4 Best Dog Collars for Active Labrador Retrievers

Labrador Retrievers are one of the most loved dog breeds and have been the most popular breed for over 31 years in the U.S. One of the reasons why this breed is loved is its gentle temperament. They go well with other family members, pets, and other dogs.

It's one of the dog breeds you can feel comfortable accompanying you in public places like parks and hiking trails, knowing there won't be fights and attacks. These dogs are also playful and energetic. In fact, they easily become hyperactive and destructive if they don't get enough exercise for physical and mental stimulation.

If you don't have a collar that can help control these playful dogs, well, they can easily wander off or destroy things. In this guide, we'll walk you through the features to check when buying a collar that can keep a Labrador under control. We'll also give you recommendations of the collars we have tested and confirmed that the quality is superb.   

4 Best Dog Collars for Active Labrador Retrievers

 

As the name suggests, Labrador Retrievers were initially bred to help retrieve animals shot by hunters. The dog was bred in Newfoundland, Canada, to help fishermen haul lines and retrieve flash that escaped from the fishing nets. 

Later, the dog was interbred with other breeds like the Setter and the Newfoundland to produce the Labrador Retriever we know today, which can retrieve game in both water and land. These dogs are one of the fastest dog breeds. They can hit a speed of 12 miles per hour in about 3 seconds, with an average running speed of 20 miles per hour.

Another thing is that Labrador Retrievers are large and strong. A male Lab weighs 65 to 80 pounds, and has a standing height of 22.5 to 24.5 inches. A female Lab weighs 55 to 70 pounds, and has a standing height of 21.5 to 23.5 inches. 

Although most Labradors nowadays are pets and service dogs, their retrieving instincts make them love to swim, run, and play, especially fetching games. You can imagine the force on the collar if a Lab throws this weight at such a high speed during walks or a normal play session.

If the collar is not sturdy enough, it'll break. Or, if the collar doesn't have the right width, it'll dig into the neck skin. So, to make sure you get a sturdy, reliable, and comfortable collar that can withstand the Lab's pulling force and rough play, make sure it has the following features.

Durable

Labrador Retrievers grow relatively fast and reach adult sizes at around six months to one year. Then, you can expect a Labrador to give you companionship for another 10 to 12 years. So, when buying a collar, keep in mind that you'll stay with him for more than a decade, and you need a collar that lasts for years.

Usually, the durability of collars boil down to the material. The common collar materials are nylon, leather, cotton and polyester. The two materials known for durability are real leather and high-density nylon webbing.

Leather collars are a no-go-zone for Labradors. These dogs love swimming. Water strips natural oils from leather, making it dry and brittle after drying.  The only viable option is nylon. We suggest you go for collars made of high-density webbing, starting from 1000D upwards.

Comfortable

Collars are one of the accessories a dog wears all day long. Remember, collars sit at the juncture of the spine and neck, just in front of the trachea. This area is sensitive and delicate. If the collar is not well padded, it can damage the dog's trachea when he lunges.

The feeling is also painful. Whether you're leash-training the dog, or it's a normal walk, you want to keep aversive sensation at the minimum. Keep in mind that Labradors are the 7th most intelligent dog breeds according to Coren's dog intelligence ranking. He can easily know collars that  are causing discomfort, and start refusing to wear them.

If you force him, he can start avoiding you as well - breaking the bond between you. So, make sure you go for a wide collar for better pressure distribution. The collar must also be padded to prevent direct pressure on the neck skin.

Quick-Drying

Labs were generally made for the water, right from their physical characteristics. These dogs have an otter tail that they use as a rudder when swimming. They also have webbed feet which increases the paddling surface area.

Water is like their natural habitat, and it's virtually impossible to separate them from water. The best thing you can do is to get them a water-resistant, quick drying collar. This offers two advantages.

• Quick-drying materials usually don't absorb water. As a result, the collar remains lightweight, making it easier for the dog to swim.
• Quick-drying means there's no time for bacteria to breed. So, there are minimal chances of your dog getting skin irritations and infections.

Best Collars for Labrador Retrievers

There are so many collars in the market nowadays. Even after knowing the features to look out for, it's still challenging to pick the right collar. But worry not. We have tried and tested many collars, and here are the ones that work best for a Labrador Retriever.

Honeydew 2-inch Luxe Martingale Collar

Both Canada and the U.S. have laws that prohibit loose dogs. That means you can't walk with your dog in public places like restaurants, beaches, sidewalks, parks, and hiking trails without a leash. So, the very first thing you need to do after adopting your Labrador is leash-train him.

As we mentioned, Labs are strong dogs and can easily drag you if they unexpectedly sprint and pull on a leash, especially when using a long leash. That is where the Honeydew 2-in Luxe Martingale Collar comes in.

This collar allows you to use positive reinforcement leash-training, while maintaining control over your furry friend. When the dog pulls and there is tension on the leash, the collar tightens, making the dog uncomfortable. This discourages pulling.

The good thing with the Honeydew 2-in Luxe Martingale collar is that it doesn't tighten all the way like a choke collar. That means the collar can't choke your dog, even when caught by an object such as a tree branch when hiking.

The collar is 2 inches wide. The bigger surface area means minimal pressure per square inch. As a result, this collar doesn't dig into the dog's neck skin even when fully tightened. This prevents irritations and chafing, a common problem with many martingale collars.

Gold Cognac 2-in Luxe Dog Collar

After training your dog, you need a standard collar for everyday use - at home, during hikes, camping trips, visits to dog parks and beaches, and exercise walks and jogs. The best option is the Gold Cognac 2-in Luxe Dog Collar.

It's one of the collars designed with the strength, rough play and hyperactive nature of Labrador Retrievers in mind. The collar is made of 1050D nylon. This is the same density of nylon webbing that's used to make police belts, backpacks, motorcycle gear, kayak covers, horse blankets, flak jackets and safety harness for mountain climbers.

In fact, this webbing is called ballistic nylon, as it was used to make military jackets for protecting soldiers from shrapnel in World War II. So, when we say this collar is made of 1050D nylon, we mean it's virtually unbreakable, regardless of how rough, energetic, and destructive your Labrador is.

Another thing is that this collar comes with dual release buckles. This design is more of a safety feature. If the collar is caught by something, like a fence as the dog tries to escape, or a branch when hiking, you just press the quick-release buckle, and your furry friend is free.

Another thing is that dual-release buckles are easier to close. You just wrap the collar around the dog's neck, and click-close it in place. This is a big advantage when dealing with a hyperactive Labrador Retriever who won't hold in place even for 5 seconds.

Chocolate Rose-Gold 1.5-inch Tacti Slim Dog Collar

The Chocolate Rose-Gold 1.5-inch Tacti Slim Dog Collar comes with metal D-rings and is made of 1050D nylon webbing, just like the above collar. The main difference between the two collars is the width.

This one comes with a width of 1.5 inches. We talked about pressure distribution, but we never mentioned weight. It's usually a trade-off. A slim collar means less nylon webbing, so less weight. For instance, this collar weighs 8 ounces, which is 2.5 ounces lighter compared to the above collar.

For a well-trained Labrador Retriever, this collar is a better option as he no longer pulls on leash, and there's no need of weighing him down with a wider and heavier collar. But if you're transitioning from martingale collars to standard collars, we still recommend the above 2-inch Luxe collar.

Another thing you might love about this collar is the chocolate color. Labradors usually come in three colors: yellow, black, and chocolate. If your Lab is chocolate, this collar will blend seamlessly with the dog's coat color. In fact, people can't tell if your dog has a collar without a closer look.  

Black Expedition Dog Collar

If you love classic looks, then the Black Expedition Dog Collar is the best option. This collar comes with a dual-pinned buckle, making it look like a classic belt. As we said, the temperament of a Labrador is so good, and you'll probably want it to accompany you in family gatherings and outings on the beaches.

If you're planning to match outfits with your furry friend during these outings, let your Lab wear this collar, and then you wear a black, dual-pinned belt. The collar also blends well with the coat color of black Labs, just as the chocolate collar with chocolate Labs.

Like other collars in this list, the Black Expedition Dog Collar is made of 1050D nylon. So, there are no worries of breakage even during rough plays. The collar comes with a set of holes, which gives you the flexibility to adjust the sizing depending on your dog's weight.

The only issue is that the distance between a set of holes means you can't get a precise fitting as you would with the above collars. On the good side, there are many holes, and you'll still get a great fit for your furry friend even after drastic weight fluctuations.

Another thing is that the inside of this collar is lined with neoprene. We have seen collars lined with sponge and such materials to improve the comfort. But these materials usually don't work for Labrador Retrievers. These dogs love swimming, and sponge usually soaks water and becomes heavy.

It's also a breeding ground for bacteria, which results in skin irritations and bad odors. Neoprene is water-resistant and quick-drying. In fact, it's the material that makes swimsuits. This makes the collar ideal for all activities, from sports and hiking to swimming. 

How to Properly Fit a Collar on a Labrador Retriever

Size determines the comfort and safety of your furry friend. A large collar means the dog can wiggle its way free and escape. On the other hand, an undersized collar can cut your dog's airflow, choking it. Excessive pressure on the neck also affects hair growth, causing bald spots.

That means you must get the sizing right. Although the right size depends on the individual dog, here is a general sizing guideline. Most Labrador Retrievers have a neck size of about 15 to 20 inches. Go for a medium-sized collar of about 16 to 24 inches. For the best fit, we recommend collars with adjustable sizes.

You'll be able to size the collar up or down depending on your dog's weight fluctuations. Wrap the collar around your Lab's neck, leaving a space enough to fit three fingers, and then snap it close. The good thing is that Labradors have a broad back skull, and collars can't slip out as easily compared to breeds like Greyhounds. So, the collar doesn't have to fit snugly.

Conclusion

We believe Labrador Retrievers are the best breed to own. They are intelligent, easy to train, and go well with children and other pets. But since these dogs are energetic and can be hyperactive, we recommend getting one of the above high-quality collars to help keep your Lab under control.