tags. For example, GoTags Personalized Nylon collars come with your dog’s name and contact number embroidered onto the collar.
Choose a waterproof collar if you spend a lot of time outdoors with your dog or if your dog loves to swim. These collars are made from materials resistant to water and won’t smell musty when wet. Reflective collars are a great option if you walk your dog around the neighborhood after dark.
EXTRA LARGE FRAMED DOGS (70 + pound dogs): We generally recommend 1.5″ to 2″ wide collars for extra large breed dogs. Our collars are not intended for extended tethering use (as a primary mode of confinement), so we find that 1.5″ wide collars are often plenty for everyday wear… But 2″ collars are just tons of fun and give us so much design space the possibilities are almost endless.
LARGER FRAMED DOGS (40 to 65-pound dogs): Dogs this size generally have 16″-19″ necks. We recommend our 1.25″ and 1.5″ wide collars for larger dogs to ensure durability and longevity. If you do not use your flat/buckle collar for walking or you have an older large dog, you can always go with a narrower collar to reduce weight and bulk. Tapering can always be requested on larger necks 18″ and larger, we automatically taper collars with neck sizes smaller than 17.75″. Click on these links to view our full line of 1.25″ and 1.5″ collars.
SMALLER & MEDIUM FRAMED DOGS (20 to 35-pound dogs): Dogs this size generally have 13″-15″ necks. We recommend our 3/4″ to 1″ wide collars for medium sized dogs, if your dog is on the smaller side we can always taper our 1″ collars down in the front to keep the hardware bulk to a minimum, like our Zen and Targa collars.
MICRO & SMALL FRAMED DOGS (15-pounds or under): Dogs this size generally have 9″-12″ necks. We recommend our 1/2,” 5/8,” and 3/4″ wide collars for small dogs. If your dog is a dainty little one, stick with 1/2″ collars, as they are lightweight and narrow. If you have a tough little dog, you could go all the way up to our 3/4″ collars. Some smaller dogs can even handle our 3/4″ & 1″ collars tapered to 1/2″ at the front, like the Outlaw or Little Rocker collars.
There are exceptions to the rule, but basically, the smaller the dog the narrower the collar. The narrowest collar we sell is 1/2″ wide (half inch), which is very skinny. Half-inch collars are great for Chihuahuas, Doxies, and very small-framed dogs. The widest collars we sell are 2 inches wide,* which is a great size for Mastiffs, Large framed power breeds, and dogs with long necks.
The BIG MISTAKE That People Make When Fitting A Dog Collar
Being a responsible dog owner means ensuring that your best friend never leaves the house without a collar with ID and rabies vaccination tags attached. It doesn’t really matter whether dogs enjoy wearing collars or not – it’s a legal requirement in many communities. Moreover, collars with identification are the fastest way to reunite lost pets with their families. To ensure your pup’s collar stays on, it’s vitally important that his collar is sized correctly.