I have certainly been in this situation where I am looking forward to my new best friend coming home and I am out buying everything he or she will need. OK, I have a smart new bed, new food bowls, more toys than they will ever play with and I need a nice lead and collar. Hmmm so what size collar is he ? Is there a dog collar sizing guide? How wide does it need to be ? What does it need to be made of ? Oh dear this is getting complicated.
So here are a few tips to help you make the right choice. There are hundreds to choose from on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.
A Dog Collar Should be a Snug Fit
When choosing the right collar you should ensure that two fingers fit snugly between the dog’s neck and their collar. You can measure by using a flexible soft tape measure or by using a piece of string and then putting it beside a ruler or tape measure.
XX SMALL (Up to 2.5 Kgs)
Common Breeds, Chihuahua and Teacup Yorkshire Terrier
Neck 15 – 20 Cms
Recommended Lead Width 8 mm
X SMALL (2.5 – 5 Kgs)
Neck 20 – 30 Cms
Recommended Lead Width 10 mm
SMALL (5 – 11 Kgs)
Neck 25 – 35 Cms
Recommended Lead Width 16 mm
MEDIUM (Up to 25 Kgs)
Neck 35 – 50 Cms
Recommended Lead Width 19 mm
LARGE (Up to 35 Kgs)
Neck 40 – 65 Cms
Recommended Lead Width 25mm and 2 ply for extra strength
X-LARGE (35 Kgs +)
Common Breeds, Mastiff, Saint Bernard, Great Dane
Neck 60 – 75 Cms
Recommended Lead Width 38 mm and 2 ply for extra strength
Collar Width
Not only should you be choosing the right length collar but also the correct width. There is no point in having a flimsy long thin collar on a large dog. Not only is it likely to break if he pulls but also it would cause a lot of pain and discomfort by cutting into its neck.
Recommended sizes are below.
X SMALL (2.5 – 5 Kgs)
Neck 20 – 30 Cms
Collar Width 20 mm
SMALL (5 – 11 Kgs)
Neck 25 – 35 Cms
Collar Width 20 mm
MEDIUM (Up to 25 Kgs)
Neck 35 – 50 Cms
Collar Width 25 – 40 mm
LARGE (Up to 35 Kgs)
Neck 40 – 65 Cms
Collar Width 25 – 40 mm
Measuring for Martingale Collars
If you own a Greyhound or similar breed you will need to measure three diameters to determine the correct size. Make sure you use a soft tape measure or piece of string and measure at points A, B and C.
A – This point needs to be adjustable so that it measures the largest part of the head so that a collar may be placed 
easily into position (C).
B – This shows the correct position of the Martingale when under pressure to restrain.
C – The neck size where the collar is relaxed.
The best places to buy one of these is either at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com.
Conclusion
So as you can see there is more to buying the correct collar and lead than just popping to your local pet store and buying any old thing.
If you have any comments or feedback please feel free to drop me a line.
David
This is great! I bookmarked this page so that I can use it as a reference. I am always buying new collars for my pups just because they get worn out and I like to change up their looks sometimes. But I always seem to get the wrong size and end up having to exchange them. So thanks for this guide!
This is great! I bookmarked this page so that I can use it as a reference. I am always buying new collars for my pups just because they get worn out and I like to change up their looks sometimes. But I always seem to get the wrong size and end up having to exchange them. So thanks for this guide!
Great post and I appreciate the sizing guide. One of my biggest fears is that my dog’s collar is too tight and hurts him, so we leave it pretty loose most of the time, but one time he actually slipped out of it and ran off which was pretty scary! We tightened the collar after that (still not too tight) but tight enough he couldn’t slip out. However it won’t stay put so we are definitely on the hunt for a snug fitting collar. He’s about 45 pounds, medium sized dog. Thanks for this.
Hey there. Thanks for your comment. The usual guide is that you can fit two fingers snugly between the collar and your loved ones neck. This is not the case with a Greyhound or similar breeds where a Martingale Collar is a more appropriate fit. If your dog is a similar breed or shape that might be the case. If you are still unsure I would take him to a pet store where they have experts who can see your dog and advise. I hope this helps.
Great post and I appreciate the sizing guide. One of my biggest fears is that my dog’s collar is too tight and hurts him, so we leave it pretty loose most of the time, but one time he actually slipped out of it and ran off which was pretty scary! We tightened the collar after that (still not too tight) but tight enough he couldn’t slip out. However it won’t stay put so we are definitely on the hunt for a snug fitting collar. He’s about 45 pounds, medium sized dog. Thanks for this.
Hey there. Thanks for your comment. The usual guide is that you can fit two fingers snugly between the collar and your loved ones neck. This is not the case with a Greyhound or similar breeds where a Martingale Collar is a more appropriate fit. If your dog is a similar breed or shape that might be the case. If you are still unsure I would take him to a pet store where they have experts who can see your dog and advise. I hope this helps.
What an informative webpage! Being a dog owner of 4 beautiful dogs i have found these guidelines and tips extremely useful in helping me purchasing the most adequate collars and leads for my furbabies.
Looking forward to reading more interesting tips in the near future!????
Hi Larraine thank you for your positive comment and I am so pleased your furbabies are safe and sound in their Collars. I am in the process of producing plenty of more useful and interesting tips,and will be publishing them in the near future.
What an informative webpage! Being a dog owner of 4 beautiful dogs i have found these guidelines and tips extremely useful in helping me purchasing the most adequate collars and leads for my furbabies.
Looking forward to reading more interesting tips in the near future!????
Hi Larraine thank you for your positive comment and I am so pleased your furbabies are safe and sound in their Collars. I am in the process of producing plenty of more useful and interesting tips,and will be publishing them in the near future.