The Best Dog Collars Reviewed: Cool & Comfortable For Your Pup

Written by Laura Ortega

One of the first things that you’ll buy for a new dog is a dog collar. Though you’ll buy many over the course of your dog’s life, figuring out exactly what your dog needs isn’t always as easy as most would like. Given the wide range of dog collars out there, it makes sense that many buyers would get confused. Fortunately, we’re here to help to make sure that you get exactly what you need.

Our goal is to help you not only find the perfect dog collar for your dog but also to help you to find the right place to buy that collar. Through extensive research, we’ve managed to track down some of the best collars on the market, with an eye towards the factors that help ensure that your dog will get exactly what he or she needs no matter what stage of life in which your dog happens to be. 

Best Dog Collars In 2021

It’s always important to note that there’s no single ‘best’ dog collar out there. Every pup has his or her specific needs, so you need to find the collar that works specifically for your dog. We’ve gathered together some of the best, each of which has features that might be perfect for your four-legged friend.

Frisco Patterned Nylon Dog Collar

Many dog owners don’t just see dog collars as a simple tool. Instead, they see the collar like a dog’s daily outfit, something that should speak to both the dog and the owner’s personality. While there are plenty of fashion collars out there, many dog owners are also concerned about safety. After all, a good-looking collar for dogs can only do so much if it slips off. The obvious goal, then, should be to find a collar that not only looks the best but that works just as well. Fortunately, collars like this one from Frisco really do combine the best aesthetics with excellent functionality – which is why we’ve placed it at the top of our list of today’s best dog collars.

The fashion side is what’s going to grab most eyes, so it’s nice to note that this is an excellent-looking collar. The look is accomplished with ribbon sewn onto nylon, providing plenty of strength as well as a great look. Easy to clean with basic detergent and a bit of handwashing, this is the kind of collar that’s going to make your dog look their best whenever he or she is out on a walk. Even better, you can combine this collar with a number of different Frisco leashes in order to really help your dog make a style statement while you are out on a walk. 

You don’t have to worry about safety with this fashion collar, though. The nylon design is not only quite strong, but it’s very comfortable for your dog. The collar comes designed with enough give that a growing puppy can wear the leash without stress but it’s still strong enough that your dog won’t be able to break the leash when he or she gets too excited. The leash does a remarkable job of meeting your puppy’s needs without looking like it’s too much of a utility product, allowing you to feel great about how your dog looks without making any compromises. 

PetSafe Premier Quick Snap Nylon Martingale Dog Collar

Your pup’s collar is a part of its daily life. Most dogs grow to ignore their collars after a bit of time, ignoring them no matter how long the collar happens to be on. Unfortunately, though, there are some dogs – and especially puppies – that really fight against their collars. These dogs slip them off at the first chance, not only putting them in danger but causing their owners to run afoul of leash laws. If you have a puppy that’s still learning how to deal with a collar, you might want to give these excellent collars for dogs from PetSafe a try. 

The fit is the key here, as it is what keeps your dog from being able to easily get out of the martingale collar. Though it features the same type of quick-snap clasp that is present in most collars, it has a unique type of nylon design that makes it harder for a puppy to slip out. Unlike many collars, it stretches just enough to deal with your dog while he or she grows without getting stretched out of shape. This makes it harder for the dog to worry the martingale collar off while still ensuring that it remains comfortable enough to keep your dog happy. 

This isn’t just a martingale collar for growing dogs, though. In fact, it’s a really good fit for both large dogs and small dogs, and really any pup that’s going to be expected to wear a collar most of the time. It’s designed to prevent matting and bald spots that come from constant wear and it’s also incredibly easy to use when you’re going out on a walk. This is a collar for dog owners as much as it is for dogs, and it should come as no surprise that many dog owners stick with this brand as their dogs get older. 

Blueberry Pet Classic Solid Nylon Dog Collar

Fashion can matter to many dog owners. While everyone wants a collar that keeps their dog safe, there are also many who really care about how their dogs look. This fantastic collar from Blueberry pet puts away the kind of drab colors that so often define dog gear in favor of something bright and splashy, a great option for those who want to brighten up their walks and who want to keep their dogs looking their best. Best of all, this collar does go the extra mile in ensuring that the collar is just as safe as any of its competitors. 

The first thing that you’re going to notice about this collar is the look. With its bright color, it absolutely stands out from the rest of the pack. On a purely aesthetic level, this collar is great – but even better, the bright collar will stand out in places like dog parks when your dog is running outside off-leash. The fashion collar is also one of the most owner-friendly on the market right now, as you can even through it in the washing machine to ensure that it continues to look bright even after a long day of play.

Looks are important but they are not everything. The best news is that this is still a collar that’s going to help keep your dog safe when out on a walk. It is very hard for dogs to slip off and the collar comes with a durable D-ring makes it very easy to ensure that your dog won’t be able to break away when he or she sees something interesting. In fact, this collar does an excellent job of allowing you to ensure that everything is attached properly so that user error doesn’t lead to a long chase when you decide to go outside. 

PetSafe Gentle Leader Nylon Dog Headcollar

There are many dogs that just don’t do well with common collars. Though the simple collar that goes around your dog’s neck is a staple of the dog gear industry, many vets and trainers note that more energetic dogs can be better served by something that goes around the dog’s head. Not only is this gentle leader from PetSafe a great tool for those who worry about their dogs’ health, but it’s one of the best tools for anyone who wants to gain a little more control over the actions of a dog that tends to jump around frequently. 

The dogs who most commonly benefit from this type of harness are those who tend to jump and pull. If your dog hasn’t yet learned that pulling on his or her leash leads to constriction around the throat or chest, your dog really can sustain damage from a more typical collar. This collar, on the other hand, moves that pressure to the snout and head – a small change in orientation that’s not going to interfere with your dog’s breathing but that will play a huge role in helping your dog learn how to stay calm when other people are around. 

While there are plenty of harnesses like this on the market, many people avoid them because they are harder to use and seem unpleasant for the dog. This one, however, is actually quite easy to use – the adjustable loop around your dog’s nose goes on easy and the rest of the harness uses a quick release so that you can get it on and off easily. The harness is even designed to be a little more comfortable for your dog than average, with a padded nose loop and a design that will help to keep your dog from choking even when he or she is going wild. 

GoTags Personalized Nylon Dog Collar

While dog collars do a lot to help your dog look great and to help keep them firmly on a leash, it’s important to remember that a good collar also functions as an important part of your dog’s identification. Your dog’s tags should go in his or her collar so that he or she can be identified if and when he or she runs off, but most dog owners also know that these tags tend to fall off quite easily. If you’re looking for another layer of safety, you might want to take a look at this personalized collar from GoTags. 

This collar makes it easier to identify your dog by moving the identifying information from a tag to the back of your dog’s collar. The collar has room for up to twenty-five embroidered characters, allowing you to put your dog’s name and your phone number on the collar. While this isn’t a replacement for your dog’s official tags or your dog’s shot records, it’s a great extra piece of identification that will allow you to feel safe knowing that anyone who finds your dog will know exactly where he or she belongs.

Of course, you don’t just want to rely on the kindness of strangers to bring your dog back to you thanks to the inclusion of your phone number. Instead, you’ll be happy to know that this is actually a very durable collar in its own right. It features a side-release buckle that’s very hard for your dog to break and a very durable D-ring that is unlikely to attach. It also features a soft nylon webbing material that is soft on your dog’s neck but that is also fairly unyielding if your dog pulls. Taken together, these features will help to keep your best four-legged friend by your side. 

Buckle-Down Vintage US Flag Polyester Seatbelt Buckle Dog Collar

What are you looking to express with your dog’s collar? If you want something that’s patriotic and fun without necessarily sacrificing any of the features that you want in a dog collar, you might find this collar from Buckle-Down to be a great fit. With a unique seatbelt-style buckle, it’s a unique collar that keeps your dog safe while still allowing you to show off your love for the U.S.A.

Design aside, the best selling point for this leash is the seatbelt-style buckle. Unlike most other leashes that use a simple push clip release, this one functions much more like the buckle that you would use in a car. That means that the leash tends to buckle far more easily and with less fuss, allowing you to get it on and off your dog quickly. The push-button release is also a fantastic choice for all of those dog owners who have ever had to fumble around trying to press two side buttons at once in order to get a leash off of an energetic dog. 

This does seem to be a dog collar that puts a lot of emphasis on safety. The collar is made of a high-quality polyester that is not only a strong deal with scratching but that won’t snap no matter how hard your dog pulls. The D-ring on the collar is also incredibly sturdy, helping you to feel comfortable that your dog isn’t going to break away no matter what he or she sees in the distance. If you’re looking for a very sturdy collar with a unique buckle, this might be the best product for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best dog collars?

There is no one dog collar that’s going to be the best collar for every dog. Because dogs come in so many different shapes, sizes, and temperaments, there’s always going to be a need for many different dog collars to meet their needs. If you’re looking for the best dog collar for your dog, though, you’re going to need to stop and think about what you’re looking for from that collar. Fortunately, that kind of information is discussed at length in the buying guide. 

What are the safest dog collars?

The safest dog collars, like the best dog collars, are always going to depend on the dog that is wearing the collar. Good collars do, however, tend to have a few things in common. They should be either padded or soft enough that they don’t cause irritation around the dog’s throat, they shouldn’t constrict the dog’s airways, and they shouldn’t cause the dog pain when he or she is stopped on a leash. Many point towards collars that make use of a snout loop and harness to take the pressure of the dog’s neck, but even traditional collars can be quite safe as long as they are designed with the safety of the dog in mind. It’s always a good idea to make sure that your dog’s collar fits properly so that you can get the maximum level of safety out of the product you use. 

Should dogs wear a collar all the time?

This is a bit of a controversial issue, as there are excellent reasons why your dog should always have a collar on and excellent reasons why your dog might need you to take its collar off. As a rule, you’re going to want to make sure that your dog has a collar on any time that he or she is outside and you can feel a little more comfortable keeping the collar off any time that your dog is in a situation where you can control where he or she goes. It’s best to let your dog out of his or her collar at night, but leaving it on probably won’t cause any kind of long-term damage as long as the collar fits properly and is designed correctly. 

Are leather collars better for dogs?

There’s really no data to show that real leather collars are any better or worse for dogs than any other collar. Real leather collars do have a tendency to rub on your dog’s neck if there is no padding, though, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on that potential issue. In general, it’s the overall security and comfort of a collar that matters more than the precise make of the collar, especially if you are just as worried about your pup being comfortable as you are about your dog getting loose and running off. 

Dog Collar Buying Guide

It’s natural to think that there’s one dog collar that can solve all of your problems, but there are so many different dogs out there that it’s almost impossible to find something that’s actually perfect for any animal. Instead, you need to look at all of the features available in dog collars and figure out which ones are the most important to you. Below are a handful of the features that most dog owners look for in their collars, ranging from those that are the most practical to those that have more to do with the aesthetics of dog ownership.

Fit

Fit can be broken down into two elements – how the collar is designed to fit and how it actually fits your dog. The actual design of the collar has to do with how it is meant to be placed on your dog. Is it a standard collar that goes around your dog’s neck, or is it a headcollar with a snout loop that takes the pressure off of your dog’s neck? You even need to compare these collars against harnesses so that you can figure out if you’re really getting the best potential fit for your dog.

The other element of fit has to do with how the collar actually fits on your specific dog. You should always get the right size for your dog’s neck, not necessarily his or her weight or something designed specifically for large dogs or small dogs. You want something that’s not going to be so loose that it slides off of your dog but not so tight that it makes it hard for your dog to breathe. If the collar doesn’t fit correctly, the rest of the factors here really won’t come into play. 

Construction

Construction tends to be centered around the materials of which the collar is made. While there are plenty of different materials in the world of collars, you need to do your due diligence to see how these materials are going to impact your dog. A leather dog collar can be a great choice for many, and it’s certainly heavy-duty, but it might not be the best fit for those dogs that have sensitive skin. Likewise, something like nylon is still heavy duty and could be good but it might rub against your dog’s skin too much and caused baldness or matting due to the nature of your dog’s fur.

You also want to take a look at construction so that you can figure out what to expect from the collar in general. Polyester or nylon tend to have a little more give than metal or leather, for example, which means that your dog should have less trouble breathing. Take a look to see if there is any padding in the areas that are likely to press up against your dog’s neck or throat as well, as this added bit of comfort can go a long way towards helping your dog stay happy while wearing the collar. Good, heavy-duty construction is easily one of the most important factors in determining the overall quality of a collar. 

Ease of Use

How easy is it going to be to get this particular on and off of your dog? This is something that’s hard to think about when you see the collar on the shelf, but it’s going to be one of the most important things you’ll deal with every day. If the collar is hard to put on or take off, there’s a good chance that you won’t be able to use it correctly. Even worse, collars that are too difficult to use have a better chance of failing when you need them the most.

The best way to figure out this factor is by looking at how the clasp is made. If it’s a simple clasp, you can check it out to see if it is easy to lock and unlock. Loops are a little more difficult, as keeping them in place is harder, and getting your dog to stay still can be a challenge. There are even products that have special kinds of easy-to-use buckles on the collar, which can make it easier to keep the collar on a more active pup. 

Durability

For many, every other factor in choosing a dog collar takes a back seat to figure out if the collar can actually stand up to their dogs. You might even want to choose a collar that has a lifetime warranty. A good collar needs to stay in one piece no matter what your pup does, which means that durability is always going to be very important. Durability should be broken into two separate pieces – how well the collar itself stays in one piece and who reliable the collar is when attached to a leash. The first is simple, as the materials will tell you whether or not the collar is going to hold up. A leather dog collar, for example, is usually going to be well-made. If the collar feels like you can break it with your hands, it simply isn’t going to last with your dog.

The second tends to come down to how the D-ring is attached. A D-ring that seems barely sewed into the collar is probably going to snap off relatively easily, while one that’s built into the collar itself will probably survive. Your goal should be to find something that’s not going to give as soon as your dog starts pulling so that you don’t have to worry about breakages every time that your dog gets excited – even if it has a lifetime warranty, you want to avoid problems of your dog running off into dangerous situations.

Style

Finally, you’ll want to think about the style of the collar. Though aesthetics (like a camouflage or studded collar) aren’t important to every dog owner, they do matter to some. It’s always fun to get a collar that matches your dog’s personality or looks good with a sweater, so don’t feel like you simply have to get something that’s utilitarian just because those are the collars that are proven to work. If you love a certain style of a leash, you might also want to check to see if that brand makes collars – there are plenty of great mix and match products out there for those who love to play around with pet fashion.