What collar should I get my puppy? Essential Tips

Our Top Picks For Best Puppy Collars

Pattern: Solid

Material: Nylon, Aluminum Faceplate

Here is our list of top picks for the best puppy collar.

It might be pricey, but unlike a regular collar, the Fi collar is a GPS-enabled smart collar to keep tabs on your dog’s location – and it’s one of the best collars you can get.

Dogs get lost easily, but they’re even more likely to run off when they’re excitable puppies.

The Fi collar creates a circular perimeter that alerts you when the dog escapes. It then uses its LTE service to connect to a smartphone app, so you can track them down easily. And with a battery lasting 3 months, you don’t need to worry about it running out of charge.

The Fi collars also tracks your dog’s activity to ensure they’re getting enough exercise during the day and enough sleep at night. The only problem is these technical features require a bulky box attached to the pet’s collar, something that might not be comfortable for smaller puppies.

The collar itself is resistant to chewing, waterproof, and comes in four colors (pink, blue, yellow, and gray) and 4 sizes:

Small: 11.5”-13.5”

Medium 13”-16.5”

Large 16”-22.5”

X Large 22”-34.5”

Note: Read our full Fi collar review to get detailed information.

GPS/LTE-enabled location tracker

Activity and sleep tracker

Lost dog mode

3-month battery life

Waterproof

Aluminum faceplate

LED light

Long battery

Set geo-boundaries

User-friendly app

Accurate GPS tracking

Escape alerts

Tracks sleep and daily activity

One of the best collars for safety

1-year warranty

Bulky box attached

Expensive

Dogs must be over 10lbs

The price of “Fi Series 2 Collar” varies, so check the latest price at

With five-star reviews all over the internet, this is a great basic puppy collar; affordable, simple, and elegant – precisely what you’d expect from a well-recognized and trusted brand like Blueberry Pet.

Offering 26 vibrant colors, this puppy collar is great for making your pup stand out, whether they’re wearing Florence orange, royal blue, or dark orchid. And with matching leashes available, you can be just as fashionable as your pup.

If your puppy’s security is an issue, this dog collar has a heavy-duty snap buckle to keep them safe. And in case your puppy has a knack for slipping out of its collar, the Blueberry pet collar comes in regular and martingale styles.

Made from durable, high-density nylon fabric, the collar is conveniently machine washable, so you’ll only need one – although you might want to pick a few more color combinations!

Although it has 26 color options, there are only 4 sizes avaialble:

X-Small: 8”-11”

Small: 12”-16”

Medium: 14.5” 20”

Large: 18”-26”

Durable D-ring leash attachment

Machine washable

Eco-friendly, heavy-duty buckle closure

Popular and trusted brand

Customizing options available for an extra fee

Lots of color choices

Matching lead, harness, and seatbelt available

Martingale version also available

Easy to wash

No reflective stitching on strip

Collar can loosen over time and needs re-tightening

The price of “Blueberry Pet Classic” varies, so check the latest price at

If you want your dog’s collar to look stylish, you can’t go wrong with the Unique Style Paws dog collar that comes with its own adorable bowtie – perfect for Instagram photoshoots! And you can even join in with a matching lead. Since it’s not a permanent fixation, you can put it on or take it off easily using the elastic strap.

A warning though: don’t leave the bowtie on when they’re unsupervised. You don’t want your pup to chew it off and choke!

If you don’t like the bowtie, this fashionable dog collar still comes in six stylish patterns and colors. Whether you go with floral, stripes, or even tartan, your puppy won’t fail to capture hearts.

This collar also stands out thanks to its multiple sizes. Not only is it lightweight and perfect for small dogs (even the plastic buckle is thin!), but this dog collar also comes in six sizes:

XX-Small: 7”-11”

X-Small: 8”-12”

Small: 10”-16”

Medium: 12”-22”

Large: 16”-24”

X-Large: 16”-26”

Despite being lightweight, the dog collar isn’t flimsy. Made with high-quality pure cotton fabric, it’s soft, flexible, and durable. However, it also means that you must wash it on a gentle cycle with only mild detergent, before hanging it up to dry.

Optional bowtie attachment

Matching leash

Six color/ pattern options

Made from high-quality pure cotton fabric

Plastic buckle

Cute and perfect for photos

Colors and patterns are particularly vibrant

Huge choice of sizes

Lightweight but durable

Cotton fabric is soft and won’t harm pet’s skin

Bowtie can be a choking hazard

Must be washed on gentle cycle with mild detergent and hung up to dry

The price of “Unique Style Paws” varies, so check the latest price at

When it’s safe, there’s nothing better than letting them off the leash and playing with other excitable puppies… But what if you can’t spot yours from the crowd?

While that’s unlikely, there are still times when it’s useful to spot your dog quickly. That’s where the GoTags Personalized dog collar comes in handy. With a variety of bright and bold colors, this collar helps your dog stand out.

The main draw of this dog collar is customization. With a choice of five thread colors (black, blue, orange, pink, or red), you can select up to 25 characters to embroider into the collar. The best choice is to choose your dog’s name and phone number to make their ID easy to see.

Don’t need to worry about the threading coming out. The dog collars are made of nylon – durable, comfortable, and machine washable.

There’s sure to be one to fit your puppy since it comes in a range of adjustable sizes:

X-Small: 8”-12”

Small: 11”-16”

Medium: 14”-20”

Large: 18”-26”

Custom embroidered up to 25 characters

14 thread colors

5 color options

Side-release buckle

Non-corrosive D-ring

Durable, soft nylon material

Personal

Easy to identify

Machine washable

No pattern options

ID only visible during the day

The price of “GoTags Nylon Personalized” varies, so check the latest price at

Your puppy grows up fast. So, if you’re on a budget, you don’t want to keep buying expensive dog collars in bigger sizes. That’s where the Frisco martingale collar might be a good option.

Although this is the “budget-friendly option”, it comes in 4 colors (pink, red, blue, and black), has a matching leash, and is made from high-quality woven nylon. In fact, the material is so sturdy that it’s been lab-tested to withstand up to seven times the maximum weight – your pup won’t rip out of this!

Security is one of the main advantages of this collar, despite being the most affordable. That’s because it’s a martingale collar.

Martingale collars include a double-loop design, giving you more control and stopping your pup from escaping. The first loop is a normal collar, but the second tightens if your dog tries to worm its way out.

Bear in mind that this dog collar isn’t machine washable – you must wash it by hand. And it’s not suitable for very small puppies since they only have three sizes:

Small: 14”-17”

Medium: 17”-20”

Large: 20”-25”

Side-release buckle

High-quality woven nylon

Martingale dog collar

Affordable

Matching lead available

Can withstand up to seven times maximum weight

Martingale style adds extra security

Not suitable for smaller puppies

Not machine washable

The price of “Frisco Martingale” varies, so check the latest price at

What if you’re a breeder about to come face-to-face with a whole litter of puppies? Then the GAMUDA puppy collars are perfect.

Like most collars for puppies, these are made from high-quality nylon, making them durable but lightweight. However, these ones are a step ahead by selecting the softest and lightest nylon on the market.

These dog collars come in a pack of 12, each with a different color. It’s super-easy to wash them; you don’t have to wash them individually by hand – you can just throw them in the washing machine, and voila!

Each set comes with two record-keeping charts – ideal for breeders to keep detailed records on weight progress, vaccination dates, and their new owner’s information.

Just bear in mind that the puppy collars can sometimes slide off smaller pups quite easily, so you might need to wait until they’re a little older. They only come in two sizes:

High-quality nylon

2 styles available

Set of 12

Machine washable

Perfect for breeders

Softest and lightest nylon

Record-keeping charts to store information

The price of “GAMUDA Puppy Collars” varies, so check the latest price at

Selecting a Collar Type

Question What collar size would be right for a golden retriever/German shepherd mix? Community Answer Large, for an adult. Dont get the clapping ones, as they easily break.

Question What collar size would be right for a 10-week-old Springer? Community Answer A small collar would probably be best, but youll need to measure the neck because all dogs are different.

Question I need to put a collar on my one-month-old Indian bred combai. Is that okay? Velana Valdez Community Answer Wait until your dog is about 16 weeks old to use a collar with her.

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What size collar should I buy for my puppy?

One of the questions we get asked the most is “what size collar should I buy for my puppy?” Generally, if we know what breed your puppy is, we can make an educated assessment of what size of collar your puppy will need.

Take a look at our puppy collar size chart below, to see which size Oscar & Hooch collar will be the best fit for your new furry family member. Our recommendations are based on the average neck size and weight of each breed, which can also be found below.

However, if you’re still unsure, you can always buy two sizes and return the unused one to us.

Collar or Harness for Puppies – Which one to pick?

Choosing the right dog collar for your new pup can make all the difference when it comes to training. With all the options available, stepping into the collar aisle at the pet store might even be a little overwhelming. A standard collar that displays ID tags is always recommended for your pup, but is it good enough to train and walk your dog with?Â

There are many options out there for choosing a dog collar. It’s important to understand the choices and the main purposes for each collar before deciding on one. Making the right choice will ensure that your dog gets the support they need and will also help assist you while you train the newest member of your family.Â

Flat-buckle collar. Flat-buckle collars, which are simple collars that buckle or snap closed, are the most popular choice by far when it comes to dog collars. They’re available in a range of sizes and materials and can be very fashion-forward. Some also come with light-reflective strips, which can be useful when walking your dog at night. A flat-buckle collar is a great choice for securing tags to your dog. Â

Martingale collar. These collars are recommended for dogs with slender necks or smaller heads. Martingale collars offer the comfort of a regular flat-buckle collar, but with a catch. There’s a small chain linked to rings at the ends of the collar that cause the collar to become tighter when pulled.Â

Choke collar/chain. Choke collars work by tightening around the neck when the control loop is pulled. Unfortunately, there’s nothing on the collar that safeguards how tightly it can be pulled. This can result in possible throat damage and other injuries to your dog. They’re not recommended as a safe collar option.Â

Prong/pinch collar. Prong collars have a similar function to choke collars, except for the small, blunt, metal prongs on the inside of the collar. These prongs are meant to dig into the dog’s skin when the leash is pulled. Because they’re easy to misuse, they’re also not recommended as a safe option. Â

Body harness. The body harness is a popular choice for small dogs or dogs with a delicate throat area. A body harness might make your dog more prone to pulling on the leash because they don’t feel tension around the neck. In this case, front-hook harnesses come in handy. Because the leash is fastened in the front, it gives more leverage to the handler and requires less strength.Â

Head halter. A head halter, or head collar, is mostly used as a training tool for big dogs. The harness loops around your dog’s head and sits on the neck, while the other strap loops around the muzzle, where it attaches to the leash. It’s very similar to a horse’s harness. This setup gives you more leverage than the average collar and can be a great training tool when used correctly.Â

BREED	Average Neck Inches (adult)	Average Neck cms (adult)	Average Weight kgs (adult)	Suggested Oscar & Hooch puppy collar size
Afghan Hound	16-22″	41-56cm	26-30 kgs	S
Airdale Terrier	16-22″	41-56cm	19-20 kgs	S
Akita	20-24″	51-61cm	30-60 kgs	S/M
Alaskan Malamute	15-22″	38-56cm	30-43 kgs	S
American Eskimo	16-20″	41-51cm	8-16 kgs	S
American Eskimo Miniature	13-16”	33-41cm	7-11 kgs	S
American Indian Dog	16-22″	41-56cm	13-27 kgs	S
American Pit Bull Terrier	14-18”	36-46cm	13-30 kgs	S
Australian Cattle Dog	22-28″	56-71cm	14-16 kgs	S/M
Australian Kelpie	15-21″	38-53cm	11-20 kgs	S
Australian Shepherd	16-22″	41-56cm	16-32 kgs	S
Australian Shepherd Miniature	10-14”	25-36cm	7-16 kgs	XS
Basenji	10-14″	25-36cm	9-12 kgs	XS
Basset Hound	16-22″	41-56cm	18-27 kgs	S
Beagle	12-18″	30-46cm	8-14 kgs	S
Bearded Collie	16-19″	41-48cm	20-27 kgs	S
Bedlington Terrier	14-18″	36-46cm	7-10 kgs	S
Belgian Malinois	16-20″	41-51cm	25-34 kgs	S
Berger de Brie (Briard)	18-22″	46-56cm	30-40 kgs	S
Bernese Mountain Dog	20-26″	51-66cm	34-45 kgs	S/M
Bichon Bolognese	10-16″	25-41cm	3-6 kgs	XS
Bichon Frise	14-18″	36-46cm	4-6 kgs	S
Black And Tan Coonhound	19-23″	48-58cm	30-39 kgs	S
Bloodhound	22-28″	56-71cm	40-48 kgs	S/M
Blue Heeler	22-28″	56-71cm	13-16 kgs	S/M
Border Collie	14-18″	36-46cm	12-20 kgs	S
Border Terrier	11-13″	28-33cm	5-7 kgs	XS
Borzoi (Russian Wolfhound)	18-22″	46-56cm	34-45 kgs	S
Boston Terrier	12-18″	30-46cm	5-11 kgs	S
Bouvier Des Flanders	22-26″	56-66cm	27-35 kgs	S/M
Boxer	16-22″	41-56cm	25-34 kgs	S
Britany Spaniel	14-16″	36-41cm	13-18 kgs	S
Bull Terrier	12-18″	30-46cm	20-30 kgs	S
Bull Terrier Miniature	12-18″	30-46cm	11-17 kgs	S
Bulldog (American)	18-24″	46-61cm	27-54 kgs	S
Bulldog (English)	18-24″	46-61cm	22-25 kgs	S
Bulldog (French)	12-16″	30-41cm	8-13 kgs	XS
Bullmastiff	26-28″	66-71cm	45-60 kgs	S/M
Cairn Terrier	10-16″	25-41cm	5-7 kgs	XS
Cane Corso	22-30″	56-76cm	40-50 kgs	S/M
Caucasian Shepherd	22-26″	56-66cm	45-90 kgs	S/M
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel	10-16″	25-41cm	6-8 kgs	XS
Cavapoo	10-16″	25-41cm	7-14 kgs	XS
Chesapeake Bay Retriever	18-24″	46-61cm	25-35 kgs	S
Chihuahua	8-14″	20-36cm	1-3 kgs	XXS
Chinese Crested	8-11″	20-28cm	2-5 kgs	XXS
Chow	18-24″	46-61cm	20-30 kgs	S
Cockapoo	10-16″	25-41cm	7-14 kgs	XS
Cocker Spaniel	12-18″	30-46cm	12-16 kgs	S
Collie	18-22″	46-56cm	20-35 kgs	S
Corgi (Cardigan Welsh)	14-16″	36-41cm	11-17 kgs	S
Corgi (Pembroke Welsh)	14-16″	36-41cm	10-13 kgs	S
Dachshund Miniature	8-12″	20-30cm	4-7 kgs	XXS
Dachshund Standard	16-20″	41-51cm	8-15 kgs	S
Dalmatian	14-20″	36-51cm	20-30 kgs	S
Doberman Pinscher	18-24″	46-61cm	30-40 kgs	S
Dogo Argentino	20-26″	51-66cm	35-45 kgs	S/M
English Mastiff	28-38″	71-97cm	55-100 kgs	S/M
English Setter	18-24″	46-61cm	30-35 kgs	S
Flat-Coated Retriever	18-24″	46-61cm	27-32 kgs	S
Fox Terrier	10-16″	25-41cm	6-8 kgs	XS
German Long Haired Pointer	16-20″	41-51cm	25-34 kgs	S
German Shepherd	18-24″	46-61cm	20-40 kgs	S
German Shorthair Pointer	15-17″	38-43cm	18-30 kgs	S
Golden Retriever	16-24″	41-61cm	25-34 kgs	S
Goldendoodle Miniature	14-16″	36-41cm	13-20 kgs	S
Goldendoodle Standard	16-22″	41-56cm	18-22 kgs	S
Great Dane	20-26″	51-66cm	45-90 kgs	S/M
Great Pyrenees	24-30″	61-76cm	41-57 kgs	S/M
Greyhound	14-18″	36-46cm	25-35 kgs	S
Greyhound Italian	8-11″	20-28cm	3-6 kgs	XXS
Havanese	8-14″	20-36cm	3-6 kgs	XXS
Irish Setter	16-22″	41-56cm	24-32 kgs	S
Irish Terrier	16-20″	41-51cm	11-12 kgs	S
Irish Wolfhound	20- 27″	51-69cm	45-80 kgs	S/M
Jack Russell Terrier	10-14″	25-36cm	6-8 kgs	XS
King Charles Cavalier	10-16″	25-41cm	5-8 kgs	XS
Labradoodle	14-20″	36-51cm	20-30 kgs	S
Labradoodle Miniature	12-16″	30-41cm	13-22 kgs	XS
Labrador Retriever	18-24″	46-61cm	25-35 kgs	S
Leonberger	20-26″	51-66cm	39-63 kgs	S/M
Lhasa Apso	12-16″	30-41cm	6-7 kgs	XS
Louisiana Catahoula Leopard	16-21″	41-53cm	20-45 kgs	S
Lurcher	13-20″	33-51cm	16-45 kgs	S
Maltese	10-14″	25-36cm	3-4 kgs	XS
Newfoundland	26-32″	66-81cm	50-70 kgs	S/M
Old English Sheepdog	18-24″	45-61cm	27-29 kgs	S
Papillon	8-12″	20-30cm	4-5 kgs	XXS
Pekingese	12-16″	30-40cm	4-5 kgs	XS
Pembroke Welsh Corgi	14-16″	35-40cm	11-17 kgs	S
Pharoah Hound	10-14″	25-35cm	18-27 kgs	XS
Pinscher Miniature	8-11″	20-28cm	4-5 kgs	XXS
Pomeranian	10-14″	25-35cm	4-6 kgs	XS
Poodle (Miniature)	10-16″	25-40cm	7-8 kgs	XS
Poodle (Standard)	12-18″	30-45cm	20-32 kgs	S
Poodle (Toy)	8-14″	20-35cm	3-4 kgs	XXS
Portuguese Water Dog	15-20″	38-50cm	27-43 kgs	S
Pug	12-16″	30-40cm	6-8 kgs	XS
Puggle	12-18″	30-45cm	7-14 kgs	S
Rat Terrier	13-16″	33-40cm	5-6 kgs	S
Rhodesian Ridgeback	20-23″	50-58cm	29-41 kgs	S/M
Rottweiler	24-30″	61-76cm	35-60 kgs	S/M
Saluki	13-18″	33-46cm	18-27 kgs	S
Samoyed