Choosing the right collar for your puppy blog post article by ST ARGO

What is the Best Collar for my Puppy?

Looking to find the perfect dog collar for your new family member? Well, you've come to the right place. With over four years of experience sizing puppies for collars, we know exactly what you (and your puppy) will want in a new accessory.

We've broken this main query into a range of subcategories. We're assuming your puppy is between 8-10 weeks of age, with this being said, you'll be looking for a dog collar for them in preference of a harness, because they won't be doing too much rigorous outdoor adventuring until they have had all their vaccinations (at around 12-14 weeks of age).

Here's what we're advising on:

1. choosing the right collar size for your puppy;

2. choosing the right collar material for your puppy;

3. accessorising your puppy for the season; and

4. making sure you have the right collar for your puppy's breed.

 

Choosing the Right Collar Size for Your Puppy
As it's most likely your puppy's first time wearing a collar, making sure they are introduced to the collar in a comfortable way, so as not to scare them off, is imperative. That's why it's so important to ensure your puppy has been properly sized for their collar.
The best way to size your puppy is to take a soft tape measure or string and place it around their neck where the collar will sit.  Insert one index finger underneath the tape measure to allow for a little 'wiggle room', ensuring the collar is not too tight or too loose, allowing for a comfortable fit. If using a string, mark the point where it overlaps, and then measure the length against a ruler. Experts suggest selecting a collar with an adjustable range within a few centimetres of your pup's neck. This allows you to fine-tune the fit as your puppy grows. Keep in mind, you don't want the fit to be too big, leaving lots of excess material for small (but sharp) puppy teeth to gnaw on!
How to measure your puppy for a collar without a ruler
Then, using this figure, head to our size guide to check this measurement against our sizing. Remember, dog collar sizing is not universal. It changes from brand to brand. An extra-small with another brand won't necessarily have the same measurements as what the extra-small does in ST ARGO. So it's always best practice to check against the size guide of the particular brand.
But what do you do if you are ordering for a friend? Or purchasing the dog collar for a puppy you haven't got yet? Of course the above measuring technique won't work if you don't physically have your pup. We can make two suggestions:
1. Ask your breeder for the puppy's measurement; or
2. Reach out to the ST ARGO team for a recommendation.
We have YEARS of experiencing in recommending sizes. We'll ask things like what age your pup is and what breed they are to gain an understanding of exactly how big they are and recommend a size accordingly. We might even ask for a recent photo of the puppy to get more of an understanding. What's more, we have super speedy response times to enquiries and always love seeing photos of puppies!

how to measure your puppy without having them yet

Remember, puppies grow quickly, so it's essential to periodically check and adjust the collar size to ensure a comfortable and safe fit. Regularly inspect the collar for any signs of wear and tear, and replace it if needed to maintain your puppy's safety and comfort.

What is the Best Sort of Collar for a Puppy?

We've already discussed how an adjustable puppy collar is preferable, giving your dog room to grow within safe and secure limitations. But what about the material of the collar? And is it better to opt for a thicker or thinner puppy collar?

When it comes to the material that is preferable for a puppy, there is a large variety to choose from. The main two options on the market are leather (or, in our case, vegan leather) and nylon.

The main attraction to nylon collars is that they are much cheaper and they are lightweight, which is good for the bank account and a small puppy neck! However, nylon is not as strong as leather dog collars, and tends to fray. We tend to see this even more so when puppy's wear nylon collars, because they are still learning not to chew or fiddle with their collar. 

It's no use selecting a puppy collar that is too large.

For this reason we do recommend something a little sturdier than nylon. The main drawback with animal leather collars is that they are fairly heavy - particularly for a puppy. 

That's just one of the reasons we developed the vegan leather material that we use for all of our products. The vegan leather is leather-look but human made and lightweight. This is an excellent option for puppies of all sizes, plus its far superior in durability to nylon dog collars. 

Why ST ARGO collars are superior to nylon puppy dog collars.

Another important consideration when deciding on a puppy collar is the closure. There are two main closure options on the mainstream market - traditional buckle and quick-release closures. Quick-release collars are popular for cats and highly active dogs that climb and may be prone to getting caught in fences or trees. We do not recommend a quick-release collar for your puppy, particularly when they are leashed. If the collar pops open on a walk, this has the potential to result in disaster for your pooch. 

The ST ARGO dog collar features a traditional buckle closure that is tried and tested for quality, safety and aesthetics. 

Accessorising Your Dog for the Season

Another consideration to take into account when selecting a puppy collar is the season and weather. Are you planning to take your puppy for lots of beach trips? Is it winter and you're looking for a nice dark colour for the season?

We have a range of seasonal colours in our catalogue. The Ruby Red and Bottle Green are perfect dark winter tones, whilst the Pale Pink, Soft Blue and Lilac are well-suited to spring strolls with your pooch!

When it comes to the climate, the ST ARGO dog collar is highly durable due to the cutting-edge vegan leather material used. The vegan leather is finished with an oil coating to help protect against abrasive substances, and the interior is assembled with a meshing that securely binds the fabric. Plus, we've invested significant R&D into producing high quality hardware finishes. The hardware is completely customised and lightweight enough to be comfortable, whilst sturdy enough to endure whatever adventures your puppy has in store for it!

quick release collars are not safe for dogs on leads

Please remember, whilst the ST ARGO collar is durable, it is still a luxury product and we do not recommend use in the ocean. Water combined with the salt will work to degrade the buttery soft material. This type of damage is also not covered under our warranty. 

Making Sure you Have Selected the Right Collar for your Breed

In general, a puppy wearing a collar in the house has minimal risks. However, when you start to walk your pooch and there is now a leash attached to the collar, you will need to consider whether this is best for your pup!

There are some dog breeds which have particularly delicate necks, who we would recommend avoiding wearing a dog collar. The main breeds to avoid wearing dog collars on walks are: Poodles; Yorkshire Terriers; and Greyhounds. These breeds are particularly suited to wearing a harness whilst on walks or a specialised collar for delicate necks, such as a martingale. 

Now that you are equipped with the knowledge on what the best collar is for your puppy it's time to get out the tape measure and have a shop!

Love this article for puppies? Read about leash training your puppy in this blog post.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know what size collar to get my puppy? 

To determine the appropriate size collar for your puppy, it's recommended to measure their neck circumference using a flexible measuring tape. ST ARGO provides a size chart with specific measurements to help you select the right collar size for your puppy based on their neck measurement.

What size collar for a newborn puppy? 

For newborn puppies, it is advisable to choose an adjustable collar that can accommodate their changing size. ST ARGO offers adjustable collar options specifically designed for puppies, allowing for a comfortable fit as they grow.

What width should a puppy collar be? 

When selecting a collar width for your puppy, consider their breed, size, and comfort. ST ARGO offers a range of collar widths suitable for puppies, typically ranging from 1cm to 3cm. Smaller breeds or toy-sized puppies may benefit from narrower widths, while larger breeds may require wider collars for proper support and durability. Check the product descriptions and guidelines provided to select the most suitable width for your puppy's needs.

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Staffy in Ruby Red Dog Harness

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