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How To Size Your Dog For A Collar

 

How To Choose The Perfect Collar Size For Your Dog 

Having a collar for your dogs is necessary. Collars make it easier to walk them and help with dogs’ identification if they stray away mistakenly. So if you’re a dog owner or want to be one, buying a collar is a decision you need to make wisely. 

When people get a new pup or buy a new collar for their dog, they prioritize factors like color and brand. But what’s essential to consider first is the size of the collar. If the size isn’t correct, there might be problems. An oversized collar can fall off and get lost, while a smaller collar can be painful for your pup and even restrict their breathing. 

Here Is How To Choose A Proper Size Collar For Your Pet 

Ready-Made Collars For Specific Breeds

You can find different collars for different dog breeds. Manufacturers base collar sizes on the expected size of a dog, but they might not fit your dog precisely since every dog is different. You can use them as a guideline for what kind of collars to buy and figure out the right-sized one for your dog.

Measure Your Dog’s Neck

Measuring your dog’s neck is super helpful and will give you a precise idea about what size collar you should buy. Measure the neck with a cloth measuring tape and mark out the dog’s neck’s circumference. If a cloth tape is not available, use a shoestring and then measure its length on a ruler. For the collar size, add one extra inch to this measurement for a small breed dog, two inches for the medium breed, and three inches for a large breed. 

Collars For Growing Pups 

If you just got a newborn puppy or a small dog that’s still growing, you should consider choosing an adjustable collar with lots of notches. Make sure the collar fits snugly on the smaller end, and then you won’t have to spend on collars for a long time.

Leave Space For Fur 

When buying a collar, your dog’s fur needs to be taken into account as well. Dogs with thick fur and long hair need adjustable collars. Measure your dog’s neck before and after getting a trim, and then buy one that fits both measurements and can be adjusted. That way, no matter how long the fur is, the collar will fit.

Buy A Suitably Wide Collar

You need to consider the width and thickness of the collar as well. For larger breeds, wider and thicker options are suitable to provide support. For smaller dogs, those can be heavy, so buy lighter and thinner collars. If you’re unsure what width to go with, a standard one and a half inches wide collar will work just fine.

Examine The Collar Regularly 

It’s not all to buy a good collar; you should frequently check if it fits the dog well. For a small breed, you should be able to put a finger under it. For medium and large dogs, two and three fingers, respectively.

Conclusion 

Buy a collar that fits well and leaves room for some movement and easy breathing. You can refer to dog collar size charts for reference too. If you still have confusion, visit a veterinarian to make sure.