The leash and collar is one of the most important tools you have. In most places, it's even required by law when your dog is outside. But there are many different types of collars, and the options can be overwhelming. How do you choose the right one for your dog?

There are many styles of dog collars to choose from depending on your dog's size and disposition, and your training need. For the majority of dogs, a traditional nylonor leather dog collar is sufficient. Other dog collars for specific situations are described below. This discussion does not include remote training collars.

Traditional dog collars are the most common and simplest type of dog collars available. They come in various sizes, colours and styles. Do note that these types of collars are best suited for dogs with no obedience issues and are easy to control. In general these types of dog collars are made from either leather or nylon, each of which has their own pros and cons.

Traditional Leather Dog Collars

Traditional leather dog collars are favoured because of their classic look. Some of these collars are plain and simple, though there are also those which are styled with embroidery, studs, and other kinds of embellishments. Either way, these types of dog collars can be pretty expensive. As such, it is not recommended for puppies since they can quickly outgrow their collars and will need a new collar soon. Thus, it is best to buy your dog a leather collar only after they are past the puppy stages.

Traditional Nylon Dog Collars

As with leather collars, nylon dog collars also come in different widths and lengths. However, when you visit an animal supplies store, you’ll see that these types of dog collars are available in more colours and styles. They can have either metal or plastic clip closures as locking systems unlike leather collars which only make use of metal buckles.

Though these types of dog collars appear to be more stylish and colourful than their leather counterparts, they are actually lot more affordable. That being said, nylon collars are very much suitable for growing puppies since replacing them won’t be as expensive as it would be in the case of leather collars.

Things to Remember

Whether you choose to buy leather or nylon dog collars, there are certain things that you need to keep in mind. For one, the collar should ride high on your dog’s neck. It should never be too loose that it slides down to your dog’s shoulder blades. However, be sure it is not very tight that it restricts the proper breathing of your dog. Another is that you should get a dog collar that is suitable for your pet’s size—that is, wider and more durable dog collars for bigger and stronger dogs, and lightweight ones for smaller dogs or puppies. Moreover, be sure that you attach a name tag to your dog’s collar just in case they get lost.