Your Guide to Dog Collars: Comfort, Safety and Fit Comparisons

Choosing the right collar for your dog goes beyond style — it’s a key decision that affects their safety, comfort and overall well-being. With so many options available, understanding the differences is essential to finding the best fit for both you and your dog. The right collar can enhance walks, support effective training and help keep your dog safe in everyday situations.

Let’s break down the pros and cons of each collar type, how to match them to your dog’s behavior and breed and what features to look for to help ensure a perfect fit.

Different Types of Dog Collars

Not all dog collars are the same, and choosing the right one depends on your dog’s size, temperament and lifestyle. From flat collars that work well for most dogs to martingales designed for escape artists, each type serves a specific purpose. Head collars offer extra control for strong pullers, while tech-savvy pet parents may prefer GPS collars to keep track of adventurous pups. Specialty collars, like flea-repelling or LED-lit styles, add an extra layer of protection in certain circumstances.¹

Here are the pros and cons of the most common types of dog collars:

Flat collars

The flat collar is the standard choice for everyday use for most dogs.² It usually has a metal, D-shaped ring for the ID tag.¹ It also typically comes in nylon or leather.²

• Pros. These are great for medium- to large-sized dogs that are comfortable walking on a leash and don’t have pulling issues.²
• Cons. If the collar isn’t properly fitted, it could choke or add pressure and potentially injure your dog’s neck or spine, especially if they are a puller. On the other hand, if the collar is too loose, your pup could slip out of it.¹

Martingale collars

The martingale is made of material with a metal ring on each end. There’s an additional section of material that makes a loop through the metal rings so that if your dog tries to back out of it, the collar will tighten around their neck.¹

• Pros. This option is ideal for breeds with slim necks — like greyhounds, whippets or other sighthounds — that are prone to slipping out of collars. It’s also a very useful (and humane) collar for dogs who are extra nervous or skittish on walks and may try to slip out of their collar.¹
• Cons. This collar needs to be properly adjusted so that it fits the size of your dog’s neck and doesn’t choke them.¹

Head collars

The head collar is comprised of two loops: one that goes around your dog’s neck and sits behind the ears, and another that goes around your dog’s muzzle. It's designed to gently steer your dog in the right direction.¹

• Pros. A head collar offers greater control for dogs that pull excessively. It doesn’t stop your dog from opening their mouth or restrict their breathing.¹
• Cons. It may take time, patience and training for your dog to get used to it. Jerking or pulling could cause injury.¹

Prong, pinch or choke collars

All three of these collars are designed to inflict discomfort at the very least and, at the very most, pain on your dog. The choke chain is made of metal links that slide to cinch when your dog pulls, while the prong or pinch collar includes a ring of prongs with blunt points.¹

• Pros. They get the dog's attention.¹
• Cons. While they get the dog's attention, they may do so in an inhumane way that can cause harm and may even lead to aggression. Unlike the martingale, these collars tighten indefinitely, making them easy to misuse and easy to injure your dog.¹

Shock collars

Also often misused, shock collars use an electric current that passes through metal contact points that touch your dog’s neck to correct behavior. The signal can range from a mild buzz to a painful shock.¹

• Pros. If the collar has a vibration feature instead of using electric current, it can be a helpful (and humane) way to train and/or get the attention of a deaf dog.¹
• Cons. When misused, a shock collar can actually cause more fear, anxiety and aggression. The signal can cause a painful shock.¹

GPS collars

If you have an escape artist, a GPS collar could be a high-tech solution to give you peace of mind.¹

• Pros. It can help you easily pinpoint your pup’s location if they get out of the house or yard.¹
• Cons. The collar relies on satellites and battery life, so you must keep the batteries charged and live in an area with a reliable satellite signal.¹

Specialty collars

There are a variety of other collars for specific purposes, including flea collars for pest prevention, LED or reflective collars for visibility during nighttime walks and calming collars for anxious pups.³

• Pros. They have a variety of useful purposes.
• Cons. Some require your pet to wear the specialty collar plus an identification collar, which may not be comfortable for all dogs.

Breed, Size and Age Considerations When Choosing a Dog Collar

When choosing a collar, you’ll also want to take into account your dog’s breed, size and age:

• Large breeds (e.g., Labrador retriever, German shepherd dog) may require more durable, heavy-duty collars that are wider and designed with thicker materials.⁴
• Small breeds (e.g., Chihuahua, dachshund) may need lightweight, narrow collars to avoid strain on delicate necks.⁴
• Toy breeds (e.g., Pomeranian, Yorkshire terrier) have especially sensitive skin and necks, so look for soft padded collars that offer extra comfort.³
• Short-nosed breeds (e.g., bulldog, pug) may benefit from a harness instead of a collar to prevent breathing issues.⁴
• Thick-necked breeds (e.g., mastiff, Siberian husky) can benefit from an adjustable collar with added strength to help ensure a secure fit and durability.
• Puppies. Save money as your puppy grows by choosing a lightweight, adjustable collar that can grow with them.
• Senior dogs. Minimize irritation and maximize comfort for your senior dog with a padded collar.

Types of Collar Materials and Clasps

Most collars on the market today are made out of one of three kinds of materials:³

• Nylon. Affordable, lightweight and durable; good for many dogs but particularly helpful if you have a growing puppy and will need to buy multiple collars
• Leather. Stylish and long-lasting, but chewable and more expensive
• Neoprene or biothane. Waterproof and easy to clean; ideal for outdoor adventurers

There are three different clasp options:

• Metal clasps. Durable and reliable for larger or active dogs, but heavier and prone to rust over time
• Plastic clasps. Lightweight and ideal for smaller breeds, but less sturdy under strain
• Breakaway clasps. Include a safety feature that releases under pressure²

How a Dog Collar Should Fit

Regardless of the type of collar you choose, it should fit properly to prevent discomfort, choking or injury. Many collars come in sizes that range from extra-small to extra-large and will have a size chart on the back for how to determine the best size based on your dog’s neck measurements. If you don’t have a string or soft measuring tape to measure your dog’s neck on your own, you can always take them to the store with you and try on different sizes.³

A good rule of thumb is the two-finger rule: You should be able to slide two fingers under your dog’s collar. If you can’t, it’s too tight. If you can slide more than two fingers, it’s too loose.³

Signs your dog's collar does not fit correctly

If you see any of the following signs, your dog’s collar may not be fitted properly:⁵

• Behavior changes
• Chafing
• Hair loss
• Licking or biting
• Odor or discharge
• Pain or discomfort
• Redness or irritation
• Scratches or sores

Dog Collar vs. Harness: Which Should You Choose?

Collars can be a great choice for well-behaved dogs, but what if you're training a puppy or your dog is still learning to heel? Maybe you enjoy outdoor adventures like summer hikes or winter skijoring. Or perhaps your dog has special needs, like a brachycephalic breed with a shortened skull and flat face. In these cases, a collar might not be the best option, and exploring alternatives could make all the difference in your dog's comfort and safety.

Find the Collar That's Just Right for Your Dog

Choosing the right collar is important to keep your dog safe, comfortable and well-behaved. By understanding how collars fit, what materials and clasps to consider and when a harness might be a better choice, you can confidently select the right gear to support your dog’s health and lifestyle.

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Author Bio

Abbie Mood is a freelance writer with more than 15 years of experience. She has worked with clients of all sizes to create compelling content and she has written for the American Kennel Club, Marriott Bonvoy, Women’s Health Online, Headspace and more.