Dog Collars – A Basic Overview

One of the few indulgences for dog lovers are dog collars! Any dog owner knows that a collar is a necessity, but they can also be a fun fashion accessory to buy for your dog. Buying a unique looking dog collar will make your dog different from every other dog and can really draw some attention! From a practical, durable leather collar to a fancy, rhinestone personalized collar, dog collars can really be a fashion statement for your canine friend.

The material making up dog collars varies greatly and you can find collars made of leather, nylon, chain, beads, and everything in-between. Dog collars are generally categorized by their purpose. Therefore, you have training collars, adjustable collars, no-bark collars, reflective collars, shock collars and Martingale collars, among many others.

The collar you choose depends on your purpose and the type and size of dog you own. You wouldn’t need a prong collar for a chihuahua, and likewise you wouldn’t use a thin fabric collar for a Saint Bernard. Take into consideration the intended use of the collar first, and then look at the size of your dog, his or her strength, whether or not they pull on their leash when walking and even whether they’re short- or long-coated.

When measuring for dog collars, use a flexible measuring tape. Place the tape taut around the neck of your dog and just behind the ears. This measurement will be larger than where the collar will actually rest, but this gives a couple inches of give and will be comfortable for the dog to wear. Measuring directly behind the ears also insures that your collar size will not be too large and enable to dog to back out of his collar.

Generally, dog collars come in the following sizes: toy (8-12 inches), small (10-14 inches), medium (14-18 inches), large (18-22 inches) and extra large (22-26 inches). The larger the dog, the wider the collar will be. You may also want to opt for a hard plastic snap instead of a buckle for a larger dog, unless you can be sure the buckle is high quality and can withstand the pull of a large dog.

Prices for dog collars range anywhere from $5-6 for a basic nylon collar to hundreds of dollars for a leather collar embellished with rhinestones. You do tend to get what you pay for with dog collars, so get the best you can afford.