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If you’re in the market for a dog collar and leash, you may find walking into a pet store or scrolling through a dog-supply website a bit overwhelming. Options abound!
To help you make the best decision for your pet, we highlight some of the most common types of dog and puppy collars below. If you are not sure which model is right for you, speak to a veterinarian or a dog trainer, who can make a recommendation based on your individual dog.
Recommended Types of Collars for Pet Dogs
This type of collar is what you’ll see at most stores, most commonly made of nylon or leather. One issue with standard collars is that some dogs can slip out of them, especially sighthounds, like the Greyhound and the Whippet, whose necks are often larger than their heads (for those dogs, a Martingale collar described below may be a better option).
This adjustable nylon collar comes in three sizes and more than 20 colors. You can even buy a matching leash, sold separately. Price: $9.99
These customizable leather dog collars can be engraved with your name, phone, or other text. The collar comes in four sizes and six colors. Price: $15
Want a customizable collar but prefer nylon? These collars are truly personalized with five colors, 15 thread colors, and four sizes. Price: $19
Another common design, this harness fits on the dog’s chest and clips on the back. It’s beneficial for short-nosed dogs, such as Pugs or Boston Terriers, small breeds, and dogs prone to tracheal collapse (when the dog’s trachea becomes damaged, restricting the airway and sometimes requiring surgery). The con to a back-clip harness is that it can encourage pulling in dogs who haven’t mastered the loose-leash walk.
This fully-padded nylon harness is popular for dogs who participate in sports. The added reflective strip allows for optimum visibility on night walks. Price: $35
Comfort is key. In five sizes and 16 colors, this harness is both easy and safe. The harness includes a strong Velcro closure and heavy-duty metal D-rings for secure leash attachment. Price: $13
If you’re looking for a basic back-clip harness, this is the one. In three sizes, four lengths, and more than a dozen colors, this harness is a great basic essential. Price: $14
This harness design clips over the dog’s chest area, which helps prevent minor pulling and allows the owner to steer the dog. It’s recommended for pets who need a little work on their loose-leash walking, but who don’t demonstrate other behavior problems while on the leash.
This harness comes with both a back and a front clip, so you can use it both during training and afterward. The harness comes in four sizes and six colors. Price: $15
This pet behaviorist-approved harness comes in eight colors and eight sizes. The chest strap rests across your dog’s chest instead of putting pressure on their throat. Price: $21
With a clip on both the front and back, this versatile harness can be used for both training and everyday purposes. The harness comes in nine colors and five sizes. Price: $18
This popular type of collar comprises a larger loop and a smaller loop. The dog’s head fits into the larger loop and the leash is attached to the smaller loop. When the dog pulls, the larger loop tightens enough to prevent the dog from slipping out of the collar but not so much that it would choke the dog. Many trainers recommend this collar as a safer alternative to a standard collar or a choke-chain collar. It’s not recommended that a dog wear one of these while not supervised.
This martingale collar is a slip collar without the buckle, which is designed for sighthounds but can be used on other breeds as well. The collar comes in three sizes and more than 20 colors. Price: $9
The Foggy Dog Peaches and Cream Dog Collar
Designed by Cassidy Demkov exclusively for the Foggy Dog, the Peaches and Cream Dog Collar is one of this pup-friendly shops best-sellers. Available in standard sizing—thats extra-small, small, medium and large—this perfect-for-puppies collar has a five-star review on the Foggy Dogs website. One reviewer wrote, “Im so in love with the design of this collar! The pattern is precious on my puppy and the material is nice and soft. The clasp is good quality too. I do recommend actually measuring your dogs neck to make sure you get the right size. I went a size smaller than what was recommended for her breed because she is on the small side, and it fits perfect.”
Buy at The Foggy Dog.
Handmade in the USA and available in blush, light gray, slate, black or tan, Fables Signature Collar is perfect for puppies for one main reason: Its waterproof! Made with lightweight but durable high-quality materials, it can withstand up to 300 pounds of pull force and is super easy to wipe clean. (Just use a clean cloth to wipe off any dirt or liquid!)
Buy at Fable.
Collar or Harness for Puppies – Which one to pick?
Choosing the right puppy dog collar is extremely important. Your first collar will be your dog’s first experience of wearing a dog collar, so you want it to be a good one. There are lots of choices of puppy collars and leads on the market with variation in prices. Below are some considerations to help you choose the right puppy collar for your dog.