Every dog needs a good collar! Dog collars are crucial for taking your canine companion on a walk and keeping them safe wherever they are. Of course, some dog collars are undoubtedly better than others.
If you’re trying to find the best dog collar possible, keep these things in mind:
- What dog breeds is the collar meant for? Large dogs? Medium-sized dogs? Or small dogs? The kind of breed a collar is meant for will determine whether it’s a perfect fit for your dog’s neck size.
- What are the material and color options? A range of different options when it comes to materials and colors can allow you to match the collar with your dog’s leash.
- Is it a flat collar or one with raised sections for easy clipping? Your furry friend might prefer one or the other! Flat collars work for dogs that know how to walk on a leash without pulling.
- Can the dog collar be customized with your pet’s name or phone number? If not, there should be a ring for dog ID tags.
- Does the collar have a quick-release buckle? These plastic buckles are great for puppies that may pull too hard on the leash attachment.
- What material is the collar made of? Leather dog collars look great, but softer nylon collars are more common.
Let’s break down the 10 best dog walking collars available.
Best for Color Variety: Blueberry Pet Essentials Classic Collar
Key specs: Four sizes
The Blueberry Pet Essentials Classic Collar is one of the best dog collars of 2023 for one significant reason, or rather, several: color variety.
Pros
You can pick up this collar in colors ranging from red to turquoise to purple to green to yellow and so much more. It’s available in four sizes, as well, so these collars should fit any dog or breed.
The collar is made of high-density nylon webbing, and the buckles are made of eco-friendly plastic. Add to that a steel D-ring, and it’s a great one-size-fits-all collar suitable for any dog and pet parent.
Cons
There aren’t any extra bells and whistles with this dog collar, and you may find that it is a little tight if you have a larger dog breed.
Best for Comfortable Security: Petsafe Martingale Collar
Key specs: Four sizes
The Petsafe Martingale Collar is another top choice, particularly for pet parents concerned their dogs may escape from their collars and leashes when they aren’t watching.
Pros
This collar’s secure design features a Martingale loop, which prevents your dog from backing out of the collar and escaping — a major benefit when you are training your dog to wear a collar for the first time. The piece is made of high-quality, durable nylon and has a quick snap buckle so it’s easy to take on and off.
Cons
Though this collar has some serious benefits, it’s not the most comfortable on the market. Furthermore, there are only a handful of colors available, and you may not find the perfect shade for your pup.
Best for Extra Padding: Black Rhino Comfort Collar
Key specs: Four sizes
The Black Rhino Comfort Collar is a favorite of many pet parents because it’s incredibly comfortable, thanks to extra padding.
Pros
On the collar’s interior, you’ll find a padded layer of neoprene, which ensures that your dog will be comfortable and secure all day long. This prevents skin irritation, even if your dog is playing outside or in the water.
It’s heavy-duty but lightweight, and it comes with reflective stitching to help your dog stay visible in low-light environments, like night walks around the neighborhood.
Cons
Since it’s so padded, this collar might not be the best choice for smaller dogs or pups who tend to strain against their leashes often. Use your best judgment when deciding whether this is the best dog collar for your needs and your pooch.
Best for Night Visibility: JoyTale Reflective Dog Collar
Key specs: Five sizes
If you like to take your dog out when it is dark out, visibility is of key importance. That’s where the JoyTale Reflective Dog Collar comes in.
Pros
This high-quality, reflective dog collar is incredibly easy to see at night when light shines on it. It’s also made of nylon with neoprene padding on the back, so it’s soft and comfortable — an all-weather dog collar solution. With 12 colors in several sizes, it’s a great choice for all dog breeds and owner preferences. It even comes with an ABS plastic quick-release collar for added safety!
Cons
The collar isn’t supremely durable, so it may not be the best choice if your dog tends to pull on the leash or tug you along. In that case, you’ll want something built with more durability in mind. You’ll also need to keep the collar clean if you want it to retain its reflectivity.
Best for Glow in the Dark: Illumiseen LED Light Up Dog Collar
Key specs: Six sizes
The Illumiseen LED Light Up Dog Collar is another of the best dog collars, thanks to LED glow-in-the-dark functionality.
Pros
This buckle collar features bright LED lights, helping your dog stay safe and visible at night or in the early hours of the morning. The rechargeable battery gives five hours of illumination after just one hour of charging, and it’s available in six colors and six sizes.
Given all these facts, it’s arguably the best dog collar overall for canine companions and parents who like to enjoy the outdoors when the sun isn’t yet up.
Cons
The collar won’t be a great nighttime visibility solution if you forget to charge it. Plus, the collar’s LED bands can break over time, so you’ll want to use this carefully and make sure the lights work before any nighttime excursion.
Best for Durability: Tuff Pupper Classic Heavy Duty Dog Collar
Key specs: Four sizes
Tuff Pupper’s Classic Heavy Duty Dog Collar is another fantastic choice, thanks to its supreme durability.
Pros
This is one of the toughest dog collars overall, as it’s made with a sturdy metal buckle and a leather-like material that’s stronger than the real thing — and looks like it’s from a designer brand.
It’s available in a variety of sizes and a handful of colors and is totally waterproof, which can also help ward off odors. As if that wasn’t enough, if you have any issues within the first 30 days, you can get a replacement or refund. There’s also a lifetime manufacturer warranty against defects.
Cons
This standard dog collar has one main problem: it’s not super comfortable. Still, if your dog is used to wearing a collar and wears out other collar types, this could be the best pick purely because of how resilient it is.
Best for Puppy Safety: PetSafe KeepSafe Break-Away Collar, Prevent Collar Accidents for your Dog or Puppy
Key specs: Five sizes
Looking to make sure that your puppy is safe while wearing a collar? The KeepSafe Break-Away Collar is exactly what you’re looking for.
Pros
That’s because this safe, comfortable collar is specifically designed to break away and release if your puppy pulls a little too hard while on the leash. The buckle releases if pressure is applied in a certain way or if the collar gets snagged on something, then snaps back together.
There are also two metal D rings attached to the collar, so you can secure your dog while walking. It’s perfect for playtime and dog training, particularly if your pup comes from an energetic breed!
Cons
This collar is only available in a few colors. Safety is the primary concern, not fashion or other features. Still, it could be the best overall dog collar for puppies and new pet parents learning how to train a dog to walk properly on a leash.
Best for Specific Breeds: Extra Soft Martingale Dog Collar for Greyhound Saluki Whippet and Other Breeds
Key specs: Three sizes
Some dogs require special leashes for their own safety due to the shapes of their necks. The SGang Extra Martingale Dog Collar is a perfect choice for dog breeds like greyhounds, salukis, and whippets.
Pros
Those dog breeds have long, slender necks, so they need specific collars that attach to the right points of their bodies. This collar is made of polypropylene webbing and brocade fabric, and it’s designed with high-quality metal fittings. With a buckle closure, it’s the perfect choice for walking your dog if they are one of the above breeds. You’ll be able to rest assured that they are comfortable and safe when they are on a leash.
Cons
The downside is the extra effort you have to expend. Specifically, you need to measure your dog carefully before ordering your collar to make sure it fits perfectly. Still, that’s a very minor downside when it comes to the safety of your canine companion!
Best for Active Dogs: Mighty Paw Neoprene Padded Dog Collar, Reflective Running Dog Collar
Key specs: Four sizes
The Mighty Paw Neoprene Padded Dog Collar is a fantastic dog collar overall, particularly for active dogs that do plenty of running.
Pros
That’s because this neoprene dog collar is made of tough, durable material. It also comes with a reflective thread stitched along the length of the collar to boost visibility in low-light environments.
More importantly, this collar will resist outdoor elements and the momentum/tugging forces of playful, high-energy dogs, even as they push and pull on leashes or run around with abandon.
Cons
The collar is only available in a single color, gray, so it may not be your favorite choice if you are looking for a stylish accessory. The collar can also smell after a while, so be ready to wash it from time to time.
Best for Harness and Collar Set: WINSEE Dog Harness No Pull, Pet Harnesses with Dog Collar
Key specs: Four sizes
Winsee’s Dog Harness with Dog Collar is a fantastic pick because it’s a collar and harness set, so you have everything you need to take your dog on a walk except for a leash.
Pros
It’s easy to see who this would be perfect for. The set features reflective straps and adjustable fasteners so you can make sure it’s comfortable and safe for your pet, no matter their size or breed. Naturally, it’s choke-free, and it’s designed to keep your dog safe and secure even if they pull on the leash.
Cons
It’s a little pricier compared to a collar by itself, but not by much. Aside from that, many dogs don’t like to wear harnesses, and if your dog is one of those, buying the harness might be an ultimate waste of money.
The Bottom Line
Still not sure which type of dog collar is right for your canine? Consider their preferences and your own needs. The Mighty Paw Neoprene Padded Dog Collar is great if you have an active dog breed, for instance, or you could choose the KeepSafe Break-Away Collar as a training collar for a puppy. Whatever you pick, one of these dog collars should be just what you’re looking for!
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