A dog collar needs to be comfortable, but it also needs to be secure. Too tight and it can rub or cause discomfort; too loose and there's a risk your dog could slip out of it.
Getting the fit right starts with something very simple: measuring your dog's actual neck rather than guessing their collar size.
At Barkley and Fetch, we've been designing and making dog collars in our UK workshop since 2016. We make collars in a wide range of sizes and styles and can also accommodate many non-standard sizing requests, so we know that dogs – rather inconveniently – don't always conform to a neat Small, Medium or Large.
Here's how to get the right fit.
How Tight Should a Dog Collar Be?
For a standard everyday dog collar, you want a fit that's snug and secure without being tight.
A commonly used guide is the two-finger rule: when the collar is fastened, you should be able to comfortably slide two fingers between the collar and your dog's neck.
It shouldn't be hanging loosely around the neck, but neither should you have to force your fingers underneath it.
Most importantly, look at your individual dog. The collar should sit comfortably without restricting movement, pressing into the neck or causing rubbing.
How to Measure Your Dog's Neck for a Collar
Use a soft fabric tape measure and measure around your dog's neck where the collar will naturally sit.
Keep the tape comfortably against the neck without pulling it tight.
Make a note of the measurement and compare it with the size range shown on the collar you're considering.
If you don't have a soft tape measure, use a piece of string or ribbon around your dog's neck, mark where the ends meet and then measure it against a ruler or straight tape measure.
Don't Measure Your Dog's Old Collar
Where possible, measure your dog rather than an existing collar.
Different collar designs and manufacturers measure their products differently, so measuring an old collar and assuming the same measurement will apply to a new one can result in the wrong size.
A direct neck measurement gives you a much more useful starting point.
What If My Dog Is Between Collar Sizes?
If your dog's neck measurement sits very close to the top or bottom of a size range, look at the adjustment available on the collar.
Ideally, you don't want a new collar already adjusted to its absolute maximum or minimum.
Having some adjustment in either direction gives you flexibility for changes in weight, coat thickness and, in younger dogs, growth.
If you're unsure which size to choose, ask the maker or retailer before ordering.
Because we make Barkley and Fetch collars ourselves, we can also help with many unusual sizing requirements rather than trying to squeeze every dog into a standard size chart.
How Do I Know If My Dog's Collar Is Too Tight?
Signs that a collar may be too tight include:
-
Difficulty comfortably sliding your fingers underneath it
-
An obvious indentation around the neck
-
Rubbing, irritation or hair loss underneath the collar
-
Your dog repeatedly scratching at or trying to remove the collar
-
Discomfort when the collar is touched or moved
A collar shouldn't leave your dog looking or behaving uncomfortable.
If you're concerned about irritation, pain, breathing or a skin problem around your dog's neck, remove the collar where safe to do so and seek appropriate veterinary advice.
How Do I Know If a Dog Collar Is Too Loose?
A loose collar creates a different problem: your dog may be able to slip out of it.
Check whether the collar can easily slide over the widest part of your dog's head when fastened.
This is particularly important with dogs whose heads aren't significantly wider than their necks.
If your dog has previously reversed or backed out of a standard collar, simply tightening an ordinary collar excessively isn't the answer. A correctly fitted martingale collar or suitable harness may be a better option depending on the dog. How to choose the right dog collar.
How Often Should I Check My Dog's Collar Fit?
It's worth making collar fit part of your normal routine.
For a healthy adult dog whose size remains fairly consistent, check periodically and whenever you notice a change in weight or coat.
Some breeds develop a considerably thicker winter coat and then shed it again in warmer weather, which can change how a collar fits.
If your dog has been groomed or clipped, check the collar afterwards too. Removing a lot of coat can make a previously well-fitting collar surprisingly loose.
How Often Should I Check a Puppy's Collar?
Very frequently.
Puppies can grow remarkably quickly, and a collar that fitted correctly a short time ago can become too tight.
Check that you can still comfortably fit your fingers underneath the collar and adjust it as your puppy grows.
A puppy collar should also be proportionate to the dog. There's little benefit in putting a heavy, very wide adult collar onto a tiny puppy simply because they'll eventually grow into it.
Start with something lightweight and comfortable and move into a larger collar when needed.
Does Collar Width Affect Fit?
Yes. Width isn't purely decorative.
A very wide collar may overwhelm a tiny or short-necked dog, while a very narrow collar may not be the most comfortable or proportionate choice for a large dog or a breed with a long, slender neck.
Wide collars are particularly popular for breeds such as Greyhounds, Lurchers and Whippets, where spreading pressure across a larger area of the neck can be beneficial.
The best width depends on your dog's size, build, neck length and how the collar will be used.
How Should a Martingale Collar Fit?
A martingale collar needs to be measured and fitted differently from a standard adjustable collar because it includes a control loop that tightens when tension is applied.
It should tighten enough to help prevent your dog slipping out, but it should never tighten indefinitely like a choke collar.
The two sides of the control loop should not completely meet when tension is applied. There should still be a small gap so the collar cannot continue tightening around the dog's neck.
Correct sizing is particularly important with martingales, so always follow the measuring instructions provided for the particular collar you're buying.
We've written a separate guide explaining how martingale collars work, who they're suitable for and how they should be used safely.
Should I Measure Under My Dog's Fur?
You don't need to squash down or pull apart a normal coat to measure the bare neck.
Measure around the dog where the collar will actually sit, with the tape lying naturally against the coat.
For dogs with particularly thick or long coats, remember that seasonal grooming and shedding can affect collar fit, so check it regularly.
What If Standard Dog Collar Sizes Don't Fit My Dog?
This is more common than you might think.
Dogs come in an enormous variety of shapes and sizes, and breed alone isn't a reliable way of choosing a collar.
If your dog has an unusually small, large or proportioned neck, look for a manufacturer that offers additional sizing or made-to-measure options.
At Barkley and Fetch, our collars are designed, cut and sewn in our own workshop in Marple, Greater Manchester. Because we're the people actually making them, we're able to accommodate many custom sizing requests.
If you're unsure, measure your dog's neck and contact us before ordering. We'd much rather help you choose the right size than have you end up with a collar that doesn't fit.
Dog Collar Fit – Frequently Asked Questions
How many fingers should fit under a dog's collar?
As a general guide for a standard collar, you should be able to comfortably slide two fingers between the collar and your dog's neck. This is a useful starting point, but always consider the individual dog's build and the style of collar.
Should a dog collar be loose or tight?
Neither. It should be comfortably snug: secure enough that your dog cannot easily slip out, without pressing tightly against the neck.
Where should a dog collar sit?
A standard collar should sit naturally and comfortably around your dog's neck rather than hanging loosely or pressing tightly against the throat.
Can a dog's collar become too tight as they grow?
Yes, particularly with puppies. Check a growing dog's collar frequently and adjust or replace it as necessary.
Should I measure my dog's neck or their old collar?
Measure your dog's neck. Collar measurements and construction can vary between manufacturers, so a direct neck measurement is the most useful information when choosing a size.
Can Barkley and Fetch make a custom-sized dog collar?
In many cases, yes. Because Barkley and Fetch collars are handmade in our own UK workshop, we can accommodate many non-standard sizing requests. Contact us with your dog's neck measurement before ordering and we'll let you know what we can make.
Finding the Right Size Barkley and Fetch Dog Collar
You'll find sizing information on our individual collar listings. Always measure your dog's neck before ordering and compare that measurement with the size range for the collar you've chosen.
If you're between sizes, have an unusually shaped dog or simply aren't sure, please get in touch.
After ten years of making collars for dogs of all shapes and sizes, we're quite used to dogs refusing to cooperate with standard size charts.