Dog Collar Buyer's Guide

Measuring Your Dog | "NS" vs. "CS" | ID Plates | Choosing a Material | Choosing a Style

Before you do anything else -- measure your dog's neck!

Just watch the video. Measure your dog's neck. It'll save you the hassle of returning a collar that doesn't fit!

What's the difference between "Neck Sized" and "Collar Sized?"

• Most of the collars we sell are "Neck Sized" or "NS" collars. NS collar sizes are determined by measuring from the center of the buckle to one of the adjustment holes. When you measure your dog's neck for an NS collar, that measurement IS the collar size you need.
• A few of our collars are "Collar Sized" or "CS" collars. Their sizes are measured from the buckle to the tip or end of the collar. To properly fit a CS collar, you should add 4-5 inches to your dog's measured neck size to determine which collar size you need.

Your lost dog can't call you.

All of our collars include a FREE stamped brass ID name plate. You can include your name, address, phone numbers, or anything else you feel is pertinent to your dog being returned if they go missing.

We stamp your name plates in-house and attach them with rivets to your dog’s collar by hand. That way they won’t jingle or make noise, and are much less likely to come off. Need to fit more info? Add an additional name plate or a medical alert tag.

We have countless customer success stories of a lost dog being returned as a direct result of having a name plate!

What collar material is best?

Does your dog get wet... a LOT? Get a waterproof collar!

• Biothane Collars: By far our favorite collar material is Biothane. Biothane feels a lot like leather but without the issues associated with natural materials. It's a vinyl-coated webbing that is durable, flexible, stink-proof, doesn't tangle in longer coats, is easy to clean, and doesn't mold or mildew like leather can. Our "BIG DAWG" Biothane collars are made right here at Gun Dog Supply. BIG DAWG collars come in multiple colors, sizes, and styles (see our style comparison below). For puppies and small dogs we offer the Little DAWG, and for those who prefer brass hardware, we have the Big Dawg BRASS series. For added visibility in low light, check out the Big Dawg VISIBILITY reflective collars.
• Day Glow Collars: Day Glow material is plastic-coated nylon. It is more rigid than Biothane with all of the same benefits -- durable, odor-resistant, and easy to clean. Day Glow collars come in multiple styles and colors, as well as reflective and beaded models.
• Wigwag Collars: A third waterproof option is Wigwag collars, which are made from durable injection-molded thermoplastic polyurethane, making them softer and more resistant to cracking. They feature brass hardware and come in a variety of colors and sizes.

If your dog stays mostly high and dry, a leather or nylon collar might be right for you.

• Leather: Natural, classic, and stylish -- we offer a variety of leather collars at several different price points. Leather is one of the world's strongest materials and lasts a long time when taken care of properly. On the downside, you have to care for leather collars a little more, especially if you're working your dogs in water. Some dog trainers prefer leather collars because they don't pull on your dog's neck like nylon or other synthetic materials. Our "Signature" leather collars are our favorite and include our BEST-SELLING dog collar. They have a center-ring design and feature solid brass hardware.
• Nylon: Nylon is very durable, especially our 2-ply nylon collars. Choose from standard, center-ring, and quick-release options, which have the added versatility of being easily adjustable -- great for growing puppies!

What style of collar should I get?

There are four main styles of collars that we offer: Standard, Center-Ring / O-Ring, D-End, and Adjustable Quick-Release.

• Standard collars are designed like a man’s belt. They usually have a metal "D" ring where you can attach a leash. It’s your classic and most common dog collar design.
• Center-Ring / O-Ring collars have a metal ring in the middle which allows the collar to flex more than the material alone would naturally. If your dog gets hung on something, this extra flexibility enables them to potentially free themselves. This is why they are sometimes called "safety collars." The center ring can also be used to attach a leash. A "double-ring collar" is a center-ring collar that also has a separate "D" ring for leash attachment.
• D-End collars are designed where the "D" comes before the buckle. It's our most secure design for use with a leash since your dog actually pulls against two layers of collar material. If they somehow manage to pull the D ring loose, they still won't get free. It’s the best design for hard-pulling dogs.
• Adjustable quick-release collars are typically nylon. They're a good choice for puppies and growing dogs, or for situations where you need to quickly or frequently put on and remove your dog's collar.