Congratulations on your new fluffy family member! Now that you have your new puppy, you're probably ready to buy them their first, fashionable collar. But where do you start? What type of collar is best for a puppy? There's a lot to consider but fear not, we are here to help! Here's our guide on how to pick the perfect collar for your new four-legged friend...
Collar Material
One of the most important factors to consider is the material that your puppy's new collar will be made from. There are a lot of options available when it comes to dog collars, including cotton, nylon, canvas, leather, cork and many more. For a puppy, it is best to choose a material that is durable but also comfortable. Your four-legged friend will be getting used to wearing a collar and so it is important to pick something that won't irritate them. We love cotton for this reason, as it is nice and comfortable next to your pups delicate skin but is also robust and durable enough to survive an energetic puppy!
It's also important to consider the material and quality of the hardware and closures on your puppy's collar. You can to be sure that your puppy is safe and secure in their new collar, so always look out for a collar with high-quality hardware. Solid metal hardware is always a great choice as this will be super strong and able to withstand anything your puppy throws at it. However, metal buckles aren't always the most practical if you have an impatient or wiggly pup. In this case, look for collars with high-quality plastic quick release buckles. These styles of collars are far easier to take on and off and will still be strong and durable. Avoid collars made with cheap, thin plastic buckles as these will be susceptible to cracking and brittleness over time.
When choosing the material for your pups new collar, it is important to consider their lifestyle and daily activities. Will your puppy be going to daycare? In this case an easy to take on and off collar would be best suited for them. Will they be spending a lot of time in water? If this is the case, avoid leather collars as moisture will lead the leather to deteriorate faster.
Types of Collars
When choosing the style of collar for your puppy's collar, try to keep in mind their behaviours and needs. Different collars are more appropriate for different breeds and purposes. You should take into account your puppy's anatomy as well as their behaviours and lifestyle. Here are some options for your new puppy.
This is the most standard style of collar that is popular and widely available. They will typically be made of a soft material, sometimes leather, and have either a metal buckle or plastic clip fastener. Flat collars are highly recommended mostly because of the range of sizes and availability. They are a secure style of collar for most dog breeds and are safe for growing pups. Our classic dog collars are made for daily wear, with reinforced stitching, secure metal hardware, and tough inner webbing. Finished with luxury vegetable tanned leather in a complimentary colour, each collar is handmade from start to finish here in the UK. Available in all of our exclusive prints.
Also a flat collar style, adjustable collars have a greater size range in one product. This style of collar is easy to adapt for the perfect fit and will grow alongside your puppy. The quick release buckle makes it easy to put on and take off and the leather-free design means it is okay to get wet. Featuring reinforced stitching, secure metal hardware, and tough inner webbing. These collars are softer, more lightweight and easy to clean. Our preferred choice for a pups first collar.
If you have a sighthound breed such as a saluki, whippet, greyhound, iggy, lurcher or irish wolfhound, you must get them a hound-specific collar. Sighthound collars are wider in design, which is important to protect their delicate neck and fine skin. You should not put a traditional flat collar onto a sighthound as this can cause them serious injury. Similarly, you should never put a hound collar on a dog that does not need one. These collars are especially dangerous for brachycephalic dog breeds such as pugs, french bulldogs, boxers and shih tzus due to their restricted breathing. The fishtail design of our hound collars prevents your pup from slipping out, and each collar is crafted using high-quality leather that contours to your dog overtime.
Step-in dog harnesses are a great option for pups who pull or breeds that are best to not wear collars. Highly recommended for brachycephalic dog breeds such as pugs, french bulldogs, boxers and shih tzus but also an excellent option for other breeds. Harnesses give you greater control and can be a safer option whilst training your puppy. Our cleverly crafted dog harness is popular for its anti-escape technology. The multi-strap design and lightly padded chest plate keeps your dog secure in their harness. Each strap can be adjusted independently, so you can ensure the safety of your pet. The lightly padded chest plate is also ideal for dogs who pull, as there is no pressure on put on their neck.
Sizing and Fit
When fitting your puppy’s new collar or harness, the fit is vital not only for their comfort but also for safety reasons. When your puppy is wearing their collar or harness, you should be able to fit two fingers between them and the collar or harness. This ensures that if they pull, then the collar or harness won’t constrict too tightly, causing a possible injury. It is important to check the fit of your puppy's collar or harness regularly (we recommend every couple of months minimum) as they grow quickly and may need adjustments to be made.
Questions to Ask Yourself
- How big will my puppy get? This question is vital when it comes to making a decision about your puppy's first collar. This will help to decide if you need an adjustable collar, a harness or a classic collar style, depending on the breed of dog and how big they’re expected to be as an adult.
- What activities does my puppy do? Are you walking your puppy on or off lead? Will your puppy be swimming a lot? All of these factors will help to decide which collar is best.
- Is my puppy getting dirty often? This is going to have an impact on the material you choose for their collar. If your pup stays inside and stays clean, you can pick pretty much any material, but if they’re out and getting messy, you may need something that is easier to clean.
- Is my puppy prone to escaping? If this is a question you’re asking yourself, or if you know that your puppy’s breed is prone to escaping collars, it’s probably best to purchase a harness.
- Does my puppy run a high risk of neck injuries? Check with your vet because some small dog breeds (some large, too) run a higher risk of injury when pulling. This may lead you away from a traditional collar until they are fully grown.