How To Choose the Right Dog Collar for Your Dog
Table of Contents
Start With How Your Dog Actually Lives
If you're new to the dog world, choosing a dog collar can feel like trying to order coffee in a new language. Martingale? ScruffTag? BioThane?
I've seen thousands of dog collars leave our shop over the last 20+ years. I've also been using and making dog collars since the mid-'90s, so I've seen what lasts, what fails and what works well for different dogs. The “best” collar isn't necessarily the most expensive one. It's the one that fits your dog, your dog's lifestyle and what you need the collar to do.
Here's how I think about choosing one.
Identification Comes First
Before we talk about materials, colors or hardware, we have to talk about identification. A collar's most important job is to speak for your dog when you aren't there. Dogs can't tell someone where they live or who to call, so I've always believed identification should come first.
Traditional hanging ID tags certainly do the job, but they can jingle, wear over time, fall off or get caught in things like heat vents, deck boards and crate wires. That's why I've always preferred identification that's built directly into the collar.
- ScruffTag®: This is our signature design, with the nameplate positioned on the back of the dog's neck—the scruff. It's silent and easy to read without having to reach under the dog's chin. The larger nameplate also gives us more room when you want several lines of identification information.
- Rivet-On NamePlate: This is the traditional approach I've used for years. The plate is permanently riveted directly to the collar strap, so there's nothing hanging from the collar to jingle or get caught on something. Simple, silent and dependable.
- Embroidery: Embroidering a phone number directly into nylon webbing makes it visible from farther away than a small nameplate. It's another silent option, although there's less room for information.
- Laser Engraving: This is one area where the process really matters. We use industrial fiber lasers that actually remove metal rather than simply marking the surface. The engraving becomes dark and easy to read, and because it's cut into the metal, it doesn't simply rub off with normal wear.
Match the Collar Material to Your Dog's Lifestyle
Just like you wouldn't wear a tuxedo to swim laps, leather probably isn't the best choice for a dog that's constantly in and out of the lake. Leather cleaners and conditioners can help repel water and prevent drying and cracking, but repeated soaking will eventually take its toll. The material you choose should match how your dog actually lives.
For Dogs That Love Water and Mud
If your dog thinks every puddle is a swimming pool—like my Lab, River, always did—BioThane® Beta strap is hard to beat. I've been making dog collars with BioThane since the mid-'90s and still haven't found anything I like better for dogs that spend a lot of time in water, mud and the outdoors.
BioThane Beta has a strong polyester webbing core with a waterproof coating. Unlike materials that absorb water, it doesn't stay wet or hold onto that “wet dog” smell. It's also extremely durable while remaining soft and flexible, which is a big reason I've continued using it all these years.
It's about as easy to maintain as a dog collar gets. Most of the time, just wipe it clean with a damp cloth and you're done.
BioThane was originally developed for demanding applications like horse tack, including harnesses and reins. That's actually a pretty good proving ground for a material we're going to trust around a dog.
For Puppies and Lightweight Everyday Wear
Nylon is sort of the T-shirt and jeans of the dog collar world. It's lightweight, soft, adjustable and available in just about every color imaginable. It's a particularly practical choice for growing puppies because you aren't putting a lot of weight or bulk around a small neck.
For many adult dogs, nylon also makes a perfectly good everyday collar. It's simple, comfortable and proven.
For Dogs That Wear Leather Well
There is nothing quite like a good leather dog collar after it has been worn for a while. At dogIDs, we use English Bridle leather because it's strong, durable and gets better as it breaks in. A new leather collar can feel fairly firm at first, but over time it softens and develops character much like a good baseball mitt.
Leather does require a little more care than BioThane or nylon, and as I mentioned above, it wouldn't be my first choice for a dog that's constantly swimming. But for everyday wear in relatively dry conditions, it's hard to beat the look and feel of good leather.
Choose the Right Collar Style
- Traditional Buckle: This works just like a belt buckle. It's simple, secure and a good choice for a collar that tends to stay on the dog most of the time.
- Quick Release Buckle: This is the familiar side-release “click” buckle. It's convenient if you take your dog's collar on and off frequently because it can be opened and closed quickly without readjusting the fit each time.
- Martingale Collar: A martingale can be a good choice for dogs that can back out of a conventional collar, particularly dogs whose heads aren't much wider than their necks. When properly fitted, the collar tightens to a limited point when tension is applied, helping prevent the dog from slipping out. Because of the way martingales work, proper fit is especially important. I generally think of them as a walking, training or control collar rather than something a dog needs to wear unattended around the house.
Getting the Fit Right
Even the right collar isn't going to work well if it doesn't fit properly. When measuring your dog's neck, I generally recommend leaving enough room to comfortably slide two fingers between the measuring tape and your dog's neck.
Use a flexible sewing tape if you have one, or a piece of string that you can measure afterward. Measure around the part of the neck where you actually want the collar to sit, because a dog's neck circumference can change quite a bit depending on where you measure.
If your measurement falls between two available collar sizes, I generally recommend going with the larger size as long as your measurement falls within its adjustment range. Also keep seasonal weight changes, coat thickness and growth in mind—especially with puppies.
After all these years of making collars, I still don't believe there is one “best” dog collar. The right one depends on the dog. Think about where your dog goes, what you do together, how the collar will be used and how you want your identification attached. Get those things right, and choosing the collar becomes a whole lot easier.
Whatever style you choose, make sure your dog's identification is easy to read and up to date. That's the part that matters most if the two of you ever become separated.
FAQs
What is the biggest advantage of a ScruffTag Collar?
For me, it's visibility. A ScruffTag has a larger nameplate positioned on the back of the dog's neck, so personalized contact information is easy to see and read. If someone finds your dog, they don't have to reach under the dog's chin to find a hanging tag or read an engraved buckle. They can often read the ScruffTag simply by standing over the dog, which makes it easier to quickly find your phone number.
Does the engraving wear off of the name plate over time?
Our fiber laser engraving actually removes metal rather than simply marking the surface, so it is extremely durable. Nameplates and ScruffTags also sit flush with the collar instead of dangling, which helps protect the engraving from constant rubbing and impact.
Stainless steel generally maintains the strongest contrast over time. Brass is softer and naturally develops a patina, so the contrast between the brass and the engraving can become less pronounced as it ages. If maximum long-term contrast is your priority, I generally recommend stainless steel.
Is embroidery a good long term identification solution?
Yes. We create the personalization with thousands of nylon thread stitches, so embroidery is a durable, permanent part of the collar rather than something hanging from it. The biggest thing to remember is visibility. Choose a thread color with strong contrast against the nylon webbing so your dog's personalized information is easy to read.
Which collar is best if my dog loves to swim, get muddy and roll in stinky stuff?
This is exactly where I prefer BioThane® Beta. It doesn't absorb water or odors, and mud and grime are usually easy to wipe or wash off. If your dog spends a lot of time swimming, getting muddy or finding things you'd really rather they didn't roll in, a waterproof BioThane collar is hard to beat.
Why do so many people still prefer leather collars so much?
There's just something about good leather. It starts out fairly firm, then softens and develops character as it's worn—much like a favorite baseball mitt or pair of leather boots. A well-broken-in English Bridle leather collar can be extremely comfortable and look better with age. It does require more care than BioThane or nylon, but for people who appreciate traditional leather, that's usually part of the appeal.
Personalized Waterproof ScruffTag Collar
$39.00
The Ultimate "Go-Anywhere" Silent ID Dog Collar Mud, lake water, salt water, pool water, rain, or snow—Our custom engraved Waterproof ScruffTag Personalized Dog Collar is built...… read more
Custom Embroidered Nylon Collar
$27.00
Custom Embroidered Nylon Webbing Dog Collar Your pooch can run, jump, play fetch, and lounge in a nylon dog collar from dogIDs. Choose from 18...… read more
English Bridle Leather Dog Collar with Name Plate Custom Engraved
$49.00
English Bridle Leather Standard Dog Collar with Personalized Name Plate The Mendota Leather Dog Collar with Personalized Nameplate is a rich brown leather dog collar...… read more
