Choosing a dog collar might seem fairly straightforward until you start looking at the options. Different widths, materials, fastenings, standard collars, martingales, puppy collars… suddenly there’s rather more to think about than you expected.
At Barkley and Fetch, we've been designing and making dog collars in our UK workshop since 2016. With a background in technical garment design, I approach dog collars in much the same way I would any well-designed product: fit, construction, materials and purpose all matter.
So, how do you choose the right collar for your dog?
What Should You Look for in a Good Dog Collar?
For an everyday collar, I'd look for four main things:
Comfort – it should sit comfortably around your dog's neck without restricting movement.
Fit – the collar needs to be secure enough that your dog can't slip out of it, but never uncomfortably tight.
Construction – look at what's underneath the pretty fabric too. Strong webbing, secure stitching and good-quality hardware all matter.
Suitability – a tiny puppy and a large Greyhound don't necessarily need the same style or width of collar.
Style matters too, of course. Your dog has to wear it, but you have to look at it every day!
How Should a Dog Collar Fit?
A collar shouldn't be so loose that your dog can back out of it, but it shouldn't press tightly against the neck either.
As a general guide, you should be able to comfortably fit two fingers between your dog's collar and neck.
Measure around the part of the neck where the collar will naturally sit and use that measurement when checking the manufacturer's size guide rather than simply assuming your dog is a Small, Medium or Large.
Remember that fit can change. Puppies grow remarkably quickly, while adult dogs can gain or lose weight and their coat can change throughout the year. Check the fit regularly rather than assuming that once you've adjusted a collar, it will stay right forever.
What Width Dog Collar Should I Choose?
Collar width is often treated as purely a style choice, but proportion and comfort matter too.
A narrower collar is generally lighter and can be more comfortable and less restrictive on a very small dog or a dog with a short neck.
A wider collar spreads pressure over a greater surface area and can work particularly well for larger dogs and breeds with long necks.
This is one reason wide collars are so popular with sighthounds such as Greyhounds, Lurchers and Whippets. They can provide more support across a long, slender neck as well as looking beautifully proportioned.
Don't simply choose the widest collar available because you have a big dog, though. Look at your individual dog's neck length, build and comfort.
Standard Dog Collar or Martingale Collar?
For most dogs, a well-fitting adjustable standard collar is a good everyday choice.
However, some dogs have a knack for reversing out of ordinary collars. This is particularly common with sighthounds, whose heads can be little wider than their necks.
A martingale collar has a main collar loop and a smaller control loop. When tension is applied to the lead, the collar tightens to a predetermined point, helping to prevent the dog from slipping out.
Martingales can therefore be useful for Greyhounds, Whippets, Lurchers and other narrow-headed breeds, as well as some nervous dogs or determined escape artists.
They need to be fitted correctly and shouldn't be used as choke collars or correction devices. Because of their tightening action, we also don't recommend leaving a dog unattended while wearing one.
What Collar Is Best for a Puppy?
For a puppy, I'd prioritise lightweight, comfortable and adjustable.
Puppies grow quickly, so check the fit frequently. A collar that fitted beautifully a fortnight ago may already need adjusting.
There's little point putting an unnecessarily heavy or wide collar on a tiny puppy. Start with something proportionate to their neck and gradually move into a larger or wider collar as they grow.
It's also worth getting your puppy accustomed to wearing a collar from an early age. Introduce it positively and check regularly that it isn't rubbing or becoming too tight.
Fabric or Webbing Dog Collar?
Both can be excellent choices; it depends on what you want from the collar.
A fabric dog collar allows much more choice of pattern and texture. At Barkley and Fetch, our fabric collars use an outer decorative fabric combined with reinforced webbing, so the appearance of the collar isn't doing all the structural work.
This means we can use tartans, florals, checks and seasonal fabrics while retaining a strong webbing construction underneath.
A webbing collar is a great practical alternative, particularly if you prefer something simple, lightweight or easy to look after.
Whatever material you choose, look beyond the surface. The quality of the webbing, stitching, buckle, adjuster and D-ring are just as important as the fabric you can see.
Does My Dog Need a Collar if They Wear a Harness?
Yes. In the UK, dogs in public places are generally required to wear a collar carrying the legally required identification, even if they're being walked on a harness.
A harness and collar also perform different jobs.
For some dogs, particularly strong pullers or dogs where pressure around the neck isn't appropriate, attaching the lead to a well-fitting harness may be preferable.
That doesn't make the collar redundant. It can still carry your dog's ID tag, and you can choose to walk with the lead attached to the harness rather than the collar.
Some owners also use a safety link between the harness and collar for additional security.
What Makes a Well-Made Dog Collar?
This is the part I'm naturally rather particular about.
A dog collar is a piece of equipment, not simply a fashion accessory.
When assessing one, I'd look at:
- The strength and quality of the webbing
- How securely the layers are stitched together
- The quality of the buckle and adjuster
- Whether the D-ring is strong and securely attached
- Whether the edges and construction are comfortable against the dog
- Whether the collar adjusts easily but stays at the chosen size
- Whether the width and weight are appropriate for the dog
At Barkley and Fetch, our collars are designed, cut and sewn by our own team in our workshop in Marple, Greater Manchester. Making them ourselves gives us control over the materials, construction and finish rather than simply selecting a finished collar from a wholesaler.
Should I Choose a Handmade Dog Collar?
Being handmade doesn't automatically make something better – how it is made still matters.
But buying from a genuine maker gives you some advantages.
We can explain exactly how our collars are constructed because we're the people making them. We can produce in smaller quantities, work with a much wider variety of fabrics and, in many cases, help when a dog falls outside standard sizing.
It also means the person designing the product understands how it is actually manufactured.
For us, that's an important part of what a handmade dog collar should mean.
Which Dog Collar Is Right for My Dog?
There's no single collar that's best for every dog.
For a typical adult dog, a standard adjustable collar is often the natural starting point.
For a puppy, choose something lightweight, appropriately narrow and adjustable, and check the fit frequently.
For a Greyhound, Whippet, Lurcher or another narrow-headed dog, consider a wider collar or properly fitted martingale.
For a dog that has previously backed out of a standard collar, a martingale may offer additional security when correctly fitted.
For a strong puller, consider whether attaching the lead to a suitable harness would be more appropriate rather than relying on the collar to manage pulling.
And for any dog, choose a collar that's comfortable, well constructed and correctly fitted.
The prettiest collar in the world isn't the right collar if it doesn't fit properly.
Handmade Dog Collars from Barkley and Fetch
Barkley and Fetch has been designing and making dog accessories in Britain since 2016. Our dog collars are handmade by our own team in Marple, Greater Manchester, with a choice of standard, wide, puppy and martingale styles.
We believe a dog collar can be practical, well made and something you enjoy choosing for your dog.
After all, dogs may not care whether they're wearing tartan or leopard print – but fortunately, we get a say too.