Shih Tzus were specifically bred to become companion dogs. They have the cuteness that you'll enjoy carrying around when going to parks, beaches, outings, and flights. The coat is incredibly fluffy, the face is smooth, and the eyes look big for his size. Their small sizes mean you don't need lots of space to own one, which is a plus for apartment living.
Probably, that's why these dogs are popular. The American Kennel Club registration shows that Shih Tzus are the 15th most popular dogs out of 200 registered breeds in the US. They are the seventh most popular dogs in the UK, and the most popular breed in Israel.
However, the flat face makes Shih Tzus a brachycephalic breed. That means these dogs are susceptible to breathing problems just like the French Bulldogs and the Boston Terriers. The condition makes it super challenging to choose a collar for these cute pups.
A poorly-designed or ill-fitting collar will exert pressure on the trachea, limit the airflow and worsen the condition. But don't worry. In this guide, we'll explore the things to consider when choosing a Shih Tzu collar, give you recommendations of the collars we have tested, and show you how you can properly fit a collar on a Shih Tzu.
Best Collars for Shih Tzus - Lightweight and Elegant for Your Small Companion
There are many collars in the market, some tailored for the giant and hyperactive breeds and others for the small and gentle breeds. Before we dive into which collars work best for Shih Tzus, let's first see which category they fall under, as well as their body size, behavior, and health considerations.
Shih Tzus weigh around 9 to 16 pounds, and have a standing height of about 9 to 10.5 inches. In most countries, this size falls under the toy group category. However, most collar manufacturers don't include the toy group, so you might have to go for the small category. When it comes to their inner being, these dogs are devoted, lively, and friendly. However, the most unique thing about the Shih Tzus is the coat.
These dogs have incredibly beautiful hair that flows and sweeps the ground. The hair around the head area grows in all directions. This makes it the face to look like a flower, with the nose sitting at the center. Probably these looks are what made Shih Tzus to be the most loved dogs by the royal families in China, where the breed originated.
However, this flowing hair means you need to be careful when choosing the collar. A wrong collar will cause friction and make the hair shafts barbed, causing mats. As we mentioned, Shih Tzus are also a brachycephalic breed, and you can expect the following breathing abnormalities.
- Hypoplastic trachea: The diameter of the trachea is smaller than the normal size. This limits the passage of air.
- Everted laryngeal saccules: The sacs located inside the larynx turn outwards or get sucked into the air passage by the pressure created by the higher-than-normal respiratory effort. The everted sacs further obstruct the air passage.
- Laryngeal collapse: The stress on the larynx cartilage by the things associated with the brachycephalic condition makes the voice box unable to open as wide as it should. This limits the flow of air.
- Elongated soft palate: The soft palate of the soft part on the mouth roof is too long compared to the mouth size. The excess length somehow obstructs the entrance to the windpipe, affecting the flow of air.
- Stenotic nares: The nostrils themselves are small and narrow due to the flat face and skin folds. This narrowing limits the amount of air flowing.
Keep in mind that brachycephalic airway syndrome is a chronic hereditary condition and can manifest in one or more of the above abnormalities. According to AllShihTzu, the condition affects around 50 percent of Shih Tzus.
The only thing you can do is to prevent the condition from worsening, and that starts by picking the right collar. Remember that the collar wraps around the neck, which is a super sensitive area for our brachycephalic Shih Tzus. Here are things to check to make sure the collar is safe for these pups.
Weight
Shih Tzus are small dogs with breathing problems. You want to keep the weight of the accessories as low as possible to avoid exhausting them, which would demand heavy panting. The weight of the collar mainly depends on the material. Avoid collars made of heavy materials like stainless steel chain collars and leather collars.
Instead, go for lightweight collars made of fabrics like nylon, polyester and cotton. But because nylon is the sturdiest and most reliable material of the three lightweight materials, we recommend getting a nylon collar. If possible, go for collars that weigh less than 10 ounces.
Breathability
Thousands of dogs are treated for heat strokes related symptoms. According to Austin Veterinary, fatality rates from the condition ranges around 50 percent. But the risk is higher for brachycephalic dogs like the Shih Tzus. Brachycephalic breeds are twice as likely to suffer from heat strokes compared to other breeds.
Considering that Shih Tzus' coat insulates heat, increasing the risks, it's advisable to get a moisture-wicking and breathable collar. Again, nylon is the best option. It's a synthetic hydrophobic material that resists the penetration of water.
So, it allows moisture and sweat to move from the dog's body to the outside for evaporation, creating a cooling effect. The material also allows air to pass through the fibers, which cools the dog.
Design
Shih Tzus are cute, and you want to get them elegant collars. Otherwise, you'll spoil their cuteness and beat the reason for adopting one. Some of the things to consider for elegance are the color of the nylon webbing, the plating of the buckles, the font, and the placement of writings and logos.
For the collar to blend well with the dog's coat, we suggest you match the collar color to one of the main coat colors. For instance, if your Shih Tzu is primarily black, get a black collar. When it comes to closures, go for those ones with PVD gold plated buckles. They look more classy and luxurious than the silver finish.
Best Collars for Shih Tzus
As we mentioned, Shih Tzus are incredibly cute, and also brachycephalic. That means you'll want a collar that meets the unique needs of brachycephalic breeds, without sacrificing the elegance. Of all the collars we have tested, here are the ones that met these conditions.
Gold Noir 1.5-inch Tacti Luxe Slim Dog Collar
Although Shih Tzus are companion dogs that spend lots of time on the couch and have a people-pleasing nature, they aren't so good at learning things. On average, Shih Tzus obeys commands less than 25 percent of the time. That means training these dogs requires consistency, and it's a lifetime process.
At the same time, they are brachycephalic, and you can't train them using the martingale and choke collars. These collars limit the airflow, making the dog uncomfortable and stop pulling. But it's a risky process for a dog with existing breathing problems like Shih Tzus. The best solution for long term, risk-free training is the Gold Noir 1.5-inch Tacti Luxe Slim Dog Collar.
The collar is designed as a standard collar, not a training collar. It won't tighten and limit the airflow when there is pressure on the lead. Since the design is standard, you can still use it for everyday wear, not just training. What makes this collar work well as a training collar is its strength.
The fabric is made of 1050D nylon webbing. That is the sturdy nylon that makes protective police belts and safety gear for mountaineers. The D-rings are then made of metal instead of plastic. This makes the collar incredibly sturdy and reliable.
Apple 1.5-inch Tacti Slim Dog Collar
The Apple 1.5-inch Tacti Slim Dog Collar is similar to the above collar in design. But we want to mention something about comfort. As we said, Shih Tzus has a long, flowing overcoat that's dense and not curly. The undercoat is moderate and non-wooley.
The long, flowing hairs are what mark the cuteness of this breed. But, they're delicate. If the collar rubs them, they break. The dog ends up with an unhealthy-looking coat, and if the friction continues over time, the area becomes a bald spot. Another issue is that the friction can cause tangles and mats.
The mats are painful to the dog, and you'll also have to groom the dog much more frequently. The benefit of using this specific collar is that it comes all lined with neoprene in the inside part, the part in contact with the dog's hair. The material is soft, stretchy, and smooth compared to nylon, making it a great way to cushion the hairs from the tough 1050D nylon webbing.
Grape 1.5-inch Tacti Slim Dog Collar
One thing that most dog owners don't consider is the surface area the collar covers in relation to the weight of the dog. Remember, the laws of pressure apply in dog collars. The bigger the surface area of the collar, the minimal the pressure per square inch. The reason why the Grape 1.5-inch Tacti Slim Dog Collar is an excellent choice for the brachycephalic Shih Tzus is the width.
This collar is 1.5 inch wide, which means the pressure distribution is much better compared to narrower collars like 1-inch collars. In fact, the 1.5-inch works perfectly fine even for large breeds like the German Shepherds, leave alone the 15 pound Shih Tzus. The collar won't dig into the skin and affect the airflow.
Another thing is that Shih Tzus are one of the dog breeds most prone to tracheal collapse. A narrow collar that sits on the trachea cartilage rings accelerates the condition. But for the Grape 1.5-inch Tacti Slim Dog Collar, the wide width means the entire neck carries the pressure on the lead, minimizing the risks of tracheal collapse.
Black 1.5-inch Tacti Lite Dog Collar
The limited airflow and inability to pant efficiently make Shih Tzus susceptible to heat strokes. The risk is higher in summer when the weather is hot. Remember, the long and fluffy double coat insulates the heat, increasing the risks of heat stroke. You don't want to worsen things by wearing the dog a collar that exhausts it or further insulates heat.
That is why the Black 1.5-inch Tacti Lite Dog Collar is the best choice during summer. As the name suggests, this collar is designed to be lightweight. Unlike the above collars, this collar doesn't come with neoprene lining. This causes a drastic reduction in weight, weighing 5 ounces only.
Another advantage is that without neoprene, which is a synthetic rubber that causes allergies to some dogs, the collar is hypoallergenic. Also, the lack of padding means that the dog takes the full benefit of nylon's breathability.
That means this collar can't in any way contribute to your furry friend's overheating. But as a pro tip, always have plenty of clean drinking water for your Shih Tzu during hot weather.
How to Properly Fit a Collar on a Shih Tzu
As we said, Shih Tzus falls under the toy size category, which many manufacturers don't include in their sizing categories. So, you'll most likely find the right collar size under the small category. On average, Shih Tzus have neck sizes of about 10 to 14 inches. But since this is a brachycephalic breed, we don't recommend buying collars that are so fitting. Go for a slightly larger size.
Shit Tzus have moderate energy and are generally couch dogs, so you don't expect them to wiggle their way free and escape even when using a slightly larger collar. After all, it's better for a dog to escape than to end up with a flattened trachea.
We also highly recommend getting an adjustable collar. Remember, you're dealing with a small breed dog, and small dogs are prone to obesity due to their low calorie needs and compact body. An adjustable collar gives room for the weight fluctuations.
Conclusion
Shih Tzus are one of the cutest dogs, thanks to their compact bodies, flat faces, and flowing hair. But the flat face causes breathing problems, which you must avoid worsening. The one main thing that worsens the condition is a low-quality, poorly designed, or ill-fitting collar. That's why we recommend the above collars, as the design and material align with the unique needs of a Shih Tzu.